Council approves lot split and setback variance at 1527 South German Street

The New Ulm City Council on Jan. 6 approved both a simple lot division and a variance for 1527 South German Street, allowing the property owner to split Lot 8, Block 41 into two parcels and locate two single-family homes.

John Knisely, planner with the City of New Ulm, presented the staff report and said the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the lot division with two conditions: the applicant must record the resolution authorizing the division with the Brown County Recorder's Office and provide a five-foot utility easement along the north line of Parcel B. Knisely described the proposal as "to approve a simple lot division" and explained the lots are in the R-3 medium-density residential zoning district and would be developed as single-family residences.

Knisely also presented a variance request submitted by James Kretsch Sr. on behalf of Southside Property Management LLC to reduce the front-yard setback on Parcel A from 30 feet to 20 feet, citing a steep slope that would otherwise require substantial fill. The Planning Commission recommended the variance with two conditions: that the applicant pay the cost to record the variance with the Brown County Recorder's Office and contact the city to verify building locations once staked.

Councilors moved and seconded resolutions to approve both the lot division and the variance; both motions passed on roll calls in which all voting members present recorded yes votes. The approvals include the Planning Commission's conditions. The staff report lists parcel dimensions of roughly 4,152 square feet for Parcel A and 1,152 square feet for Parcel B; during the presentation the planner briefly corrected an earlier misstated number when discussing parcel sizes.