Two major Decorah projects win approvals

The proposed Fairfield Inn & Suites and the proposed East Water Street Condominiums both won important approvals from the Decorah Board of Adjustment on Monday.

The board approved a variance for the height of the proposed new hotel, a variance for the back of the hotel property and four variances for the parking lot.  All seven variances were needed to make the project work, said consulting engineer Lindsay Erdman.

The board also approved variance for the front and back of Jayme Folkedahl's proposed 16-unit condominium project on East Water Street.  The project got support from several people Monday evening, including from Decorah resident Jerry Aulwes, who told board members, "We need this type of housing."

Folkedahl also won approval from the Decorah City Council for the site plan for the project, meaning he can go ahead and begin construction as soon as the weather allows in the spring.  The project again received support, this time from city council member Gary Rustad, who said it is the perfect development for the property.