[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6214503,"mediaKeyId","3666877-e3b639650431ad95b1742312d5fe0c0a","parentId",3666877,"title","Council approves variance to allow detached garage at 608 South Front Street with revised timeline for removal of excess accessory space","audioSeconds",613,"startMs",6177000,"endMs",6790000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3666877-e3b639650431ad95b1742312d5fe0c0a&start=6177&end=6790","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3666877-e3b639650431ad95b1742312d5fe0c0a/thumbnail_6177000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6214503/New-Ulm/Brown-County/Minnesota/Council-approves-variance-to-allow-detached-garage-at-608-South-Front-Street-with-revised-timeline-for-removal-of-excess-accessory-space","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214503-f17cc2b4e848dceddc897513c2e7cc92/orig.mp4?Expires=1776234599&Signature=EbMDxzcVGzuwdRZsPbjP8MZePKw5d4hYLI-ruh0GGQ~-Bvfr7HJAxhETK5yE64G2GIeK2FnG5ejEDK7fX8t2lXGkj540vIBhd6bqd90YE6ZBbL3PSoMNjrqjAn5hrCDS9AN6JjOpvRVvEtBnok0P8OlWMPergDf-A~zz5csEw9NYC72W2o5IWcIiFVNBJg5wyBTZS7Wrwuewjao1czfI4KLPP3V5hKRlBS8JK0og~I2ST8pvkQCVSPTaXH0rcWr0-uxUIf9ScBPXUr5DDIEa413TDw8jUbTPo1EqM4~1MghVAHNodDG6lE0kGYYY9W5xT5ajuVgxwakmUbyrGrefUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of New Ulm, MN","date","2025-06-04T11:49:38Z","article","The New Ulm City Council on Tuesday approved a variance allowing a homeowner to construct a 28-by-35-foot detached garage forward of the principal structure at 608 South Front Street, subject to conditions including a professional survey, downspout direction toward Front Street and removal of excess accessory area within 180 days of permit issuance.

Planner John Nisley said the zoning ordinance generally requires detached accessory structures to be behind or to the side of the principal building; the proposed garage would be between the existing home and the front-yard setback. The planning commission unanimously recommended approval with five conditions: record the variance, verify building location with the city once staked, remove any existing accessory buildings if the total detached accessory area would exceed the 1,000-square-foot allowance, install downspouts to manage runoff, and conduct a property survey prior to building permit issuance.

During council discussion members asked staff to tighten the timeline for removing any excess accessory structure; planners and the building official indicated building permits typically expire within 180 days. The council amended the condition to require removal of any accessory buildings that would cause the property to exceed the 1,000-square-foot limit within 180 days of building-permit issuance rather than 30 days after final inspection.

The variance passed unanimously. Staff noted that automotive repair businesses are not allowed in residential districts and asked neighbors to report violations to the police department.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 3, 2025 New Ulm City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The council granted a variance permitting a 28-by-35-foot detached garage to be built between the house and front-yard setback at 608 South Front Street, with conditions including a professional survey and a 180-day timeline for removing any accessory structure that would exceed the 1,000-square-foot limit.","taxTitle","New Ulm, Brown County, Minnesota","taxId",72831,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6214505,"Council approves conditional use permit for 6-foot front-yard fence on Fifteenth North Street",353,5857000,6210000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3666877-e3b639650431ad95b1742312d5fe0c0a&start=5857&end=6210","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3666877-e3b639650431ad95b1742312d5fe0c0a/thumbnail_5857000.jpg","/articles/6214505/New-Ulm/Brown-County/Minnesota/Council-approves-conditional-use-permit-for-6-foot-front-yard-fence-on-Fifteenth-North-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214505-3f5181e450c1366157bff036586402c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1776234599&Signature=GXUC8EH~MGYbhkJ32TQrl2vtQPrbE3yxKCQHzb-6JCVA0CYYRyy5ZouCZ~0Dg2CMHrjfdN0DMUGoKi~UoRkfrr~FcLzPcsksd3~RBcmq9XxZHwNxssLMzdTZwVjm0Pys-i8KfPPd2Q0Q52FMO7HCvUz0FZOZ54QkR5S4EZ8sYAJzDtdCj0jvoNIKP8eq6jw1IM0W8HGE2D8C1uO4TIj67cp8YxiAARecs7Ggd2uY6ucuEXVtCWwcEFdR5mB9Hci3XlZ0zUb7W8d1MpdSlgnkbwDuaUEv4HlnYyczXkofP-r7gghHzBlwm-dUr591Vy~au-sGBs~zkJJuF8ep5KVyVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Ulm City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a conditional use permit allowing a six-foot-tall fence to remain in the front-yard setback on the Fifteenth North Street side of the property owned by Caitlin Cortes and Ronnie and Sue Cortes.

