NEW ULM — A formal recommendation will come before the New Ulm City Council tonight to transfer the duties and responsibilities of the Board of Zoning Adjustment to the Planning Commission.

The Board of Zoning Adjustment unanimously approved the motion at its last meeting to dissolve itself in favor of the Planning Commission taking over.

In the last few years, the Zoning Board held monthly meetings before the Planning Commission meeting. All of the members of the Zoning Board also serve on the Planning Commission, creating an overlap. This change of responsibilities is not expected to have a significant impact on the city.

The council will decide whether to approve a request from Scott Dreckman, on behalf of All-Stor Inc., to amend the city’s comprehensive plan to allow business land uses in place of Medium Density Residential Land Uses at 2122-2136 N. Highland Ave. and rezone the property.

The Planning Commission unanimously recommended the approval at its last meeting.

City staff recommended the approval of the comprehensive plan change and the rezoning request. The change was deemed consistent with the comp plan’s goal. The rezoning request would return the land to a B-2 district. The property had previously been zoned B-2 but was changed to residential to facilitate a potential housing project that never came about.

The request did have public push back from residents in the area. Elaine Paulson and her husband purchased a home near the property four years ago under the impression the land would remain residential. Paulson did not favor the installation of additional storage units as it would change the value of the neighboring properties.

The Planning Commission recommended the change despite objections. The Commission felt the land had little value as residential land.

The final approval rests with the council.

In other news, a public hearing will be held on the final assessment rolls for the 2016 MSAS Improvement Project. The project include road improvements for German St. from 16th S. Street to 19th S. Street and 17th S. Street from German Street to Minnesota Street.

Subsequent hearings will be held to considered multiple petitions for alley improvements.

The city is expecting to approve the transfer of funding of public safety lighting from Public Utilities to the City and authorize the PUC to add a line item on the utility bill for this charge.

In related news, the city will need to approve the removal of the $2 street light charge from the electric customer charge and the addition of a line item of $4.50 on the utility bill to fund street lights effective Jan. 1, 2018.

With security updates at city Hall complete, the council meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m. in its regular location at City Hall Council Chambers.