River Heights planning commission conditionally approves violin restorer’s workshop in former kindergarten room

The River Heights City Planning Commission on Aug. 26 granted conditional approval for a violin-restoration workshop proposed by Jared Lesko to operate in a partitioned kindergarten room at the River Heights City Building complex.

Lesko, who said he grew up locally and called himself a violin restorer, told the commission he restores “rare, European violins mostly” and runs a workshop in Providence he plans to keep. “I currently have a little workshop space in Providence, but [I’m] way outgrowing that,” Lesko said. He told commissioners he sometimes receives instruments by mail, keeps nearly 100 instruments in long-term storage and expects only limited customer visits in River Heights — probably “7 to 10 people a month” at most.

The commission’s approval was conditional. The motion adopted by voice vote set three conditions: occupancy may not begin until a rental contract is signed by the property manager and the city; any complaints about odors would be addressed (including requiring venting if necessary); and the conditional-use authorization would terminate if Lesko vacates the unit. The motion was seconded and adopted by voice vote; an official record of individual roll-call tallies was not recorded in the transcript.

Commissioners questioned whether Lesko’s work would generate fumes, dust or other nuisance effects. Lesko described his processes in detail: he said shellac is used only in tiny amounts (comparing it to the clear coat used on fingernails), most glue work uses water-based adhesives that are soaked out, and heavier woodwork and sanding would continue to be done at his Providence location. He said sanding there is performed with a small disk attached to a vacuum arrangement that runs through water to capture dust.

Lesko also confirmed he plans to rent Unit 12, the partitioned kindergarten room, and that customers would be rare. He told the commission he would keep both locations and store instruments at the larger River Heights space when needed.

The commission closed the public hearing on the item and approved the conditional use application with the conditions listed above. Staff (recorder Sheila Lynn) was instructed to follow up on finalizing the minutes and the rental contract process so Lesko could begin occupancy when conditions are met.

The approval was recorded as a conditional approval pending completion of the administrative steps the commission described.