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Council approves several zoning variances and code updates, including floodplain and accommodation ordinances
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Summary
The Mankato City Council granted multiple variances (housing density, transitional-yard setbacks and wetland setback reductions) and adopted ordinances updating floodplain references, reasonable-accommodations procedures and alcohol-license rules.
Council members voted to approve a package of land-use variances and code amendments during the meeting.
Staff summarized a variance request under the shoreland ordinance that would increase units in four buildings from four to five (KJ2 Properties). Mr. Khan told the council the state had recommended the variance process and that staff recommended approval; council adopted the resolution.
The council also approved a variance for Goodrich Construction at 1703 3rd Avenue to reduce a transitional-yard setback so the company could hard-surface an industrial parking lot; staff said the adjacent residential property owner submitted a letter of support.
A variance requested by APX to reduce a wetland setback from 16.5 feet to about 5 feet to permit a pedestrian sidewalk connection also received staff recommendation and council approval; staff emphasized the change would not impact the wetland and that the setback is a city-code requirement rather than a state wetland setback.
Council adopted an ordinance updating Chapter 10 references to floodplain map numbers and dates in response to county community-panel updates. The council also adopted an ordinance establishing an administrative process for reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Housing Act to allow individualized accommodations (for example, ramps or reserved parking) through an administrative review rather than a variance.
Separately, council approved amendments to administrative procedures and the alcoholic-beverage chapter—changes to the strike matrix and food-spend thresholds—after staff described the changes and a local business owner spoke in support of lowering food requirements for certain venues.
All of these items were adopted by roll call or voice vote as recorded in the minutes.
