HERMANN – The Hermann Board of Aldermen Monday night took little time in upholding the recommendation of the city’s Planning & Zoning Commission to not allow new guesthouse development within the Downtown Historic District.

Ward 1 Alderman Dolores Grannemman, the board’s liaison to the P&Z panel, said of the planning commissioners, “We didn’t think it would benefit the city as a whole.”

Grannemann commented on the recent planning panel session while wielding the gavel Monday in the absence of Mayor Bruce Cox. Grannemann had just been sworn into office for a second two-year term and elected by the other aldermen to serve as the new board president.

The proposal to allow guesthouse development in the Historic District was offered several weeks ago to the Board of Aldermen by businessman Brian Jett, who argued that guesthouses would help strengthen the District and help ensure the flow of tourists into Hermann.

But members of the Planning & Zoning Commission were resolute in their concern about having more single-family homes converted into multi-bedroom short-term rental property — especially at a time when the Hermann community is losing population and the Gasconade County R-1 School District is losing enrollment and the state funding that’s tied to enrollment.

The BOA initially referred Jett’s proposal to the P&Z panel for its review. After hearing comments from about a dozen residents, the advisory planning commission unanimously registered their opposition. In its recommendation to the aldermen, the P&Z members said the proposal should be rejected.

The aldermen Monday night took no action, thereby upholding the planning panel’s recommendation. The BOA has the final voice on such matters and it can accept a P&Z recommendation, reject it or set the conditions of allowing a project.

In other matters during the board’s first regular session of the month, aldermen heard of a change coming to the annual Freedom Fest fireworks display. This year, the event at Riverfront Park will be held on Friday, July 3, with a new location for the launching of fireworks. As outlined by Hermann Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Melissa Lensing, the fireworks will be set off from the boat ramp area in Riverfront Park with visitors looking to the west for the aerial explosions.

The change in launch site was made necessary when the position across the Missouri River was no longer available.

Because of the time needed to set up the fireworks and to ensure safety of boaters, the city will prohibit boat traffic in the area of the ramp.

Aldermen also granted first-and second-round approval to legislation authorizing agreements with a construction company for the relocation of a section of natural gas pipeline in Montgomery County that serves the communities of Hermann, New Haven, Berger and Middletown.

The aging pipeline system is owned by Hermann. The cities for years have been setting aside funds for the eventual replacement of the line, which officials say will be an expensive project. Indeed, the relocation of about 7,100 feet of pipeline will cost more than $2 million.

According to the legislation adopted by the board, the pipeline runs under the site of a planned development in Montgomery County. That developer is requesting the pipeline be relocated “to accommodate the developer’s planned development.”

Hermann will contract with Utility Safety and Design, Inc (USDI) to relocate the section of pipeline at a cost of $2,075,321. The legislation said the city has negotiated an agreement with the developer in which the developer will reimburse the city for the cost.

The BOA also approved the hiring of Kohlt Witthaus as a Youth League basketball referee; the appointment of Laura Schulte to the city’s Tourism Commission; the approval of the bid of $15,900 from Braik’s Tree Service for electrical right-of-way work in the Industrial Park; and the approval of the bid of $14,530 from Fletcher Reinhardt for transformers.

The aldermen also approved a Caterer’s Permit for Adam Puchta Winery for Maifest, Saturday, May 16 on Schiller Street; a Festival Event Application from the Brush & Palette Club for the annual Arts & Crafts Festival at Hermann Middle School Oct. 10 and 11 in Hermann Middle School.