At the last Grand Marais City Council meeting on June 8, Councilor Tracy Benson said she had heard nothing about the “pop up” business called The Fly Box on First Avenue until it was under construction. She said she had been questioned by members of the public about the business being created by repurposing storage containers. Benson asked City Administrator Mike Roth if the city council wasn’t informed of the new business because it was a permitted use.
Roth said that was the case. He said the structure met lot size requirements and did not need any sort of variance, so it did not need to come before the council.
During the council reports portion of the agenda, Mayor Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux also said he had heard numerous comments about the “pop up building.” Arrowsmith DeCoux said, “We have to be really careful what precedent we set. It’s not the city’s job to tell people how they can use their property. But we do need to ensure that they are in compliance.”
Arrowsmith DeCoux said one questioner raised a very good point. If the lot between the Gunflint Mercantile/Chuck’s Barber Shop and the Joy & Company building is no longer used for parking, could an additional parking space be created on the street in front of the entrance to the lot?
Councilor Tim Kennedy said he had also had a lot of questions about the business. He added that he would not have had a vote on the business if it came before the council because he owns the lot on which it has been placed.
Approval for new beauty salon
A business that required city council approval was considered. Jeff Cadwell and Susan Schoenborn requested a conditional use permit (CUP) to operate a beauty salon as a home occupation and to build a long-term rental apartment in a detached garage/apartment on their property on 3rd Avenue East. Cadwell and Schoenborn submitted an application explaining their proposal to build a 26’x36’ garage for parking and the salon, with an apartment upstairs.
The Grand Marais Planning Commission recommended approval of the CUP noting that although this is a residential area, operating a beauty salon as a home based business is an allowed conditional use. It was also noted that there are other home occupation businesses—a building contractor who stores materials at his house and another beauty salon—on 3rd Avenue.
Councilor Anton Moody asked if the couple would be charged an additional water and sewer connection fee. Roth said yes. The council unanimously approved the CUP.
In other business
. Councilor David Mills said renovation of part of city hall as a co-working facility at Grand Marais City Hall is nearly complete. He said the Broadband Commission, which is developing the space is waiting for electric locks for users.
. The Grand Marais City Council agreed to hire landscape architect CJ Fernandez to continue the city’s work on the Highway 61 corridor design project. City Administrator Mike Roth explained to the council that the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic Moving Matters project had $5,000 that could be used to hire Fernandez to put together the details gathered from previous public input and to plan how to gather further feedback from the community.
. The council approved the hiring of three seasonal staffers for the Parks Department: Emily Fincel, a part-time seasonal front desk clerk; and Alex Murray and Riley Somnis for part-time seasonal maintenance.
. Roth said there had been some response from the city’s announcement that items at the former Tomteboda Resort property, now owned by the city and being prepared to become the site of a public works facility, were up for sale. Harley Toftey of Grand Marais bid—and was awarded the purchase of a conveyor belt for $301. Len Moskalyk of Thunder Bay was the only bidder and purchased a “No Vacancy” sign for $100.
Leave a Reply