The Planning Commission on Oct. 27 had done the same on the site plan application submitted by Cornerstone Environmental Group – a Tetra Tech Company on behalf of Omaha Track Inc.

Cornerstone Environment Group indicated operating hours will be 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., City Manager James R. McNeil said. It also will be about 500 meters from most surrounding properties.

“The noise level would be comparable to what they described as ‘truck traffic or construction activities,'” McNeil reported.

Tetra Tech also has a dust control plan, using a misting and water system to counteract dust stirred up by the railroad activity.

Escanaba's South 18th Street will be chip-sealed after the city council authorized the project Thursday. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

These plans will be regulated under a permit from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, or EGLE. With the council’s approval, the Cornerstone Environmental Group may now complete the EGLE permitting process.

In other news, the council:

— Authorized proposed street improvements on South 18th Street from 20th to 22nd Avenues South after having a second public hearing on the matter. The city will construct a 24-foot-wide, double chip seal roadway overlay treatment in that area. McNeil suggested the council acknowledge future special assessments may be required for future work on the area.

— Passed a resolution to approve and verify Dedicated Source of Repayment for the Michigan Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund, or MiSTRLF. The city is pursuing financial assistance for its Stormwater and Wastewater Management Project, which will also leverage federal funding through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, according to the memorandum from McNeil. He assured the council they do have money to repay the loan, whether they use street funds, general fund or Tax Increment Financing revenues. The total cost is estimated at $3,885,870, with an anticipated HMGP federal share of $2,914,402.50.

— Approved special event applications for the Christmas Tree Lighting and the Christmas Parade. The Christmas Tree Lighting will take place Tuesday, Nov. 25, requiring closure of South 11th Street from Ludington Street to the alley. The Christmas Parade is set for Friday, Dec. 5, and will require closing Ludington Street from Fifth Street to Stephenson Avenue, with the parade being on Stephenson Avenue from Ludington Street to First Avenue North.