The Park Rapids City Council granted an extension of a conditional use permit (CUP) for Northscape Properties LLC to build a multi-phase self-storage and outdoor boat storage business at 1408 Edmond Dr., zoned B-1 highway business.
According to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office, the LLC is registered to Mark Harmon of Nevis.
City Planner Ben Oleson said the applicant requested a one-year extension to complete the project.
The original permit was granted in March 2024, according to the council’s resolution, which anticipates site work will begin this spring with phase 1 construction to start this summer.
Council member Liz Stone made a motion to approve the extension through March 12, 2026, and it passed 5-0.
In consent items and general business, the council:
- Approved temporary on-sale liquor licenses and a public facilities use permit for the second block of Main Avenue South to the Park Rapids Downtown Business Association for 2nd Street Stage events June 12, 19 and 26, July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 and Aug. 7, 14 and 21 (rain date).
- Approved a public facilities use permit for the Park Rapids Downtown Business Association to block off the first and second blocks of Main Avenue South on July 24 for Crazy Days.
- Appointed Mark Hailstone to the city’s planning commission for the remainder of a four-year term, expiring Dec. 31, 2028.
- Heard City Administrator Angel Weasner report the Feb. 15 snow sculpture contest was a success, with over 1,000 people driving through Depot Park to view the sculptures. “We learned a few things because it was the first one – things to improve on next year,” she said.
- Heard Rapids Spirits Liquor Store Manager Scott Olson report February sales are trending close to 2024 numbers. Olson noted the beer industry is concerned about how new tariffs on aluminum may affect prices for cans.
- Heard Fire Chief Joe Carlson report that February calls for service were tracking ahead of January. “We’re projecting plus-200 fire calls for this year,” he said.
- Transferred $1.25 million in liquor store funds to the PMA (4M) short-term money market fund, an approximately six-month investment.
- Paid A.H. Stock Manufacturing Corp. $10,463 to replace three dump valves and extension chutes on a fire truck, including $284 for shipping. According to a staff memo, funds for this repair will be taken from money budgeted for the city’s new fire truck and will have to be made up next year.
- Paid Hawkins, Inc. $1,428 for water treatment chemicals.
- Paid Hoffman Electric Inc. $3,740 to replace a lift station panel for the sewer department. According to a staff memo, the invoice will be submitted for insurance reimbursement.
- Approved an outside employment request from building official Karl Kampfer to continue operating his tile and firewood processing business in his spare time. According to Kampfer’s letter to the council, his duties as building official will be his top priority before any other work
- Approved Dec. 31, 2024 year-end journal entries. These transfers between funds for expenses during 2024 included $2,000 for the Heartland Express bus service, $32,000 for a future fire truck purchase, $110,646 in internal service charges for public building leases and a further $17,700 in land lease transfers.
- Approved payables totaling $1,181,341 and prepaids totaling $35,424.
- The city council’s next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 at city hall.
