Home business applications get nod from NU Planning Commission

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The New Ulm Planning Commission approved four applications at a regular meeting Thursday afternoon, but not before several residents had their say.

An application of Renee Retzlaff to operate a catering business office as a home occupation at 110 Monument St. was approved. The property is zoned R-1 (Single Family Residence). Retzlaff said she will do office work in her home.

An application of Barry Zimmerman to operate a heating and air conditioning repair and installation business as a home occupation at 804 N. Minnesota was approved. The property is zoned R-2 (Single and Two Family Residences).

Zimmerman said he only had tool boxes in his home, had no business sign and will not deal with walk-in customers at home.

New Ulm Building Inspector Al Gag told Zimmerman he could not use his garage as part of the business.

Harry Hofmeister, 828 N. German, asked the Planning Commission to disapprove the application.

"What part of residential area don't you understand?" Hofmeister said. "Businesses have been creeping into residential areas all over town. I saw a two-ton truck in an alley delivering items to a garage."

Hoffmeister had other issues in residential parts of town.

"There are old vehicles that haven't been moved in years," he said. "The area is getting to be a junkyard and I don't want another junkyard. I've already been screwed. It's not right. I don't think you should pass it."

Gary Schreyer, of 807 N. German, said Zimmerman was a good neighbor he got along with and that the application should be approved.

Commissioner Bob Beussman asked if delivery trucks in the alley would be grounds for business license revocation?

Gag said it was.

Hofmeister was still not done.

"I waited 38 years for the alley to be paved. Then I paid for it and it was done," he said. "Then a big truck drove on it and tore it all up. The city paid to have it repaved."

Zimmerman said he picks up materials at suppliers and takes them to work sites. Supply deliveries would be made to someplace other than his home.

"If my three-quarter ton truck isn't home, nobody would know I have a business there," Zimmerman said. "The truck is too long for my garage so I have to park it outside."

Commissioner Dan Braam said similar applications were approved in the past in New Ulm.

An application of Pat Kunerth to construct and operate a community storage facility on property zoned B-2 (Service Business District) at 1216-1226 South Broadway, was approved.

Kunerth said he plans to build 12-14 steel storage buildings the size of standard garages on a lot with space for twice as many units. Buildings would be made to resemble his business and set back so vehicles could turn around without using driveways on adjacent property.

Several nearby property owners asked the commission to limit hours renters can visit the units and allow them to be rented only to private citizens, not businesses. Commissioners agreed.

Kunerth explained his reasoning in creating the business and some of the things he has learned about it.

"I can't pay business taxes on a lot and not use it for business," Kunerth said. "Renters usually visit storage buildings once a month or less. They use them like garages, for snowmobiles, snow blowers, etc."

Kunerth will place motion lights at the front doors of the units that will not have electricity or any other doors.

Betty Kretsch, 1223 S. State, urged the commission to ensure the units were set back far enough.

Commissioner Don Wilfahrt said the units will be set back 10 or 20 feet more than the required 10 feet.

A letter written by Lois Mueller, 1227 S. State, mentioned concerns about property values, security, hours of use and alley blockage during construction.

Kunerth said property values should not be affected because the area was already zoned business.

Another property owner asked Kunerth if he would screen renters?

Kunerth said he hadn't thought of that but would consider it.

The application was approved with stipulations that Kunerth not rent units to other businesses, had a 25' foot driveway approach, not allow access after 10 p.m., post signs asking renters not to block the alley and build with materials similar to that of his nearby business.

The application of Michael Demmer, on behalf of Prairie Senior Cottages of New Ulm, included a conditional use permit to build a six foot high fence in the front yard setback area along Highway 14 West, 1304 and 1308 Birchwood Drive. The property is zoned R-3 (Multiple Family Residence).

The wood fence will help keep sound of the the units, designed for Alzheimer's patients. Beussman said approval should include a suggestion of making the fence eight feet high to match the existing fence.

The preliminary plat of Cottonwood Park, First Addition, at near the intersection of Butternut and Cottonwood streets, was approved.

The total parcel of 7.58 acres would include four buildings that would house four town homes each, a holding pond and wooded area including spruce, birch and pine trees. Land parcel elevation is 821 feet, six feet above flood stage.

The commission tabled discussion of the status of its Signage and Design Study and adult entertainment land use regulations. All other issues will be considered at Tuesday night's New Ulm City Council meeting. It begins at 7:30 p.m. in the basement of the New Ulm Public Library.