NEW ULM — The New Ulm Planning Commission unanimously approved several applications and requests Thursday.

A conditional use permit (CUP) to allow the New Ulm Youth Wrestling Association to occupy and use a new building for youth wrestling activities in an I-2 (general industrial district) came on a motion by Jeff Dittrich, seconded by Annie Earl.

Tony Ruch applied for the permit on behalf of the youth wrestling association, to build a 33,000 square feet building on four lots on the 1600 block of German St. S. on property now owned by Bev Luneburg.

The City has previously allowed youth sports organizations to operate in industrial zoning district. The uses have been compatible with surrounding industrial uses.

Community Development Director Dave Schnobrich said he received concerns about bike trail access and New Ulm Steel crusher issues.

New Ulm Wrestling Club President Jessica Henderson said the club has used buildings nearby that housed batting cages in the past and had no problems.

“Most of our practices are in the evenings and weekends, when New Ulm Steel is closed,” said Henderson.

The commission also approved:

• A city code variance to allow a 13 feet front yard setback for building a 20′ x 26′ attached garage at 1213 Hauenstein Drive, motion by Earl, seconded by Cate Macho.

• City code variances from the front, rear, side, lot area, lot coverage and lot frontage requirements requested by Mike Kral of M&D Properties, LLC to all attached storage condominiums at 323 19th North Street, motion by Dittrich, seconded by Earl.

Kral proposes to build a storage building condominium project consisting of two new storage structures and an existing storage building. The two new storage buildings will be divided into 14 individually-owned units.

Kral filed a plat with the City of New Ulm to subdivide the property so each storage unit will be on its own lot. Because of the way the property is being divided and the way the storage units are being built, several variances are required.

Recommended conditions include a common party firewall, up to new construction standards found in the Minnesota State Building Code, built along the common wall of each unit.

• A rezoning request by Bev Luneburg, General Manager, Luneburg Interprises, LLC to rezone from R-3 (multiple family residence district) to I-2 (general industrial district) property located at 1601-1627 German St. S, motion by Macho, seconded by Dittrich.

• A CUP request by Jill Peterson to allow operation of a hair salon asa a home occupation in the R-1 (single family) zoning district at 29 Circuit Drive, motion by Earl, seconded by Macho.

Conditions include hours of operation generally from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., no activity after 9 p.m. each day. Customer parking will be on a hard surface on Peterson’s property.

In a letter, Peterson said “having a single-operator, home salon allows me to offer clients, as well as me, a safer environment. I can limit unnecessary exposure to all viruses and ensure consistent, property safety and sanitization practices.”

• M&D Addition final plat approval, motion by Dittrich, seconded by Macho.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.