Planner John Nisley told the council the fence exceeded the 48-inch height normally permitted in a front-yard setback area and that a fence permit had initially been issued in error. When staff discovered the fence height, the property owner applied for a conditional use permit. The planning commission unanimously recommended approval with three conditions: that the owner pay recording costs, maintain the fence so it does not become a nuisance, and limit the permit to the fence’s installed location and dimensions shown in the staff attachment.

Councilors noted the lot’s dual front-yard condition (corner lot) and confirmed the installed fence met transparency and sidewalk-safety requirements for front-yard fences. Director Jorgensen called the roll and the motion carried unanimously.

The council action requires the property owner to record the permit with Brown County and to keep the fence in good repair; the permit is site-specific and does not authorize additional fence work beyond the approved location and size.","The City Council approved a conditional use permit allowing a six-foot fence to remain within a front-yard setback at a property on Fifteenth North Street, with conditions for recording, maintenance, and downspout direction.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6214506,"Council approves preliminary plat and first consideration for LandHaven barndominium development",528,6804000,7332000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3666877-e3b639650431ad95b1742312d5fe0c0a&start=6804&end=7332","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3666877-e3b639650431ad95b1742312d5fe0c0a/thumbnail_6804000.jpg","/articles/6214506/New-Ulm/Brown-County/Minnesota/Council-approves-preliminary-plat-and-first-consideration-for-LandHaven-barndominium-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214506-32d085cdcbad42ea2be533f9f97b10f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1776234599&Signature=mC7sKpjRNfcc3Qv10vAd1338Ooj04DsLUOr~tNpj0URZPw6hUpKO24B2uJ2BhkMEjmCypb4Sn5C5cEP9M8V8z4UuHIvmdrUs8hlWnvEWCphS-QIWoRTlsfIaobRsZj4CdqZGvGZwT4nM4i83y~IvjvbSE6ZfpV7qBPnd9MIVdnZ5tw80yR8I~TWoLwA4FWQQEJEPdsE9~oQrPZWkAjyrmctvQVMsFyh-S5ZyIAkkxn6U4C97QfvIlQE0Ry8oAUo4-BAxqhL12-JsVt0hwlWeOTdArNTM0Rp-Xc1aosUfDc1cPxMAODvNhT8ztpOKqR-KGtqJbnSQ27Gyc7oKxMlk~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council voted to approve the preliminary plat and advance the planned unit development (PUD) general development plan for the LandHaven project, a mixed-use plan at 2211 Jacob Street that would create 28 lots with a private U-shaped street and a mix of livable “barndominiums” and storage-condominium lots.

Planner John Nisley told the council the I-1 (industrial) zoned site does not ordinarily allow residential living units, so the PUD process is being used to permit a mixed arrangement that would include living units in some structures and storage-only units on the west side of the site. The planning commission unanimously recommended approval with conditions, including that the developer create association documents to disclose industrial-area realities (noise, smells, light) to prospective buyers and that the project rezone the property to PUD and execute a development agreement and final plat before building permits are issued.

Councilors discussed the novelty of pairing residential units with industrial-scale uses. Staff said the applicant is proposing consistent building materials and design guidelines across the development and will provide association documents to the city for review. No public opposition was recorded at the planning commission meeting or at council on Tuesday.

