Council approves Kubish Furniture variance with brick-only condition after preservation debate

The New Prague City Council approved a request by Kubish Furniture and Flooring to modify the exterior of its building at 133 West Main, allowing a metal cable-supported awning and covering the existing brick, but the council required use of the brick rendering rather than Osceola Prairie stone.

The vote came after Planning Commission review and public testimony. Dennis Dvorak, the town historian, told the council the structure "is historic because it reflects the period in which it was built, 1946," and urged care in preserving downtown character. He recommended consulting the Minnesota Historical Society and noted several repair and replacement techniques that can preserve historic fabric.

Applicant Randy Kubish, owner of Kubish Furniture and Flooring, said matching 1946 brick is scarce and that the building's brick is failing. "1946 brick isn't historic," he said, describing suppliers' responses that much historic brick is being repurposed for pavers and that available brick would look noticeably patched. Staff noted a masonry contractor estimate that removing and reusing brick from another elevation could cost more than $140,000 in labor.

Planning staff summarized three options (table, deny, or approve) and said the Planning Commission recommended approval (4–0) with two conditions: provide a brick-option rendering and documentation from the Historical Society/contractor if original brick is unavailable or failing. During council action, members said they preferred the brick option and included that preference as a condition when voting to approve the Planning Commission resolution.

Council recorded the decision by voice vote; no roll-call tallies were announced. The approval includes the specific condition that the final façade use the brick design included in the packet rather than the Osceola Prairie stone option. Staff will implement the conditions in the resolution and proceed with permitting.