Lucia's Cocina food truck owner hopes to purchase EDA-owned land, build commercial kitchen

As Waseca is looking for new businesses to come into town, one that’s already around is hoping to upgrade.

Mona Montenegro, owner of Lucia’s Cocina, is planning on purchasing land in Waseca to build a commercial kitchen for her business. The Waseca Planning Commission represented the first obstacle cleared by Montenegro in the process of purchasing the property.

Montenegro intends to take over the property at 513 Elm Ave. W. in Waseca, currently owned by the Waseca Economic Development Authority (EDA). Montenegro plans to buy the property for $1 and develop it into a small commercial kitchen.

Lucia's Cocina specializes in tamales, primarily vegetarian and vegan tamales. Montenegro plans to use the parcel to build a commercial kitchen so that the business can produce the tamales in large batches for online sales.

While the business will have a take out window for customers who wish to stop in and order their tamales to go, it will not be a restaurant.

The Waseca Planning Commission met at its April 9 meeting to discuss the comprehensive plan for the proposed use of the property. The commission was asked by Waseca Director of Engineering Nathan Wiley to view the proposed sale to determine if it conforms to the city’s general plan for development and redevelopment as prescribed in the city’s comprehensive plan.

The comprehensive plan, which was adopted by the city in 2013, serves as a guide for future community growth and development. It consists of goals, background information, and maps that direct the physical, social, and economic development of the city.

Since the property is currently zoned as a Neighborhood Transition Business District, it will not need to be rezoned in order to comply with the proposed use.

Planning Commission Vice Chair Tom Sexton was concerned about the design consultant, since there was none listed in the conceptual layout that was provided to the commission members.

Waseca’s Economic Development Manager Tina Wilson stated that Montenegro is working with a company out of Mankato, and since it is just a concept, there should be no concern. Montenegro will present an official site plan down the road.

Sexton was thinking about the next step in the process, which is the EDA considering authorizing the sale of the property at a future EDA meeting.

“It brings into question whether or not the mayor, because we know he’s a design consultant, will be able to vote on this,” Sexton said at the Planning Commission meeting. Waseca’s mayor Randy Zimmerman serves on the city’s EDA.

Wilson assured that the question at the meeting should be concerning the comprehensive plan and if the concept conforms with it.

Sexton also had questions about lake overlay and delivery trucks. Since the property is by Loon Lake, he questioned if the concept for the proposed commercial kitchen is compliant with the lake overlay. Wiley stated that is does meet the requirement.

Sexton wondered if delivery trucks would be able to fit in the parking lot of the property during deliveries.

“Mona has indicated that the truck that she uses will fit in that parking lot,” Wiley replied. “She didn’t seem to think that would be an issue.”

Wilson added that Montenegro will receive shipments from a box truck, and the proposed parking lot would be compliant for them.

With all of his questions answered by city staff, Sexton made a motion to agree that the sale of the EDA-owned property is consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan and recommended that the item be forwarded to the EDA for consideration. The action was passed on a 4-0 vote by the Planning Commission members. The topic now heads to the EDA.