New Brighton council approves expansion of business
Company will add about 50 employees
The New Brighton City Council on Nov. 26 unanimously approved a site plan and nonconforming use permit for the expansion of a manufacturing business.
According to City Planner Janice Gundlach, Wolkerstorfer Company is a business that involves chemical processing, painting and anodizing of specialty parts. The applicant will construct a single story 9,000-square-foot addition to its existing industrial building at 348 First St. S.W.
The applicant has stated that the site has adequate parking for the existing building and the addition.
City staff has no concerns about the current parking situation and has received no complaints from the public.
Wolkerstorfer is located directly across the street from American Student Transportation’s school bus terminal. The addition will result in two additional semi-truck trips per day, at the most. The city’s public works director has indicated the amount is negligible when compared to the amount of traffic on First Street S.W. already.
No one spoke during the public hearing held during the Nov. 20 Planning Commission. Approval of the request was unanimously recommended by the commission.
“I think the applicant has been more than willing to work with the city on whatever is necessary to make this happen,” Councilmember Gina Bauman said. “I’m always happy to see when somebody can expand their business.”
Councilmember Mary Burg agreed, saying that it’s exciting the business is expanding in the city.