The preliminary plat approval requires the developer to pay planning fees, supply an AutoCAD drawing file of the plat, and enter into a development agreement tied to the forthcoming final plat. The PUD first consideration will return to the council for second reading on June 17. The planning department will review the association documents that will require buyers to accept potential industrial impacts.","The council approved the preliminary plat and first consideration of a planned unit development for the LandHaven project at 2211 Jacob Street, a mixed proposal of livable 'barndominiums' and storage condominiums that requires association documents and rezoning steps before final approvals.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6214507,"City Council approves general development plan for Highland Apartments after lengthy traffic and process debate",1507,2047000,3554000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3666877-e3b639650431ad95b1742312d5fe0c0a&start=2047&end=3554","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3666877-e3b639650431ad95b1742312d5fe0c0a/thumbnail_2047000.jpg","/articles/6214507/New-Ulm/Brown-County/Minnesota/City-Council-approves-general-development-plan-for-Highland-Apartments-after-lengthy-traffic-and-process-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214507-70f3efb055d4547da11d7cea261bdc30/orig.mp4?Expires=1776234599&Signature=JkdXlmAZ7vbwxl-IrdPmqS2q95K9y97Leu9NgcDgKjWPnd325xChd-JdAbxqh2X2Wb~6f01o8vywcEwmhUaFFsUyU3YdFTXBiipI4pNiqS~Zx8esoKJxEKmxUvvD3aVqujIpzOt25qzySTtj0oOXP47WUtnkgUMA4WelqZLQp2Xr2RUOL28vss94qmE9rk75Pb5rxWrLByOLc~-HLbb~qWjIoFtEizZyj1NjaZmBEp5g9lPYEpJ3sov4qr38SF9d0Z~rrhSGFp9m4RMRrZYoKsrLaxnaglWjm-PKdwejfRJub1jU2CxFOPLjjqzxTuv-I2nt17TPPTAEx0sTZyGaQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Ulm City Council on Tuesday approved a general development plan for a planned unit development that would create the Highland Apartments, a market-rate project proposing 148 units at 901 North Highland Avenue.

Planner John Nisley presented the plan, describing a 10.2-acre site and a two-phase project with two 38-unit buildings fronting North Highland Avenue (phase 1) and two 36-unit buildings to the west (phase 2). Nisley said the developer, Keepers Incorporated, has requested one deviation from the R-4 zoning standard: placing garage structures on the perimeter to screen taller apartment buildings. He also said the project proposes 304 parking stalls and building heights of about 40 feet 6 inches.

The planning commission had unanimously recommended approval with conditions, and the city attorney confirmed that the city’s review complied with legal requirements. Nisley told the council the project meets the city’s land-use procedures, that the developer requested no city incentives, and that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s stormwater standards and city stormwater rules will apply. City staff said the project’s projected 1,023 daily trips (77 AM peak, 99 PM peak) would result in an estimated 4,566 vehicles per day on the North Highland segment when combined with existing counts — a level the city’s 2006 feasibility study had previously planned for in roadway design.

A number of residents submitted comments and one letter read into the record by staff argued the city should require a new third-party traffic and pedestrian safety study before rezoning, citing proximity to New Ulm High School and recent corridor development. The letter requested coordination with District 88, emergency services and the city’s safety commission. The writers urged postponing zoning decisions until a corridor-wide study and updated traffic modeling could inform mitigation, noting existing congestion and school-adjacent pedestrian activity.

City engineer Joe Stadheim and other staff answered questions on vehicle capacity, noting a two-lane roadway can safely handle roughly 8,000–10,000 vehicles per day before conversion to four lanes would be considered; he described prior practice of monitoring conditions and installing improvements when warrants are met. City staff said MnDOT conducted traffic counts in 2021 and 2024 on sections of North Highland; updated, project-specific traffic modeling was not required by staff for this application because the project’s unit count fell below Minnesota’s Environmental Assessment Worksheet threshold and the planning record relied on established counts and models.

Council discussion referenced concerns about traffic, stormwater management, building scale, parking, play space, and property-value impacts. Staff provided clarifying details: parkland dedication for the project was calculated at $56,000; the proposed open/play area totals about 55,900 square feet (roughly 12.5% of the site); the developer proposes to construct the Tenth North Street extension and pay for the underground utilities and roadway improvements; and there are no public incentives requested.

