New Ulm City Council approves high density residential amendment for South Minnesota Street

The New Ulm City Council meeting on July 1, 2025, focused on significant amendments to the city's comprehensive plan and zoning regulations, particularly concerning land use designations and planned unit developments.

One of the key discussions involved a comprehensive plan amendment to change the land use designation for a specific property from low density residential to high density residential. This property, located at 418 and 424 Thirteenth South Street and 1305 to 1315 South Minnesota Street, had previously been designated as industrial in 1963, high density residential in 1996, and most recently changed to low density residential in 2024. The change to low density was influenced by a proposal from the property owner, Mr. Sabatino, for single-family homes and twin homes. However, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended reverting to high density residential, citing that this designation aligns better with existing land uses in the area, which include low density residential and commercial properties.

The council approved the amendment with two conditions: the property owner must cover the costs to record necessary documents at the Brown County Recorder's Office, and the amendment is contingent upon the approval of the planned unit development (PUD) zoning designation for the property.

Additionally, the council considered an ordinance for Project Spark, which involves changing the zoning designation from Medium Density Residence District to Planned Unit Development District Number 4 for the same property. This ordinance is set for a second consideration at the upcoming July 15 meeting, with publication in the New Ulm Journal to follow.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the planned unit development general development plan for River Haven Housing, indicating ongoing efforts to enhance housing options in New Ulm. The council's decisions reflect a proactive approach to urban development and zoning adjustments to meet community needs.