The four lots are located on German Street between 15th South and 17th South and exist in a medium density residence districts (R-3) and are adjacent to single family homes.

City Planner John Knisley said each of these four vacant lots is 8,250 square feet in size and were first recorded on the city’s zoning map before Oct. 1, 1968. Due to the lots sizing and zoning designation it would be impossible to develop any of the lots without multiple easements.

Last month, a developer reached out to the city with a plan to develop the corner lot at 16th South and German Street. The developer planned to divide the lot and build two single-family homes on the lot but the zoning ordinance, but current zoning standards made development difficult.

Knisley said in order to approve this development plan, the city would need to grant several variances to meet setback requirements. In addition, the other three lots in this area would face the same challenges for anyone wishing to build a residential home.

The four lots outlined in red are the subject to a new ordinance amending New Ulm’s zoning code. The four lots are all located a medium density residence districts (R-3) but cannot be developed for single family homes under current zoning requirements. The proposed amendment would allow single family homes to be constructed on the lots using traditional neighborhood single and two family residence (RT-2) district standards.

Knisley said staff recommended amending the ordinance for all four lots. The amendment would allow Construction of a single-family residence on these lots to use traditional neighborhood single and two family residence (RT-2) district standards for this property instead of the R-3 standards.

Councilor Eric Warmka made a motion to approve the first reading of the ordinance with a second from Councilor David Christian. It was unanimously passed by the council.

A second reading and approval of the ordinance will come before the council during the Tuesday, Dec. 16 meeting.