Lamplighter attorney presents options for vent

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Attorney Reed H. Glawe presented a trio of options to the New Ulm Economic Development Authority on Tuesday regarding the Lamplighter Bar and Grill Easement Agreement and grease, noise and smell issues.

Glawe presented a letter written by Mankato engineer Tony Effenberger dated April 27, to Lamplighter owner Brian Landreville regarding construction of an enclosure around existing kitchen hood exhausters on the building's exterior.

Effenberger said the building code does not prohibit building an enclosure but would require a variance from the adjoining property owner, (The City of New Ulm, which owns Kiesling Park).

He noted that since the two existing exhaust fans are 12 feet above the ground, structures more than 6 feet tall are considered a building that may or may not require existing building modification.

Another option was exhausting kitchen grease hoods at the rear of the building with one fan. This option would require second-floor apartment steps modification but would eliminate the property line issue.

The cost of the rear exhaust option was estimated at $11,000, which was much less than the other options.

EDA President Pat Brennan said the board wanted to find an option that would be agreeable to everyone.

Assistant City Manager Tom MacAulay said an EDA rehabilitative loan could be used to help fund the project.

A decade ago, Landreville obtained a "light and air" easement for the south 25 feet of Kiesling Park. A lease allowed parking lot construction and window sill and trim minor encroachment.

Other EDA facts:

* the existing house program has an operating surplus of $17,723.44

* rental properties fund operating surplus was $17,466.04 as of March 31.

* the Broadway Haus had 10 on the waiting list for a one-bedroom unit and two pending applications

* three are on the waiting list and two applications are pending for 2, 3, and 4-bedroom family units

* St. Michael's Apartments has eight waiting for 1-bedroom units and one pending application

* the EDA investment pool operating fund was at $552,206.02 as of March 31.

* EDA funds available for loans totalled $117,539.59 as of April 30. There is currently one pending loan. No new loans have been received this year.

* EDA has made 49 loans totalling $631,847.55 since October 1991.

* there are 32 EDA current loans for $293,272.14