Waite Park City Council Gives Green Light to Two Business Relocations

(KNSI) — Waite Park has given the thumbs up to two conditional use permits allowing two businesses to relocate within the city.

During Wednesday night’s city council meeting, Schulte Transmission got approval to move from 18 2nd Avenue North to 408 3rd Street North. Co-owner James Schulte says it’s a family business with six employees and three generations. “We opened back in the early 80s. My dad and uncles started the business and now, my brothers and I have taken over the business, and I’ve been running it for about the last 15 years. Now I have my son working for us, so he’s going to become partner with us and become part of the business.”

He says the new location will allow the business to grow. “[It will be] easier for upgrades to the building moving forward. The building is a lot bigger. There are a lot taller ceilings. We are going to be able to expand just a little bit more and do a little bit more business.”

Schulte would operate a major automotive repair business where Poganski Automotive stands today. The city revoked Poganski’s conditional use permit due to nuisance violations. Poganski has been allowed to operate without a CUP in the short term.

The sale should close in June.

The council also approved Banfield Pet Hospital moving to the Marketplace Shopping Center on 2nd Street South. The veterinary clinic is currently inside PetSmart. The new site is zoned B-2 for commercial and general business, which requires a conditional use permit for an animal hospital.

Exterior signage for the new site would have to be approved through a permit in the future. A possible kennel run for the dogs is not included. It has yet to be decided if the Banfield location inside PetSmart will remain open.

The issue was expected to come before the city council on January 3rd, but the session was canceled due to the weather.

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