Melrose Council Approves New St. Mary's Church Permit and Height Variance

MELROSE — October 18, 2018 — Melrose City Council unanimously approves new St. Mary's Church permit over restoration objections. The council voted to approve conditional use permit No. CUP-2018-403 and height variance No. VAR-2018-103, clearing the way for a new approximately 800-seat church at 755 Craft Drive Southeast with a bell tower reaching 120 feet — matching the height of the fire-damaged original. The council also approved a stand-alone abatement agreement replacing a contested 24th permit condition, securing St. Mary's Church's written commitment to cover costs from nuisance conditions on the existing structure, insulating city taxpayers from potential liability. Architect Marie Mack, president of HMA Architects, told the council soil borings showed "mostly sand and gravel" and no construction concerns. Several residents from Friends to Restore St. Mary's urged the council to table action, citing an active Minnesota Environmental Rights Act lawsuit and what one speaker described as roughly $12 million in available insurance funds sufficient for restoration — but city staff noted state law required a ruling within 60 days or the permit would be automatically approved.