NEW ULM — The Planning Commission made a recommendation to allow the installation of a new irrigation well at the New Ulm High School.

Superintendent Jeff Bertrang brought the request on behalf of New Ulm Schools to install an irrigation well on the high school property.

According to documents submitted to the Planning Commission, the purpose of the well is to irrigate existing athletic fields and future practice fileds. Currently four fields for a combined area of 4.98 acres are irrigated and served by the city water system. The school plans to serve additional fields for a total area of 14.42 acres.

The new well would serve all 14.42 acres, while the city water system would continue to supply the school’s drinking water.

The installation and use of a private well is only permitted by a conditional use permit in a residential zoning district.

The Planning Commission unanimously approved the permit on the condition the existing piping is capped and locked to ensure there will not be a reconnection to the city system without the knowledge of the Public Utilities.

Bertrang said this option would be a cost-saving measure for the school district in the long term and it would prevent wasting treated water from the city sources.

“The irrigation well is the best option for us looking forward for the tax payers of the district,” Bertrang said.

The final approval of this request will come before the city council at their next meeting.

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In other news, the commission recommended approval of a variance request for Bill and Joanne Brenna to build a covered front-porch addition into the 30-foot front yard setback. The property is located at 1510 Lee Ave. It is in a single-family residence district.

Building Inspector Ellwood Zabel said a porch or deck could extend six feet into a setback but the cover was the part requiring a variance.

The Brennas wanted this addition to improve their front entrance. They live in a split-level house and the current entrance does not allow a person using a walker or a wheelchair to close the door when ascending the stairs or to open the door when descending the stairs. The size of the entryway restricts them from installing a lift chair.

Bill Brenna said he and his wife have both had procedures done on their knees and this was simply planning for the future.

The commissioners unanimously approved the variance.

DLC Manufacturing President Brent Donner and the President of the New Ulm Economic Development Corporation Jeff Dittrich requested a permit to allow the location of a metal fabrication business on a property zoned I-1 (Planned Industrial District).

A nearly identical request was submitted by DLC Manufacturing in April for a different lot in the same industrial district. This previous request was approved by the commission. After reviewing the original lot with a contactor, DLC Manufacturing learned additional lot space was needed and submitted the latest permit request for a larger lot.

The commission unanimously approved this new permit request.