The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

September 15, 2008

North Kato OKs house shift

Council also approves rosary garden

By Mark Fischenich

NORTH MANKATO — Two variances were approved by the North Mankato City Council Monday night — one for itself and one for the Blessed Virgin.

The first exception to city planning rules will allow a house to be squeezed into a lot at 506 Garfield Avenue, making a place for a home that’s being moved to clear room for an expansion of the municipal library.

Some neighbors on Garfield objected last month to the city plan — which involves demolition of what’s believed to be the smallest house in Nicollet County. Once that 280-square-foot house is gone, the 938-square-foot house at 925 Nicollet Ave. will be moved there by the city.

The Nicollet Avenue home is currently located where the library expansion will occur. Neighbors believe the Nicollet house is too large for the Garfield lot, and it doesn’t quite fit under city setback rules. But shifting the placement of the house slightly west and narrowing the new driveway by two feet softened the opposition, and the variance was approved unanimously by the council.

“I think it’s going to be a good addition to the neighborhood, I really do,” said Councilman Bill Schindle.

The second variance request came from Mary Zellmer of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, who had a powerful ally as she sought a variance to allow the construction of a rosary garden on the north side of the church.

And councilwoman Diane Norland wasn’t talking about Mayor Gary Zellmer, Mary’s husband, when Norland said she

didn’t think she could vote against the garden — a set of stepping stones in the shape of rosary, surrounding a fountain and including a statue of the Virgin Mary.

“It might come back to haunt you,” Mary Zellmer joked of Norland’s concerns about the potential backlash for a “No” vote.

“I would expect bolts or something like that,” Norland said.

The variance, required because the garden would include a wrought-iron fence that is taller than the city code allows, was approved without opposition.

The council wasn’t the last higher authority that needs to be consulted before the garden can be constructed. The Holy Rosary Parish Council will hear the proposal Monday night, and then it will be presented to the congregation.

Mary Zellmer said the idea arose when members of the church were thinking of putting a prayer garden on the space between the church and Grant Avenue. When looking at possible designs, it then occurred to them that — given the church’s name — a rosary garden was the obvious choice.

With the variance approved, the idea’s future is now in the hands of the parish council, the congregation and potential donors.

Mayor Zellmer abstained on the vote.

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