Brainerd council approves new permit process in industrial demolition

A new permit process required before demolition is allowed in industrial districts was approved by the Brainerd City Council.

At a special meeting Thursday, the group held the second reading of an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance that would lay out a more thorough process in obtaining a permit for demolition or decommission in industrial or mixed use districts.

No one spoke during the public hearing. The council then voted to adopt the amendment. Absent was council member Chip Borkenhagen.

The ordinance will take effect one week after publication.

Ultimately, the new process will give the city council more say and oversight in what happens during the demolition or decommission process.

The vote comes at the tail end of a four-month moratorium, which was placed at the councils Dec. 3 meeting, halting demolition in industrial districts. It ends April 3.

The move was in response to the city receiving inquiries from contractors in regard to potential demolition of portions of the former Wausau Paper site.

Staff was concerned because the structures underground will limit the future of the site in building and extending utilities. Other concerns with demolition included: potential noise, vibrations, truck traffic, heavy dust and disposal of hazardous waste.

Since then, the topic was sent to the planning commission to hash out a better process to approve demolitions. The current process is an over-the-counter demolition permit.

That leaves no room for the city to provide input or have a say in what happens in a decommissioning or demolition process.

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Brainerd council approves new permit process in industrial demolition