Council approves conditional use permit for proposed Five Lowe's food pantry and thrift store at 648 W. Fourth St.

The New Richmond City Council on a unanimous voice vote approved conditional use permits that will allow Five Lowe's Food and Clothing Centers to build an 8,000-square-foot, one-story food pantry and thrift store at 648 West Fourth Street and to exceed the Z4 district impervious-surface limit.

City staff described the project as sited south of West Fourth Street across from Sunshine Courts. The application requests two approvals: permission to operate a food shelf in the Z4 zoning district and an exception to exceed the district’s 40% maximum impervious surface. Staff said the applicants propose a 43.2% impervious surface, a 24-foot roof height, engineered wood siding with metal window and door casings, a 5-foot sidewalk connection to a planned midblock pedestrian crossing, and a 29-space parking layout that includes two accessible stalls and on‑street overflow if needed. The site plan also shows a semi‑truck turning radius and a landscaping plan with trees, shrubs and groundcover intended to meet screening requirements.

Staff and the planning commission recommended approval with four conditions; after the planning commission meeting staff added a fifth condition allowing the city to require water testing if there is any suspicion of water-quality impacts given the site’s proximity to a city well. Staff noted pedestrian‑safety measures in the plan set, including a midblock rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) at the new crossing, ADA‑compliant curb ramps, high‑visibility crosswalk striping and warning signs.

Representatives from the applicant addressed the council. "We're close to having all of our fundraising completed," said Matt Tunra, identified in the meeting as vice president of the Five Lowe's Food Shelf Board. He said the group expects to submit for state review after council approval and hopes to break ground this summer, with a June timeframe the target if state approvals are timely. Dave, an applicant representative, said construction could start in late May or early June and estimated about a six‑month build time.

Council members asked technical questions about access, pedestrian flows and the possibility of a second entrance from West Fifth Street; staff said West Fifth Street terminates at the property and earlier discussions about a second access point became a concern because it could encourage shortcutting across the lot, so the applicant did not pursue two entrances. Council members were positive about the project’s local benefit and congratulated the applicants on fundraising progress.

The motion to approve the conditional use permits carried on a roll call after the discussion; staff confirmed five conditions would be attached, including the added water‑testing provision.

The council recorded the approval and moved to the next agenda item. No appeal, variance or additional amendments were recorded at the meeting.