Escanaba council clears holiday street closures, schedules rezoning hearing and announces board vacancies

The Escanaba City Council approved two downtown special events Nov. 25 and scheduled a public hearing for a zoning ordinance change.

Council approved a special event application from the Downtown Development Authority to close South 11th Street from Ludington Street to the alley for a Christmas tree lighting on Nov. 25, contingent on proof of insurance naming the city as an additional insured and on event sponsors providing cleanup labor and materials. The council also approved a Christmas parade route closing Ludington Street from 5th Street to Stevenson Avenue and portion of Stevenson Avenue for the parade on Dec. 5, with the same insurance and cleanup conditions.

Administration presented the first reading of Ordinance 1315, a Residential C rezoning ordinance that staff said would permit a condominium development on property adjacent to C‑multifamily zoning. Council set Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, for the second reading, public hearing and possible adoption; public notice will be provided.

The clerk announced vacant seats on the board of library trustees, historic preservation commission, housing commission and zoning board of appeals and invited interested residents to apply. In announcements, the clerk reported roughly 16% turnout in the Nov. election, with 1,660 ballots cast including absentee voting, and thanked election inspectors and deputy clerk Tammy Weiser. The council also noted the Escanaba Eskimos football team advancing to the playoffs and encouraged community support.

No objections to the event permits, the ordinance scheduling or the vacancy announcements were recorded in the public meeting transcript.