The final home to built in the Liberty Street subdivision was grated a variance allowing it to be built 20-feet from from the road instead of 30-feet. The variance was needed due to excess water runoff from the slope in the rear of the property.

NEW ULM – A 10-foot variance was granted by the New Ulm City Council for a twin home construction at 13 and 15 Liberty Street due to excess water runoff.

Sun Valley Properties requested to construct the twin home 20 feet from the front property line. The required front yard setback is 30 feet.

City Planner John Knisley said these lots are the last to be developed in this subdivision. The reason for the variance is due to a steep slope at the rear of the lots. The slope has led to greater water runoff and seepage. By moving the twin home 10 feet closer to the front property line, the hope is to distance the home from the excess water runoff.

City staff believed this was a reasonable request. Knisley said because of a curve in street, the front of the twin home would still line up with the house immediately to the south despite being 10 feet closer to the road.

The New Ulm Planning Commission previously recommended approving the variance following a public hearing. The hearing was attended by several of the residents in the subdivision. Councilor Larry Mack, who is also on the Planning Commission, said most of the residents were concerned about the amount of water coming down the slope.

Knisley said a property above the Liberty Street subdivision was newly graded last year. After a 6-inch rain fall, a temporary storm water pond was breached, causing it to pour into the back yards on Liberty Street.

Knisley said the backyard of the property at 13 and 15 Liberty Street will always excess water issues, but the developer are working to redirect it to the storm water drain across the street.

Councilor David Christian said he was fine with approving the variance. He said with the topography of the property there were limited options.

Councilor Tom Schmitz made the motion to approve the variance. It was unanimously approved by the council.