Parents in Partnership gets zoning OK

Group plans to

build day care

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Parents in Partnership, which is planning a daycare facility for up to 87 children, initially got the New Ulm Planning Commission's approval Thursday for rezoning land being purchased from the New Ulm Diocese.

P-i-P also received approval of a conditional use permit for operating the facility on the rezoned property, as well as approval of two preliminary plats. The matter now goes to the City Council, which will conduct a public hearing at its May 7 regular meeting.

The triangular-shaped property being purchased is in Oak Bluffs Third Addition and is bounded by County State Aid Highway 27, North Highland Avenue and overlaps 8th North Street which is being vacated.

The property is zoned R-A (Agricultural Residence District), and the rezoning will be to R-1 (Single Family Residence District). In order for the facility to operate on the land, it needed a conditional use permit.

"The city will classify the facility an educational facility since that's what it really is," Community Development Director Dave Schnobrich told the commission, "so that it can qualify for a conditional use permit on that property."

Commissioner Joel Albrecht, concerned about having alley access to the back of the property, asked if Parents in Partnership would agree to a 20-foot alley easement along where the street would have gone. They would, he was told.

Robert Pietz, who lives on Park Lane near where it deadends into CSAH 27, brought up pedestrian traffic safety concerns because there is no sidewalk on the property. The commission granted the permit with the conditions that it be reviewed by the Safety Council for its recommendations, as well as receiving city staff approval of its site plan.

Concerns were raised about adequate parking on the site. The commission was told 16 parking stalls were planned to accommodate staff parking and drop-off and pick-up parking. However, a full staff would constitute 16 persons, they were told, but only about 10 or 11 would be on site at any given time.

"That leaves only five spots for parents visiting or dropping off or picking up children," said Commissioner Bob Beussman. "I'm really worried about the amount of parking, particularly during drop-offs and pick-ups, because with that many children, there's going to be a lot of traffic."

The commission also was told the daycare center would have to pay $3,000 fees for hooking up water and sewer to the location.

The commission also approved a revised preliminary and final plat of Oak HIlls First Addition.

The Board of Zoning Adjustment gave its approval to an application by District 88 for a variance to permit construction of a 45-square-foot electronic sign/reader board sign in the New Ulm Senior High School parking lot near the Garden Street entrance. The 9-foot-by-5-foot sign will be 8 feet off the ground.

It also approved the application of Firmenich, Inc. to build a warehouse within zero feet of the street right-of-way. Because there is a 120-foot easement, the front of the warehouse would be 40 feet from the curb.