Commission approves plat for Scott Equipment property

Patrick Fisher, Staff Writer

The New Prague Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the preliminary and final plat for the property owned and occupied by Scott Equipment at its Wednesday, Dec. 20, meeting.

Dick Lucas, owner of the business at 605 Fourth Ave. NW (Highway 21), has been talking to the city about an additional building or a possible addition to the main building. In preliminary talks, Lucas has been considering a 5,000 square feet addition, although neither that nor a start date for the work has been set.

Lucas first brought the request to the commission at its August 23 meeting. One idea mentioned was to add onto the southeast corner of the building and extend the addition as close to the east property as possible. Lucas owns two properties in the area, one has the main building of the business on it and the second adjacent property has two accessory buildings. Because of the two properties, it was questioned where the rear and side yard setbacks are located.

It was recommended that the two parcels be combined into one lot, allowing Lucas the most use out of his property. It would also make the entire area a corner lot, which would allow Lucas to do the addition he proposed at the August 23 meeting.

The plat before the commission would make the two properties into one, allowing Lucas to proceed with planning for the proposed addition.

New Prague City Planner Ken Ondich said since the property is located next to Highway 21 and Scott County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 37, the county highway department and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) also reviewed the plat.

Scott County requested the drainage and utility easement adjacent to CSAH 37 be 15 feet.

Ondich said MnDOT would have their final recommendations to the city by Friday, Dec. 29.