109 Elmwood Street East Will Not Be Rezoned

The owners of a duplex at 109 Elmwood Street East addressed the council during the public comment period of the Lanesboro City Council regular meeting on September 8. They requested a zoning change so they could rent the whole duplex as a short-term air B&B rental. A request for a CUP (conditional use permit) had been previously denied, and a commercial zoning had been suggested at that time.

The home had been listed as commercial/residential mixed zoning when the couple purchased the home. They had found that the home was built with commercial below and housing above originally. The couple pointed out that the house right next to them was commercially zoned. In trying to help with rationalization for the zoning change, the couple suggested having artists’ or writers’ residencies, a sculpture garden, a bike shop or possibly a public sauna – things that might bring people to town. They also pointed out that this would not be taking a house off the market.

Planning and Zoning had voted three to two to suggest rezoning the property. During the public comment period, Delia Bell had addressed the council saying she was sad to see more and more houses changing to short term air B&Bs. She felt the more full-time residents the city had, the better it would be. Mayor Alicia Pearson shared that the city had received several emails and letters also opposed to the rezoning.

Ultimately, the council was concerned that approving the rezoning would simply move the issue up the block. A roll call vote was taken with Mindy Albrecht-Benson, Kathy Wade and Chase Bakke voting against rezoning the house, and Joe Cullen and Alicia Pearson voting in favor of the rezoning.

Fire Department Budget

Councilman Chase Bakke, who is also a fireman, brought up his concern that the fire department had faced a $10,000 decrease in funding over the past few years. He asked why the fire department always seemed the first place the city chose to cut budgets. The Fire Department’s Relief Association gambling has been used to provide funding consistently for years.

Bakke shared that the department has two trucks that are overdue for replacement; the department purchases used trucks with relief association funding when they do replace trucks. They also need to replace breathing apparatus at a cost of $180,000. The SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) is over 25 years old. Frustrated, Bakke shared that his emails about trying for a grant for SCBAs had gone unopened by city administration.

Administrator Mitchell Walbridge asked the fire chief why he had not submitted any requests for the SCBA purchases if they needed them.

Albrecht-Benson commented that she was trying to be logical and make the best decisions for the tax payers.

The council decided to change the fire department budget for the upcoming year to $62,881, which would keep the budget the same as last year.

In closing the discussion, Kathy Wade emphasized to the firemen, “You are needed and you are appreciated!”

Other Business

In other business the council:

•Heard from John Nicol and Anna Loney their disappointment in the proposed cut of funding for the Lanesboro History Museum; Nicol quoted several visitor comments including one from the Netherlands who claimed the museum had made it worth the flight to visit;

•Decided to offer the fire department relief association retirees $2,200 per service year instead of the requested $2,300; this will be added to the October meeting agenda along with deciding whether to use PERA for this fund;

•Chose to have Alicia Pearson and Joe Cullen compare data for other city administrators’ compensation, checking the parameters used such as number of employees the cities have, city populations, job descriptions and metro vs. greater Minnesota salaries; the matter was tabled until October;

•Approved changing the yield signs to stop signs at Kirkwood Street East and Ridgeview Lane;

•Referred a request for a 10-minute parking spot designation to Planning and Zoning;

•Approved Beacon Street West parking closure application;

•Accepted the agreement with Driftless Goat Company LLC rental;

•Approved a lease agreement of $3,600 per year for the brush dump; a longer term agreement or possible land purchase may be worked on;

•Decided to counter an offer from the Chamber of Commerce for economic development services; the counter proposal was $14,000 for eight hours per week; an RFP (request for proposals) will be initiated if that offer is rejected;

•Accepted a bid for the assessment of the city hall building which will include an enhanced walk-through and an HVAC assessment;

•Tabled the Lanesboro Day at the Capitol discussion until October;

•Passed a resolution adopting the 2026-2027 preliminary property tax levy totaling $1,062,013.