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AGENDA RECOMMENDATION |
Public Hearings 7.B.
City Council Regular Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 07/14/2025
Agenda Item:
Resolution approving a Land Use Plan amendment to change the guided land use from Public-Semi-Public to Central Business District (401 South 2nd Street); by request of Big Blue Hospitality, LLC.
Recommendation/Action(s):
At the May 28, 2025, meeting, the Planning Commission recommended adoption of the resolution amending the Land Use Plan.
Summary:
Big Blue Hospitality, LLC, has a land use amendment to change the land use designation of the property from Public-Semi-Public to Central Business District to allow for the redevelopment of the existing post office.
In accordance with Mankato's City Charter, on April 28, 2025, the Mankato City Council referred the Land Use Plan request to the Planning Commission for review and consideration. The Commission reviewed the request at their May 28, 2025, meeting, and has provided a recommendation of approval with conditions. Following the Planning Commission's review and with their recommendation, the City Council will conduct a public hearing before adopting the proposed plan or modifications by resolution, with or without amendments.
Land Use
The City of Mankato Land Use Plan is utilized for guiding and accomplishing the coordinated, adjusted, and harmonious development of the city and its environs which will, in accordance with present and future needs, best promote health, safety, order and general welfare. As a guideline, the Land Use Plan is not a zoning document. The policies, goals, and objectives are complimentary to the City of Mankato Comprehensive Plan and the City of Mankato Strategic Plan. The Land Use Plan is intended to promote efficiency and economy in the process of development, including, among other things, adequate provisions for traffic; the promotion and protection of environmentally sensitive areas, distribution of population, providing housing alternatives, the promotion of good civic design and arrangement, efficient expenditure of public funds; and the adequate provision of public utilities and other public requirements.
There are two components to the land use plan, which are text and the map. The text provides policies, goals, and objectives. In addition to the policies, goals, and objectives, the Land Use Plan includes location criteria for each of the land use classifications.
The proposed land use plan changes should address the items listed in the land use plan under the policies, goals, and objectives. For this request, the applicant is proposing to change the property which has the land use classifications from Public-Semi-Public to Central Business District.
Proposal
The applicant is proposing to amend the Land Use Plan from Public-Semi-Public to Central Business District for the redevelopment of the existing Post Office. The area proposed is bordered by three public roads: Broad Street to the West, Jackson Street to the North, and Broad Street to the East (R01.09.18.107.001).
The applicant is proposing a redevelopment scenario which would include a restaurant, event center, roof deck patio, and office space. A new hotel and parking ramp are proposed on the eastern portion of the property adjacent to Broad Street.
To engage the community, the applicants hosted two neighborhood meetings on March 31st and April 3rd, to discuss the project with adjacent property owners. No residents were in attendance and no negative feedback was received.
The applicant has submitted a traffic study to address traffic impacts on the project.
Moving forward
Prior to any future development, the applicant will be required to submit zoning requests for rezoning of the subject parcels, platting, planned unit development requests, and any other applicable zoning requests.
In accordance with Mankato's City Charter, on April 28, 2025, the Mankato City Council referred the Land Use Plan request to the Planning Commission for review and consideration. The Commission reviewed the request at their May 28, 2025, meeting, and has provided a recommendation of approval with conditions. Following the Planning Commission's review and with their recommendation, the City Council will conduct a public hearing before adopting the proposed plan or modifications by resolution, with or without amendments.
Land Use
The City of Mankato Land Use Plan is utilized for guiding and accomplishing the coordinated, adjusted, and harmonious development of the city and its environs which will, in accordance with present and future needs, best promote health, safety, order and general welfare. As a guideline, the Land Use Plan is not a zoning document. The policies, goals, and objectives are complimentary to the City of Mankato Comprehensive Plan and the City of Mankato Strategic Plan. The Land Use Plan is intended to promote efficiency and economy in the process of development, including, among other things, adequate provisions for traffic; the promotion and protection of environmentally sensitive areas, distribution of population, providing housing alternatives, the promotion of good civic design and arrangement, efficient expenditure of public funds; and the adequate provision of public utilities and other public requirements.
There are two components to the land use plan, which are text and the map. The text provides policies, goals, and objectives. In addition to the policies, goals, and objectives, the Land Use Plan includes location criteria for each of the land use classifications.
The proposed land use plan changes should address the items listed in the land use plan under the policies, goals, and objectives. For this request, the applicant is proposing to change the property which has the land use classifications from Public-Semi-Public to Central Business District.
Proposal
The applicant is proposing to amend the Land Use Plan from Public-Semi-Public to Central Business District for the redevelopment of the existing Post Office. The area proposed is bordered by three public roads: Broad Street to the West, Jackson Street to the North, and Broad Street to the East (R01.09.18.107.001).
The applicant is proposing a redevelopment scenario which would include a restaurant, event center, roof deck patio, and office space. A new hotel and parking ramp are proposed on the eastern portion of the property adjacent to Broad Street.
To engage the community, the applicants hosted two neighborhood meetings on March 31st and April 3rd, to discuss the project with adjacent property owners. No residents were in attendance and no negative feedback was received.
The applicant has submitted a traffic study to address traffic impacts on the project.
Moving forward
Prior to any future development, the applicant will be required to submit zoning requests for rezoning of the subject parcels, platting, planned unit development requests, and any other applicable zoning requests.