Plans for

Lakeside

Village

Addition stall

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Susan and Peter Rothmeier's plans for developing a 50.23-acre tract that surrounds an 8-acre lake in northwest New Ulm ran afoul of the city's comprehensive plan at the City Council meeting Tuesday.

The issue is whether the Rothmeiers must designate 5 acres within the development for a city park. After considerable debate, the council gave the matter to the Park and Recreation Commission for further study of the park issue.

The Rothmeiers sought approval of a preliminary plat for Lakeside Village Addition, which would be divided into 92 buildable lots and two unbuildable lots. The property, which was previously mined for gravel, is bounded on the south side by Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad tracks and on the east by Boundary Street.

The problem is that the plot of ground is designated for industrial and parkland uses. As City Manager Brian Gramentz told the council, there have been sporadic discussions with the Park and Recreation Department concerning locating a 5-acre park there.

"With the lake and the power lines (that bisect the property), would this (tract) fit the 5-acre park footprint with its ball diamonds and parking?" Gramentz said.

However, Councilor Clark Tuttle, supported by Council President Dan Beranek, pressed for designating 5 acres for a city park.

However, Peter Rothmeier maintained that adding a 5-acre park to the 8-acre lake and the 2 acres of unbuildable lots would make the project unfeasible. He also noted further delays in getting plat approval also would work against potential project success.

However, Gramentz responded that there already had been one meeting regarding the park issue, and another with Community Development Director Dave Schnobrich and Park and Recreation staff was planned for next week.

"We'll be talking about where to place a 5-acre park, and do we want power lines running through the park. Would we be five years or 10 years or farther away from developing the park? Those are issues that we'll be discussing," Gramentz said.

"But there are many questions to be answered, and I wanted more specific information so that's why we're meeting."