Prior to the Monday, April 22 Rushford Council meeting, the Board of Zoning Appeals held a public hearing on whether or not to rezone a portion of Rush Creek Business Park. The zoning request was made by local business owners Leigh and Kayla Volkman for 900 Enterprise Drive. The lot fell under light industrial zoning regulations and they sought rezoning to residential to allow for the construction of a single family dwelling for their home.
Volkmanns are owners of L&L Volkman Auto Body Repair and will own three properties within the city, the current shop at 305 Industrial Drive, an existing building in the business park for a new shop and the additional lot in question. The lot is bordered to the south by Reservoir Road and R-3 residential housing, at the west by Enterprise Drive, and to the north by existing business park businesses. Here, Volkmans would like to construct their residence and initially indicated a potential housing development of three additional homes in the future.
City Engineer Bolton & Menk reviewed the request and provided a letter to the city clarifying right-of-way, storm water, and utility information. Residential lot would require replatting to allow for additional street right-of-way, although it was noted a “minor” road classification may be considered, requiring a 66-foot easement for a 36-foot roadway. Some variance may be needed east of Technology Drive to meet setback requirements.
The letter also noted the Subdivision Ordinance would not require hard surface roadway, provided the road can handle anticipated traffic. New pavement would be assessed 100% to the affected properties.
As for utilities, existing sanitary sewer and watermain abut the northern edge of the proposed area, but an extension was proposed between the two northern lot blocks to provide access to the south two lot blocks. According to the Bolton & Menk, this would require a public utility easement and the engineer recommended against it. In summary, it was noted, “Proceeding with the currently proposed concept would be inconsistent with the type of residential development intended.”
Addressing any concerns, Leigh Volkman noted while the request for rezoning is not the original purpose of the lot, it’s been sitting for 20 years and actively for sale for over two with no interest. “There hasn’t been anything that’s happened there. Things happened that turned these events differently than planned. We felt it was beyond the business park and before the residential area,” said Volkman.
Councilor Terri Benson questioned whether or not concerns were raised by adjacent property owners. City Clerk Kathy Zacher noted both Mike Messenger and Henry Becker were present for the hearing and that the main concern was potential future complaints from residents in the new lot of issues with the surrounding industrial park, such as noise. Zacher indicated the two wanted it noted that the businesses were there prior to any residential.
As for streets, Volkman indicated he was aware the city could require paved roadways including curb, gutter, and street. “We’re not asking for anything to be done up there,” he said. “Developing some of this stuff to the standards of a big city, businesses can’t generate the same cash flow. I don’t know if we need to use those same restrictions here.”
Benson was careful to note the city needs to hold property owners to the same standards that they do others people. “I’m not saying it has to be done now. But, I don’t want it to be an excuse down the road. You know what’s expected.”
“It’s a simple location for us and keeps the cost down,” added Volkman. “We took risk of a business in town and took the risk of expanding; took the risk of another building. We’re saying, just try not to stand in the way of progress.”
After lengthy discussion, the zoning board opted to approve the request for a single family home only, no subdivision, in a 3:2 vote, passing on the recommendation to the city council for consideration. Zacher indicated no real conditions were placed on the rezoning other than if the pair choose to plat a subdivision later, the matter must come before zoning again for approval. The council opted to approve the zoning recommendation unanimously.
In other news, rates for the annual Spring Clean-Up were discussed. The clean-up is scheduled for Saturday, May 18, from 8 a.m. to noon, at the public works garage/wastewater plant area. It was determined to keep rates the same as in 2018. “It’s a service, not to make money, but to provide an option for our citizens,” noted Benson.
Rates for the 2019 of the Rushford Aquatic Center were also discussed and approved. “Rates will stay the same as 2018,” said Zacher. “The negative amount is similar and revenue is up. We’re staying within range and doing a little of capital outlay so it doesn’t get away from us.”
Lesson fees for 2019 will be $35-45 for residents in the city and $65-75 for non-residents. Season ticket prices, prior to May 31, are $55 for a resident individual and start at $85 for resident family with one adult and all kids. Non-resident are $95 and start at $125 for families. After May 31 prices are just an additional $10 per classification.
In 2018, 48% of lessons were to residents, 12% Rushford Village, 4% Peterson, and 36% other non-resident. After adding in family and individual season passes, city residents make up 62% of total season usage, Rushford Village 14%, Peterson 8%, and non-resident rounding out the remaining 16%.
The council also approved a request from public works for the trade-in of 2014 John Deere 1445 mower towards the purchase of a John Deere 1550 commercial front mower with mower deck, cab, and auxiliary hydraulic kit. The net cost of the trade is $16,999. “We try to trade in every six years, getting a new mower every three years,” said Public Works Director Roger Knutson, citing strategy to obtain the best trade-in value and maintain budgeting.
At the end of the meeting, discussion was held regarding the recent power outage in the city following a late season snowstorm. The city power went out at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 10 and wasn’t restored until just after midnight, Friday, April 12 due to snapped transmission poles. According to those on the council, MiEnergy crews were on site right away with Dairyland Power crews working to reset poles.
The city of Rushford does not have a backfeed transmission line for these instances, although the topic has been discussed for years. Rushford Municipal Electric Commission has discussed what it would take to get a backup in town and it’s a whopping $1 million per mile to get backfeed line from Dairyland Power, financially unattainable for the city.
The city council was grateful for the work of the crews working to restore power. “These folks were out there and got the job done,” said City Administrator Tony Chladek.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Monday, May 13, at 6:30 p.m., at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
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