An artistic rendering of the remodeled former Ben Franklin building at 126 N. Minnesota St. The New Ulm Planning Commission approved a permit allowing four apartment units to be added through a vertical addition. The building will also hold a wedding events venue and a restaurant.
NEW ULM — Four new apartment units in the downtown business district were approved by the New Ulm Planning Commission Thursday.
The commission approved a permit to allow four apartments to be located at 126 N. Minnesota St. The property is located in a General Business District (B-3).
The building located on this property was constructed in 1971 and consists of four different levels and historically was used for retail purposes, but has been vacant for several years.
The four apartments would be in a vertical addition proposed to be constructed on the roof of the existing building. There will be two apartment units located on the 2nd floor and two units located on the 3rd floor.
Eric Bode applied for the permit on behalf of Zen Franklib, LLC. Bode proposed constructing a two-bedroom, approximately 2,222 sq ft apartments and a 460 sq ft studio apartment on the 2nd floor. On the 3rd floor, the applicant is proposing to construct an approximately 2,222 sq ft and 2,908 sq ft two-bedroom apartments. On the 2nd floor, the applicant is also planning to construct a restaurant and roof deck. A conditional use permit is not required for these uses.
The first-floor use of the building will be used as a venue for wedding events.
Staff recommended approval of the request because the proposed use is the same as other properties in the downtown area. There has been continued interest in residential units above first floor buildings and apartments are already found on the second floors of downtown buildings.
The Planning Commission had additional questions about the organization of the building. The four apartments would be located on the top floors, but a restaurant would also be located on the above floors. The restaurant was is about 1,900 sq ft including the kitchen with seating for 22 people.
Bode said this rooftop patio would be used for additional restaurant seating three seasons out of the year. The space was also available for the wedding venue business.
Bode further clarified the wedding event business and the restaurant were two separate business entities run by different people. The roof deck would be split use between the two on Friday and Saturday during wedding events. The restaurant would also have separate hours during the rest of the week to use the patio.
A side entrance on the North 2nd Street side of the building will allow access to the restaurant via a staircase and elevator.
The wedding venue on the lowest level would also have a catering kitchen. This is not a full kitchen but would be a staging place for bringing food to wedding events.
Bode confirmed he had tenants ready for the entire building. The wedding event business and the restaurant has been filled. There are also four tenants planning to move into the apartments.
Commissioner Mike Furth made the motion to recommend approval of the permit. Furth commended Bode for finding a way to utilize an empty downtown business.
The motion was unanimously approved by the commission.
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A permit was granted allowing the Career Technical Education (CTE) Center in the General Industrial zoning district at 200-226 North Valley Street and 201-211 N. Front St.
The CTE Center’s purpose is to provide high school students exposure and access to technical careers available in the region, allow students to earn credentials/certifications before leaving high school and provide a space for adults to rectify or gain technical skills in a particular trade or technical career.
Staff recommended approval of the request. The city has previously allowed educational facilities to be located in industrial zoning districts.
Commissioner Larry Mack had questions about how students would travel to the center. District 88 Superintendent Jeff Bertrang said students who could drive could drive to the facility. The district would also provide a shuttle bus from the high school. The center would operate in the evening for adult students and could potentially operate on the weekend.
The commissioners unanimously approved the permit for the CTE Center.
2021-05-28 06:03:05Z
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