Planning panel approves condos

Mall would

house 51

units

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- A Conditional Use Permit to allow the construction of about 51 apartment units at Marktplatz Mall was unanimously approved Thursday by the New Ulm Planning Commission.

John Robert Petroff, on behalf of Retail Investment II, LLC, plans to build the units on property zoned B-3 (General Business District). Phase I of the project would consist of 31 units and Phase II would consist of 20 units.

Community Development Director Dave Schnobrich said the city staff recommended approving the request because the use of the mall has achieved limited success and the project would allow for a more productive use of space.

A preliminary market study indicated there is a demand for condominium units in the downtown area, they compliment existing downtown land uses and residents would be within convenient walking distance of downtown businesses.

The project building would be four stories above the existing parking level. One and two-bedroom units would range from 1,050 to 1,575 square feet.

Existing mall parking would be enclosed and heated. One bedroom units would have one parking stall. Two bedroom units would have two stalls.

Synthetic stucco would be molded and colored to create themes on the building exterior, Petroff said.

Property values within the immediate vicinity would be increased. The development's resulting value would far exceed that of the current structure which has significant vacant areas, according to findings offered in the permit application.

The Commission unanimously approved conditional use permits for:

* Ramakrishna Chilakamarri, 421 South State Street to operate a computer repair and internet sales business, with the condition that there be no stock in trade on the property. Chilkamarri said repair service will be provided at the customer's home, imported items will be sold on the internet and customers will not come to his home.

* Tabled a request to permit a non-conforming fence by Robert Webb, 224 South State. Webb, who was not at the meeting, wrote a letter requesting his fence remain as it is.

The fence does not comply with the City's fence ordinance because it is within six inches of the 3rd South Street sidewalk instead of the 10 foot setback, within 3 feet of the alley instead of the 5 foot setback and within a foot of the driveway instead of the 10 foot setback.

In the letter, Webb said he is confused because his "see-through" picket fence is a called a safety hazard while 7 foot shrubs are not and that local lumber yards don't know related city codes. He suggested they be sent notices of all changes to create a more "shopper friendly experience."

Several of Webb's neighbors attended the meeting and said they did not object to the fence.

* Rezoned the following properties: (1) from R-A (Agricultural Residence) to R-3 (Multiple Family Residence) and from R-A (Agricultural Residence) to B-2 (Service Business District).

The 28.35 acre property, generally located west of CSAH 29/North Garden Street and north of Karl Drive, is currently farmed. It was annexed into the city on July 8, 2004. Some of it has been platted as Skyline Terrace Addition.

* Rezoned 6.5 acres of land owned by Jill and Jon Wellnitz, 1205-227 Cottonwood Street, legally described as Outlots 423 and 424 from R-A to R-1 (Single Family Residence).

* Approved preliminary and final plats of Ridgeview Estates Fourth Addition, located west of the Poor Farm building, south of the Cottonwood River and north of Cottonwood Street.

A public hearing on the vacation of Woodhaven Circle is scheduled for the Sept. 7, 2004 City Council meeting.

* Preliminary and final plats of Markplatz First Addition, 101 N. German Street. Lot 1 is a 31-unit condominium project, Lot 2 a 20-unit project and Lot 3 will remain as retail space.

* Tabled preliminary plat approval of Lakeside Village Addition, 50.23 acres north of the DM&E Railroad and west of Boundary Street. aka "The Mack Pit."

City staff recommended the request be continued to the next meeting to discuss a number of details. The site was formerly mined for gravel and has a large pond.

* Approved a resolution finding Tax Increment Financing District H-4 to be compatible with the City's General Development Plans. The Winkelmann Building Corp. proposes to build 49 units of rental housing at 2107 North Highland Ave. TIF assistance would be used to pay for land acquisition, public improvements and related development costs.

* Denied a request for simple lot division by Margaret Nonnemacher, 805 South Franklin Street. City Code requires a minimum lot area of 6,000 square feet for a single family residence. The proposed lot division would create a 4,250 square foot lot.

Zoning Board approves

variances

Variances on front yard and garage regulations were approved Thursday by the New Ulm Board of Zoning Adjustment.

Wayne Fox, 1219 S. German, received a variance to build a 40x64 storage building on his property on Lots 4 and 5, Block 38 South of Center Street. The only access is the alley from 12th South Street.

Robert Dittrich got a stipulation amendment to a variance allowing construction of attached garages at an elevation of 819 feet above sea level instead of the required 821.2 feet, in Ridgeview Estates Second Addition.

In a letter to New Ulm Community Development Director David Schnobrich, Brad Johnson of Lotus Realty Services, Chanhassen, said the 821.2 elevation would create a very steep grade for many of the garages because of the flood plain line and narrow lot width.