Council considers interim use permit for myofascial-release therapy at 1121 South Minnesota Street

The New Ulm City Council heard a staff report and planning-commission recommendation on an interim use permit request to allow a myofascial-release therapy business to operate out of a single-family residence at 1121 South Minnesota Street.

Planner John Nisley told the council the operator would use an unused bedroom in a walkout basement and that the planning commission on Feb. 27 recommended unanimous approval with five conditions. Staff said the use would generate minimal traffic (one customer at a time) and that the home would remain a single-family dwelling; staff recommended a five-year interim use permit, renewable once for another five years.

The planning commission’s five recommended conditions, as read to council, were: compliance with interim-use standards in section 2.4(e) of the zoning ordinance; a five-year permit term; the use not expanding or moving from the identified location; the property owner paying the cost to record the resolution with the Brown County Recorder’s Office; and that the permit would be null and void upon change of ownership (a new owner would need to reapply).

Council members asked whether operating hours should be added as a formal condition; the applicant told staff proposed hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and staff said they did not list that as a mandatory condition because traffic impacts appeared minimal. The applicant and a staff member noted two phone inquiries and one email in opposition were received; staff said the email is included in the council packet but that the people who called asked only for clarification.

A resolution to approve the interim use permit with the planning-commission conditions was moved and seconded during the meeting. (The planning-commission recommendation and staff report are part of the record; council direction calls for recordation of the resolution and for permit conditions listed by staff.)