NEW ULM – After reviewing the entire plan, the New Ulm Planning Commission chose to approve the new comprehensive plan with no adjustments.

Community Development Director Dave Schnobrich and City Planner John Knisley presented the comprehensive plan to the commission.

When asked in a survey what people liked most about living in New Ulm, Schnobrich said a clean and well-maintained community, park trails, open spaces and recreational facilities, family-oriented, safety, atmosphere, character, and small city with access to larger cities were the most popular responses.

Popular potential focuses for development in New Ulm include adding shopping businesses downtown, maintaining quality schools, being open and welcoming to new ideas, encouraging new development in and around downtown, developing more housing options and availability, and expanding or improving park and rec areas.

Knisley said the future of land use was crucial. There was a 4% population growth from 2010 to 2020, and future growth of that scale till 2030 could mean an increase of 500 people. Knisley said currently more people work in New Ulm and commute from elsewhere than people who live and work in New Ulm.

Knisley said a balance would need to be struck, as single-family home construction is difficult to achieve and 77% of homes are owned by people 65 and older. He said those homes could be affordable houses for new people looking to move into New Ulm.

Commissioner Anne Earl said there was a conflict because seniors want to stay in these homes and live independently. She asked what the city would do in terms of alternative housing for seniors, as it was not a focus of the comprehensive plan.

“We’re exploring any at all options to help with that problem,” Knisley said. “Understanding those seniors want to still be completely independent. Part of it is just getting the conversation started because we haven’t had that conversation before. We’re going to use this as a tool to show developers there is a need in the city of New Ulm.”

The conversation pivoted to the park and trail systems in New Ulm. Commissioner Joe Schotzko asked about the potential to connect New Ulm’s trail systems with nearby trail systems off to the west and by Mankato.

Knisley said they do currently have a county-wide trail system, but it utilizes a lot of roadways and highways.

“That connection from here to Mankato has been talked about,” he said. “That was being proposed when Highway 14 was researching the four-lane expansion. It didn’t make the budget. I wouldn’t say the idea is dead.”

Earl asked why parks like South Market Park, which are undevelopable due to the terrain, are still on the park map. Knisley said South Market Park was in the original city plan so it would not be leaving. For others, he said it would be a focus on proper utilization.

“We need to take a look at what parks we have, what are their challenges, and how can we utilize them in a bigger way,” Knisley said. “You’re not going to get a baseball or soccer field [in South Market Park]. Is there some type of natural resource area where we could have a trail winding through? You could get off your bike for a little bit while you’re along the bike trail.”

After going through the entire comprehensive plan, commissioners found no major concerns that warranted editing the proposal. It was also a public hearing, but no comments were fielded. Commissioner Cate Macho made the motion to approve the comprehensive plan, with Commissioner Michelle Sellner seconding. The motion was approved unanimously.