Posted: 6/20/06
Sprague Woods dedicated to city
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
The Caledonia Green organization has decided to dedicate Sprague Woods to the City of Caledonia. The announcement was made at the June 12 meeting of The Caledonia City Council.
City clerk Robert Nelson said city crews have been performing maintenance work at the site. City attorney Tim Murphy is drafting an agreement for the city to sign.
The site has been maintained in the past by volunteers with the assistance of the DNR Forestry division.
The eight-acre site was dedicated to Caledonia Green in February of 1995 by heirs of the Sprague Estate.
Sprague Woods is located at the intersection of Highways 44 and 76.
One variance approved, one rejected
The council had two zoning applications on the agenda for June 12. One it approved and one it did not.
The first was from Melisse Klug, 624 South Marshall, for removal of an existing garage and construction of a new 26 by 36 ft. attached garage. The application required an 18-ft. setback from the west property line and a variance of 136 sq. ft. for an oversized structure and 600 sq. ft. on minimum lot size.
Klug told the council that she intends to store a boat in the garage rather than on a concrete pad outside the garage.
There were no objections to the request from neighboring property owners.
The council voted to approve the application with 4-1 with Randi Vick opposing.
The other application came from Brandon and Nichole Ranzenberger, 607 South Winnebago, who are proposing a 30 by 39 ft. addition to their home. The application requests a 7-ft. setback from the north property line and a 600 sq. ft. variance on the minimum lot size. The Ranzenbergers were not at the meeting.
Winnifred Schulte and her son, and Mark Schulte, who own farmland adjacent to the Ranzenberger property, attended the meeting with concerns about the proposed project. They said the addition is larger than the current house and will eliminate most of the back yard. There are already sheds and other structures which are encroaching upon their property, they said.
The council voted unanimously to reject the zoning request.
Economic development loans approved
The council approved two business subsidy loans as presented by Joyce Iverson, Community Development Director.
The first loan, for $62,500, is for Caledonia True Value Hardware to assist that business in establishing a store in the highway business district. The 4 percent loan is for 10 years and is guaranteed by the ownerís bank.
Caledonia Oil will receive a business subsidy loan for installation of E-85 pumps. The loan is matched by the American Lung Association.
Two other applications are pending, according to Iverson.
Outdoor fire devices questioned
Clerk Nelson reported that he has received a complaint over an outdoor fire device. In the past, the council has approved the use of enclosed fire pits and similar devices because they were not thought to be fire hazards. However, the council didnít consider them from the standpoint of being nuisances. One person who complained said that people who want to enjoy a fire should go to a park or campground because the smoke produced by the devices is bothersome in the city.
Nelson said he would investigate ordinances from other cities and return to the council with a recommendation.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com