Nick Wilson/Daily Mining Gazette OHM representative Jared Hyrkas (left) presents construction plans for the Hancock Business and Technology Park as Councilor Richard Freeman (right) looks on.

HANCOCK — The Hancock City Council appointed Lisa McKenzie to an open council seat during a meeting on Wednesday evening.

The position was vacated in February when Will Lytle resigned from the council to take an out-of-state job. Five area residents submitted applications to serve out the remainder of the term, which expires in November, 2022.

Mayor Paul LaBine commended all applicants, but nominated McKenzie, who is a former council member and a former Hancock mayor.

“We have very good candidates, a lot of community activities and background. I think all of these candidates would bring a lot of assets to the council,” said LaBine.

“I’ve decided to nominate Lisa McKenzie, not only for her application and for being a member of WUPPDR, but also for her previous experience on the city council for 18 years, and mayor for five or six years. I think her knowledge, experience, and presence would be a huge asset to the council.”

When asked if McKenzie would run for re-election when the term concludes in November, LaBine described her as “non-committal.”

After a brief discussion, the council approved McKenzie’s appointment by a vote of 5-0, with one absence.

Councilor John Haeussler noted that there will be additional opportunities to run for city council in November, when elections for the four “at-large” council positions take place.

“I’m very happy that we have five candidates and I would add to all of the candidates that there will be minimally four council seats open in November for the election,” he said.

The council also received an update on the Hancock Business and Technology Park, delivered by Jared Hyrkas of OHM Advisors. The park will be established on a 40-acre parcel of land on Lake Annie Road.

Hyrkas presented plans for the construction of a new paved street from Tomasi Drive to Lake Annie Road. He said that the design and planning phase of the project is approximately 75% complete, and that permitting has begun.

Construction could begin as early as May, and is expected to conclude by November.

When the park is complete, it will include 19 commercial lots where businesses will be encouraged to develop. Businesses interested in establishing in the park will submit proposals to the council for evaluation.

The council concluded the meeting by discussing several business items including a draft of Zoning Ordinance No. 309. This draft was submitted by the Hancock Planning Commission, and would make changes to the city’s zoning.

The council elected to table the issue until all councilors had the chance to inspect the draft more thoroughly. They scheduled a work session on March 23 to discuss the issue further.

Additional business items included the appointment of Kevin Kalinec to the Hancock Board of Review, approval of the capital improvement plan as recommended by the Hancock Planning Commission, and the approval of a National Functional Classification (NFC) request to designate Dolomite Drive as a major collector route.

The next Hancock City Council meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 16.