Jennifer Stolz, general manager of Cook County Whole Foods Co-op, appeared before the Grand Marais City Council on Wednesday, October 31, requesting a land use permit for the reconstruction of the co-op building.
The city reviewed plans and a letter from Arno Kahn, of Builders Commonwealth, requesting the land use permit. Kahn also asked for permission to have segments of the building encroach on the city’s utility easement.
Kahn wrote that the building’s footings would extend into the easement by about 6 inches. The building’s roof overhang soffit would also be over the easement by 18 inches, however it would be at about 15 feet 6 inches above the rear grade. The plans also call for some foam placed horizontally below grade, extending about 4 feet on the rear of the building, also in the city’s utility easement.
City Administrator Mike Roth said he had shared the information with City Attorney Chris Hood and they believed the encroachment would not cause the city any problems. Roth said the footings were not far enough into the easement to bother the city’s utility lines but he noted that the soffit overhang could have the potential to interfere with maintenance of service lines. It could make it slightly more difficult to maneuver equipment. However, he added it was unlikely. “We wouldn’t want to be working within 18 inches of a building anyway,” he said.
The below-grade foam was of little consequence as well, said Roth, noting that if the city needed to dig in the easement, it could dig through the foam, which the co-op agreed would be acceptable to them.
Finally the co-op asked for permission to place their propane tank in the right of way of 1st Street behind their building, adjacent to the storm water pond. Roth said he had requested documentation from the propane supplier that this was acceptable before proceeding.
After questions about the city’s access and the legal agreements on a utility easement, the council passed a motion approving the concept of the land use plan and directing the city attorney to draft the necessary agreement, paving the way for the co-op to proceed with its rebuilding plans.
Mayor Larry “Bear” Carlson asked what would happen to the mural created by local elementary school students on the co-op’s exterior wall. Stoltz replied that what happened to the mural was not part of her job responsibility. She said she had been tasked with getting the proper permits in place.
In other business:
. Maggie Barnard of the Cook County Visitor’s Bureau and Bev Wolke of the Grand Marais Chamber of Commerce asked the council for approval of a street permit for the Grand Marais Annual Christmas Parade on Friday, November 23. Although an application had been submitted, City Administrator Mike Roth said he had not received it. However, council said they supported the event and granted approval pending the completion of the necessary documents.
Barnard invited council members to the parade, which is dubbed “Oh Ole Night,” a celebration of the town’s Scandinavian heritage. The event will include the parade with prizes, an UFF DA! Christmas Sweater Contest, visits with Santa, and cookies and apple cider at Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply.
. Bill Lenz, the city council’s park board representative, reported that beaver have been causing problems in the Grand Marais Rec. Park campground. He said they are gnawing on trees. Something may need to be done to protect the trees. Councilor Jan Sivertson said this should be pursued. “Downtown Grand Marais doesn’t have a lot of trees. We want to keep them.”
. The council unanimously approved an application for on-sale liquor at the Harbor House Grill.
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