NEW ULM– Every ash tree in the city right-of-way that comes down this fall will be replaced next spring. The New Ulm City Council previously approved a contract to remove 240 ash trees from the city boulevard. During Tuesday’s meeting, a second contract was awarded to replace the trees with seven different species.

The low bid was Leading Edge Landscaping $64,575 which breaks downtown at $205 per tree.

City Planner John Knisley said the goal is to replace each tree 1-to-1 by the block. If a property owner does not want a tree replanted in that location in front of their home, an alternative location will be found for the tree; either in another boulevard or in another city property like a park.

The tree removal will take place in October with the replanting to occur in spring 2023. Knisley said the city had a certain amount of available funds for this project and limited the removal and replacement of ash trees based on the bids.

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The council approved a 1-foot sideyard setback variance for a concrete parking slab at 1810 Oakwood Ave.

The proposed slab is 10.5 feet by 60 feet and is located on the north side of the home for parking a camper. The slab would be four feet from the property line rather than five feet.

This property had no alley to the rear of the property, making it difficult to access the backyard with a vehicle. Placing the parking pad in the side yard was determined to be more practical than placing it in the back yard.

The New Ulm Planning Commission recommended approval by a 4-1 vote. To approve, the commission needed to identify unique circumstances related to the property that does not generally apply to other property.

The commission believed the lack of alley and limited option for placing the pad made the property unique, though this was not a unanimous opinion.

The council accepted the majority recommendation. Councilor David Christian commented there was likely to be another variance request similar to this because the city’s previous zoning allowed concrete up to the property line.