After council review and questions, a motion to approve the PUD general development plan carried unanimously. The approval requires later actions before construction — rezoning by ordinance, a development agreement, final plat and other documents noted in the planning process. Staff indicated the development agreement and final plan will return to council and that the developer expects to begin phase 1 work as soon as late summer, with a multi-year horizon if both phases proceed.","The council voted to approve a planned unit development general development plan for a 148-unit Highland Apartments project at 901 North Highland Avenue, following staff presentations on traffic, stormwater, parking, and repeated public concerns about corridor capacity and safety.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6214508,"New Ulm council approves temporary alley closure for B and L Bar, requires owner-provided security",1172,580000,1752000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3666877-e3b639650431ad95b1742312d5fe0c0a&start=580&end=1752","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3666877-e3b639650431ad95b1742312d5fe0c0a/thumbnail_580000.jpg","/articles/6214508/New-Ulm/Brown-County/Minnesota/New-Ulm-council-approves-temporary-alley-closure-for-B-and-L-Bar-requires-owner-provided-security","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214508-f608263198925878cbd05c5d02c9f454/orig.mp4?Expires=1776234599&Signature=BnKPJcwHgvpJqdZZWbpmz70FuQsZ1FnlGQKliMUnt~nWGKslUGFAIBSr7w973w5N9tLOJpiBGbbwH4vRzQRPlvEMQTRHFlvFBlSgQ2jTqDOWROiR21DvQy0sfSZJ-LsEnhoYvURrugWUKgU6DM2fibU~11D0CdUIIYL-3vREfYQTgeFKgmZEOw0wZtO-~NGYjtNzXiDXILda1dpAN20vVkFwLGsFx1ECNGetZJlOXeJCq01yGD1dsOP0QKhry99KzXRrt-ZY5ew88IXqz9H28a-YZMkuwVCjBa5N~KJ4iek9QOd5x8TeB7MFEpjQizVuxLwbT0k3Z6GgeiSpCm~MjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Ulm City Council on Tuesday approved a temporary closure of the alley adjacent to the B and L Bar and authorized an extension of the bar’s liquor license into the closed alley and Minnesota Street for a series of 2025 downtown events, provided the bar owner supplies on-site security during events.

The council’s decision covers multiple summer and fall events, including Crazy Days (July 25–27), scheduled car-and-bike roll-ins (Saturdays June 14, July 12, Aug. 16 and Sept. 13), a Spiking in the Streets weekend (Aug. 1–3), Oktoberfest (Oct. 3–5) and the Parade of Lights (Nov. 28). The motion passed on a roll-call vote with all councilors voting yes.

Council members said the alley closure aims to support downtown activity while responding to repeated complaints from a neighboring property owner about vandalism and public disorder tied to large events. A neighbor who identified themselves as living at 16 South Jefferson told the council that temporary barricades and staffing attempts have failed and that “the barricades don’t work... they’re movable,” and described the alley as “14 foot wide” with multiple access points that are difficult to monitor.

City staff and Police Chief Borchardt said the police department lacks the staffing to provide continuous one-to-one monitoring of the alley during events. “We really don’t have the staffing to just have someone literally sitting down, you know, monitoring that alley,” the chief said. The chief explained licensed private security or off-duty law enforcement can be contracted for public-right-of-way policing and confirmed that Minnesota requires licensed security for activities occurring off an establishment’s own property.

Councilors proposed several measures before approving the closure. The final motion requires that the B and L Bar provide a security detail during events; available options discussed included using the bar’s own employees, licensed private security, or off-duty law enforcement. Councilors noted the bar owner could be required to contract and pay for officers under the city’s fee schedule (the council sets hourly rates for off-duty officers). Council discussion also encouraged the owner to consider a permanent patio or parklet as a longer-term alternative to using the alley.

Councilors agreed to monitor the first roll-in event as an early test and to revisit conditions if necessary. Director Jorgensen conducted the roll call after the motion and the council voted unanimously in favor.

Community members and city leaders framed the decision as balancing downtown activation with neighboring-property concerns; the council tied approval to the condition that the bar owner provide supervision during any time the alley is in use for events.

The council’s action is limited to the temporary alley closures and liquor-license extensions for the listed event dates; no code changes or permanent closures were enacted in this vote. The city staff and police will monitor compliance and the council may revisit the conditions if problems continue.","The New Ulm City Council voted unanimously to allow the B and L Bar to extend its liquor license into a closed alley for downtown events, subject to security conditions and a trial review after an initial event.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves variance to allow detached garage at 608 South Front Street with revised timeline for removal of excess accessory space

Council approves conditional use permit for 6-foot front-yard fence on Fifteenth North Street

Council approves preliminary plat and first consideration for LandHaven barndominium development

City Council approves general development plan for Highland Apartments after lengthy traffic and process debate

New Ulm council approves temporary alley closure for B and L Bar, requires owner-provided security