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Mount Clemens approves Consumers Energy lease for North River Road lot after market concerns
Summary
The Mount Clemens City Commission approved a license agreement allowing Consumers Energy to use the city-owned lot at 135 North River Road as a temporary laydown yard, while directing the city manager to coordinate an aesthetic plan and consult the farmers market about relocation and timing.
The Mount Clemens City Commission voted to approve a license agreement allowing Consumers Energy to use the city-owned parking lot at 135 North River Road as a temporary laydown yard to support regional gas infrastructure work.
City Manager Shipman told the commission the proposed agreement would run from Dec. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2026, and—per the staff presentation—stated Consumers Energy would provide $140,104,000 in lease revenue during that period, with an option to extend month-to-month at $8,000 per month. Shipman said the planned use would include parking for construction and personal vehicles, placement of an office trailer and staging for materials, and that Consumers would provide 24/7 on-site security and coordinate with the city to maintain a safe work environment.
Commissioners expressed support for the revenue opportunity but raised multiple concerns about impacts to the farmers market, visual impacts along North River Road and site restoration after the lease. One commissioner said, “I have concerns about voting on something that we haven't brought the stakeholders together to understand,” urging staff to hear from market representatives before final implementation. Shipman said staff had previously discussed potential relocation options with market organizers and proposed signage, social media outreach and a site map to notify patrons if the market moved temporarily.
To address aesthetic and operational concerns, the motion approved by the commission included authorization for the city manager to work with Consumers Energy on an aesthetic plan addressing the commission's concerns; staff also committed to contacting the farmers market board for input and to report back. The commission approved the motion on a roll-call vote.
What happens next: the city manager will continue negotiations with Consumers Energy, develop the agreed aesthetic plan and reach out to the farmers market and the DDA to coordinate notice and mitigation steps before the start date specified in the agreement.
