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By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
The Caledonia City Council approved variance requests for two property owners, and the sign specifications for a third property owner during the Feb. 11 meeting. The variance requests involved new construction projects, while the sign specifications are for a new business coming to downtown Caledonia.
•The first request was made by Nick Gengler, 317 South Pine Street, who is proposing to construct a 30 by 40 foot garage and storage building on the same spot as an existing building.
Gengler needed four separate variances for the project. He needed a 52 foot setback variance on the west side, a 31 foot setback variance on the south side, a 50 foot setback variance on the north side and a 7,472 square foot variance on minimum lot size. His lot is 12,528 square feet and for the size building figured in with existing buildings, he would need a 20,000 square foot lot to be in compliance with the city zoning code.
A public hearing was called to see if any of Gengler’s neighbors had any concerns or issues with the project. There was no public comment. After reviewing the plans, the council unanimously approved the four variance requests.
•Jim Jennings of Caledonia Tru Value, 520 Old Highway Drive, submitted a zoning application to construct a 40 by 50 foot addition on the south side of the existing building. The addition would be located approximately 18 feet from the south property line, requiring two setback variances.
Because the project is adjacent to State Highways 76 and 44, Mn/DOT had to be notified. According to Zoning Administrator Mike Gerardy, the city received a letter from Mn/DOT stating they didn’t have any problems with Jennings’ proposal.
There was no public comment during the required public hearing, and after reviewing the plans, the two variance requests were approved.
•Don Roble, owner of Mike’s Meats of Eitzen, submitted a zoning application for a 4 by 6 foot sign to be erected on the front of the former Rice building at 107 East Main Street. A portion of the building, owned by Jon and Karen Hagerott, has been leased by Roble, who plans to open a retail meat market. He hopes to have the new business open by spring.
After reviewing the plans, the council unanimously approve them.
In other council action
Energy audit conducted
Gerardy reported that an energy audit was conducted by two representatives from Dairyland Power and one from Tri County Electric on all the city buildings.
It took the three energy experts over three hours to inspect all of the city buildings. They inspected heating systems, windows, doors, lighting systems, and the amount of insulation in walls and roofs.
The city will be receiving an in-depth report in the near future. Because the city of Caledonia is one of Tri County Electric’s biggest users, the energy audit and report will be free of charge.
Summer rec director sought
Even though the swimming pool is empty, and the ball fields are covered with two feet of snow, the city is in the planning stages for the summer rec program.
Mayor Mike Morey told the council the Park and Rec Committee has recommended to change the parameters of the summer rec director.
Morey said the committee felt they needed to find someone who would do more of the management of the program, and pay that person a higher wage, in the $17.50 to $22.50 per hour range. To offset the additional cost of a higher salaried director, the city would attempt to recruit parents to help coach some of the teams. The youth ball program would still have some paid coaches and umpires, but not as many, according to Morey.
The city will begin advertising for a summer rec director, youth ball coaches, as well as life guards and a swimming pool manager.
You can contact Charlie Warner at
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