TIF district OK'd

for Canyon Outback

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM--The New Ulm Planning Commission Thursday gave its approval, on a 3-0 vote with one abstention, to establishing a tax increment district for Canyon Outback Leather Goods' new location on North Broadway near the mobile home village.

Community Development Director Dave Schnobrich said the city attorney had advised when there's only a quorum (four of its seven members), then a majority of members present is sufficient for approval.

"Canyon Outback had requested the establishment of the district so that it could apply for TIF," Schnobrich explained.

The new TIF district will be designated ED-13.

The commission members found the modified development program for Development District No. 1, and the tax increment financing plan for District ED-13 is consistent with the city's general development plan.

In another 3-0 vote with one member abstaining, the commission approved the final plat of Oak Bluffs Second Addition which had been called Bussler First Addition. Schnobrich said the title had been changed because it was more accurate.

The plat divides each of the two lots into two parcels, allowing the owner to build for-sale twin homes on the lots. Schnobrich said all the conditions previously required for approval, except how the owner wanted the existing utility and street assessments split among the four new lots, were granted.

Schnobrich said the owner had promised to send a letter to the city advising as to how the split should be made, and the commission approved the plat on condition of receipt of the letter.

On a 4-0 vote, the commission recommended approval of Robyn Sand Anderson's application for a conditional use permit to teach private and small group art lessons as a home occupation at 1417 Cherry St., providing she doesn't have more than six students at a time and limit sessions to three nights a week, ending by 10 p.m.

The Board of Zoning Adjustment, meeting prior to the commission's meeting, conducted a public hearing on the request by Tom Haala, owner of New Ulm Body Shop, to be given a variance to build a 40-foot by up to 90-foot building to store vehicles awaiting repair.

However, staff felt that size placed the building too close to an adjacent house and the street. Consequently, they recommended and approved a 36-foot-wide building, as long as Haala wanted to make it because his lot is 165 feet long. Haala sought a compromise of 38 feet "because that would make it easier to maneuver in the building." He's planning a 3,500-square foot building.