Red Wing City Council briefs

Apartment building moves forward

A 60-unit apartment building planned for Old West Main Street moved a step closer to reality Monday after the City Council approved a conditional-use permit and variance request.

The issue had come before the council two weeks ago, but was put on hold due to concerns, mainly about parking. The developers asked for an exception to the Red Wing rule that it have two spots for every unit.

Some council members were concerned about the proposal to count existing spots in front of the proposed site toward the total and potentially change the parking rules there to allow vehicles to stay overnight.

The developers added five spots to their on-site parking, bringing the total to 105 between a garage and lot, and said they would be fine with leaving the current restrictions on the spots in front of the site.

Kenneth Bush of Northstar Development Partners said the group still is working with the owner of Sears, which currently is located on the site proposed for the apartment building, but hopes to break ground in the spring of 2014.

Council member Peggy Rehder abstained from a vote on the permit and variance. The council unanimously approved a drainage and utility easement matter for the property as well.

City covers some street paving costs

The City Council voted unanimously to approve assessments for street work in the Charlson Crest Fifth Addition and Highlands of Red Wing areas and will cover the charges to owners who purchased from the developer.

The council decided in August to move forward with the paving projects. The work was supposed to be done by the developer, but the company was foreclosed on before the developments were complete. However, when the homeowners bought the properties, they were told by the developer that the work was included in the price.

The city was not involved in that agreement, but council members indicated they would be willing to absorb the assessments for properties purchased from the developer. The bank that owns the rest of the lots, and those that purchased from the bank, still will pay assessments.

The cost to the city is $21,580 for both developments.

In other news…

• The City Council decided to give the Red Wing Chamber of Commerce $6,000 for the Cabela’s National Walleye Tournament to be held here later this year.

• Council members accepted the evaluation for Council Administrator Kay Kuhlmann. Her ratings were above standards in all aspects, the Personnel Committee reported. “Kay has continued to receive high ratings in completing council directives.”

• Goodhue County Board Commissioner Ron Allen told the council Monday the board will talk at its next meeting at 9 a.m. Feb. 19 about the possibility of moving the historical society to the Citizens Building.

• The City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Francis Anderson to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board for a term ending Dec. 31, 2017.

Meeting watch

Monday’s City Council meeting lasted about four hours before members entered a closed session to discuss Mississippi National Golf Links litigation.

— Compiled by Danielle Killey, staff writer

Tags: red wing, city council, government