NEW ULM — The New Ulm Planning Commission received an update on zoning ordinance reviews.

The first two chapters of the zoning ordinance have been reviewed by the Planning Commission. These chapters cover general provisions and application review procedures. Chapter 13 was also reviewed by commissioners and covers rules and definitions.

The next set of zoning chapters, chapters three through seven, have been reviewed by staff and city attorneys. These chapters were given to the commissioners during Thursday’s meeting for their review. Chapters three through seven cover zoning districts; residential zoning, commercial zoning, industrial zoning and special purpose districts.

The staff is currently working to review Chapters eight through ten. These chapters cover overlay zoning districts, uses and development standards. City Planner John Knisley said chapters nine and ten are extremely detailed and will require additional time to review.

Staff is working on scheduling work sessions in November for the commissioners to discuss updates.

The goal is to have the new zoning ordinance documents before the New Ulm City County for the Dec. 21, 2021 council meeting.

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The commission approved the final plat for the Oakwood Heights 4th Subdivision. The street address is 16052 and 16032 Oakwood Heights Road. Staff recommended approval of the plat as it complies with city code requirements.

City Planner John Knisley said the city had previously approved the preliminary plat and nothing had changed with the final plat. No public comments were given on this plat.

The board unanimously approved the plat with conditions. One of the conditions requires the owner to secure a variance with the Airport Zoning Board. The plot will reduce the size of one lot below the three-acre minimum for a parcel near the New Ulm Airport.

A simple lot division was approved for a property at 711 North 20th Street. The property has a width of 50 feet and a total lot area of 2,807 square feet. The division would divide the lot into a 942 square foot parcel and a 1,865 square foot lot.

The lot division will help establish two larger parcels of property in the block, one of which could be sold for development purposes.