New industrial

park gets nod

from council

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The New Ulm City Council set the wheels in motion Tuesday to bring more than 23 acres owned by the New Ulm Economic Development Corporation into the city.

The council directed the city attorney to draft an ordinance annexing 23.19 acres on the northwestern city limits as part of the city's new industrial park development.

Industrial Development Coordinator Brian Tohal, who petitioned for annexation on behalf of the New Ulm Economic Development Corporation, told the council this parcel was the first in developing 67 acres for the industrial park.

The council also approved the rezoning of that land from agricultural use to I-1 (planned industrial). City Attorney Hugh Nierengarten said that move would allow including the rezoning in the annexation ordinance.

Capital Improvement

Projects

The CIP projects proposed by City Engineer Steve Koehler would cost an estimated $5,047,655. When projected funding of $2,468,965 is subtracted, that leaves a gross amount of $2,578,690 to be covered by bonding. However, a construction fund carry-over from 2003 utility, street and alley improvements funds of $135,000 reduces the 2004 bonding need to $2,443,690, Koehler said.

With time running out, councilors voted to table discussion of the proposed 2004 CIP until its next meeting, March 16.

In other action, the council:

* Approved the final plat for the Diocese of New Ulm's Oak Bluffs Fourth Addition development, providing all outstanding conditions are met. The plat subdivides the property located north of 8th North Street, east of North Highland Avenue and south of Oak Street into 37 lots and one outlot.

* Ordered in sanitary sewer main, water main, sanitary sewer and water end services, grading, aggregate base and storm sewer on Boulder Drive and Stoneridge Drive in North Ridge Addition. The improvements will serve the proposed HADC Ridgeway assisted living development.

* Approved a preliminary plat of Cottages at Orchard Hill, a development of four four-plex townhouses being proposed by Cottage Builders, Inc. The site is located west of the Kmart Store, south of Karl Drive and east of the Welcome To Our Home assisted-living facility.

* Designated nine properties on South Broadway from 1st South to 4th South streets as heritage preservation landmarks and made the group a heritage preservation district prohibiting painting those brick homes.

* Directed the city attorney to draft a proposed lease agreement with the New Ulm Area Soccer Association for using an unused portion of St. Paul's Cemetery as a soccer field. The proposal is to include a provision for a 4-foot-high chain-link fence to keep spectators from parking in the cemetery which is being used.

John Covington, representing the NUASA, said his organization is still assessing the cost to use that field because the land is now farmed and would have to be groomed for soccer.

"It could be that it might cost upwards of $60,000-$70,000 to do this, and then we would need to explore with the city a way to cover those costs," Covington said.