Planning matters took up only a portion of the latest Austin City Planning Commission meeting.

A discussion of the city’s efforts to acquire properties for a new Mower County Jail and Justice Center took up more.

Chris and Sarah Iverson, Innovative Signs, Austin Independent School District, George’s Pizza and the Austin Main Street Project were all winners Tuesday night.

The Iversons sought a conditional use permit for operation of a photography studio in their home at 1106 Fourth St. S.E.

Questions from the commissioners verified there is adequate off-street parking, and the photographer will operate a digital-only studio without use of print film or chemicals for developing. The request was approved.

Two sign appeals were also approved by the commissioners and will go to the Austin City Council for approval Monday.

A “Larry Gilbertson Track” sign at 301 12th St. N.W. (the Wescott Athletic Field complex), measuring 3-by-20 feet, will be allowed despite being in non-compliance with the city’s sign ordinance.

City planning director Craig Hoium said, despite being oversized, the sign is not “offensive nor illuminated.”

Commissioners agreed and granted the appeal.

The sign honors a retired Austin High School teacher/coach for which the running track is named. The request was approved.

George’s Pizza plans to move from its current location to the former location of South Central Athlete along North Main Street. However, the sign would encroach the public right-of-way by 7 feet, 2 inches, according to the planning director.

The restaurant is part of Mower County’s attempt to buy out the Robbins block across First Street Northeast from the Mower County government center and courthouse.

It found a new home at 209 North Main St., and the owners want to display their current restaurant sign at the new location.

Belita Schindler, chairwoman of the Austin Main Street Project, called the relocation a “terrific” plan for the downtown.

Paul Martin, a restaurant manager, said it was the desire of the owners to keep alive all the ambiance of the current restaurant at the new location, including signage.

Hoium said the structural connection of the sign to its new building location will have to be done by a structural engineer to ensure its integrity above the sidewalk.

The request was approved.

The planning director updated commissioners on progress with the city’s acquisition of properties for construction of a new Mower County Jail and Justice Center.

According to Hoium, only three properties remain to be acquired by the city: Steve’s Pizza, Anytime Fitness and the former Colonial Bar building.

Abatement work in the buildings acquired by the city begins next week with the demolition of the first building scheduled to begin Oct. 27.

Beltone and Dave Thompson’s insurance agency are moving to the building containing the Donut Connection.

Culligan Soft Water will move to a new location along Eighth Street Northeast across from the Hormel Foods plant, where a thrift store was once located.

According to Hoium, the other businesses acquired by the city are going out of business: including Showgirls Saloon and Thirsty’s Bar.

Steve’s Pizza has signed a purchase agreement to take over the Granle’s Custom Framing and Art Gallery building at the corner of North Main Street and Fourth Avenue Northwest in downtown Austin.

The owners will take possession of their new building Jan. 1, and hope to continue to operate their restaurant business at the current Second Avenue Northeast location until they can move into the new location.

The owners of Anytime Fitness at the corner of Fourth Avenue and First Street Northeast is scheduled for a condemnation hearing Nov. 12.

City attorney David Hoversten continues a title search.

The development agreement between the city and Mower County calls for the two blocks to be cleared and ready for construction of a new jail and justice center by Dec. 31.

Hoium said the process to acquire the properties located in the area bounded by First and Second Streets and Fourth and Second Avenues Northeast began last spring.

Mower County Board chairman Richard Cummings said on Tuesday he was satisfied the city is making a “good faith” effort to acquire the properties in question and that the county will not interfere with negotiations.

Commissioner Lon Skalicky, a real estate broker, called Anytime Fitness a “very nice building” and said he was personally aware of because of his private real estate business dealings.

Skalicky wondered aloud, “Is there a contingency plan to save it?”

Hoium said the condemnation hearing’s judge will decide the fitness center’s fate.

McCarthy also inquired of the fate of the residents of apartments in the former Colonial Bar building and the relocation allowances they have received.

The planning director told her they have received relocation housing allowances and that some of the residents of the apartments have already moved.