The New Ulm City C debateouncil held a public hearing Tuesday for proposed 2025 utility, street and alley improvement projects.

The projects include improvements to Bridge Street, multiple alley section and other miscellaneous sidewalk improvements across New Ulm. One of the larger of the utility, street and alley projects was the improvements to the Lakeside Village Addition. It was the only project to draw comments from the public.

Located on the northwest end of New Ulm, Lakeside Village Addition is a housing development consisting of three roads: Lake Avenue, Village Lane and Mack Lane. All three roads are gravel and have no curb or gutter. As part of the 2025 utility, street and alley improvement projects Lakeside Village will receive roadway improvements including a paved road with concrete curb, gutter, and concrete sidewalks. The project also calls for boulevard restoration and street lighting.

During the public hearing, Lakeside resident Tim Anderson questioned why sidewalks were needed for the neighborhood.

Lake Avenue, the street leading into the Lakeside Village Addition is not currently paved, nor is the rest of the addition. The city is planning to installed paved streets with curb, gutter and sidewalk within the next year. Residents have mixed feelings about the improvements.

“It’s not a throughway, the streets are plenty wide,” Anderson said. “I am at a loss for why we need them. I know some of my neighbors who are not overly thrilled with the idea as well.”

City Engineer Joe Stadheim said it is in the city code that whenever the initial curb and gutter is installed, that sidewalks are added. The Lakeside Village Addition was part of a development plan started in 2005. At that time, the project included the eventually installation of sidewalks.

Stadheim said the city’s active transportation plan calls for installation of sidewalks and he recommended moving forward with them.

“I agree sidewalks are always an issue when they get put in,” Council president Andrea Boettger said. “As the community continues to grow and develop it is a safety issue as well. I am for sidewalks as long as it was in the original plan.”

Councilor Tom Schmitz said he understood Anderson’s comments but felt personally it was important to walk and bicycle in the community; especially for children and elderly.

Councilor David Christian favored the sidewalk installation. He agreed sidewalks can be controversial but it has been part of the plan. Christian also said the only time the sidewalk additions were waived is when a bike trail was installed instead of sidewalks.

Stadheim confirmed that bike trails have been placed instead of sidewalks. The extension of N. Highland Ave. saw a paved bike trail. The same happened on 20th South and 20th North.

Anderson said the Lakeside development has changed from the original plan. He said most of the housing was not originally intended. He claimed that after buying his house in 2017 and moving in, he learned zoning had changed. He was not told that before buying the house.

He claimed the housing behind his home was rezoned allowing multiple family housing and now this project would mess up his front yard.

“I am a little unhappy with the way this development has taken place,” Anderson said. “I think you have lowered the value of my property enough.”

Anderson argued the streets were already walkable without sidewalks. He saw kids riding in the streets. He said there is not through traffic in the addition. He believes there is no safety issue. He did not believe paving the streets would improve safety.

Councilor Larry Mack questioned if any zoning changes had been made to Lakeside Village.

Community Development Director David Schnobrich informed the council that no zoning changes had been made to Lakeside Addition since its initial development. He said the multi-family housing in the addition was part of the original zoning plat.

Stadheim said the original development agreement for Lakeside allowed for multi-family housing.

Another Lakeside resident, Threse Novotny, spoke during the hearing but was in favor of the sidewalks. Novotny said she understood Anderson’s concerns because his home was on Village Lane and the front yards were already narrow. However, she said Lake Avenue where she lived, and Mack Lane had larger front yards and could better accommodate sidewalks.

Novotny said her elderly mother recently moved in and they would like sidewalks in Lakeside. The sidewalks would help them walk around the neighborhood.

“Streets can be uneven and she can fall,” Novotny said. “But I can see where [Anderson] is coming from. Village Lane is very hard to put sidewalks in the front yard.”

Boettger asked if a smaller width sidewalk could be considered.

Stadheim said the sidewalk width is five feet and is all within the city’s right-away. The five foot width is standard for this size street.

Councilor Schmitz made the motion to order in plans and specifications for the 2025 Utility, Street and Alley Improvement Project with a second from Councilor Mack.

It was unanimously approved. Boettger said that even though the projects were moving forward, the council could revisit some of the issues if needed.