City Council approves CUP for home-based nail studio, continues work on 3rd Street improvements

The Grand Marais City Council met on April 8 to review a conditional use permit (CUP) for a home-based nail studio in Grand Marais, continue ongoing discussions for 3rd Street improvements, and discuss other agenda items.

The meeting began with several members of the public speaking during the public comment period to express their support for the CUP.

Grand Marais resident Michelle Maldonado Mendez requested a CUP from the city to operate her business, Luxe Nails by Michelle, from her single-family home on 2nd Avenue W. The business would offer manicure services by appointment in a small nail studio in her home.

Earlier this month, on April 1, the Grand Marais Planning Commission reviewed and recommended approval of the CUP, but included three conditions requiring a designated client parking space in the driveway, limiting appointments to before 3 p.m., and allowing only one client at a time. Once the planning commission recommends approval, the matter goes before the city council for final review.

During the city council public comment period, several Grand Marais residents who spoke in favor of approving the CUP cited the need to ensure fairness for homeowners who operate a low-impact home-based business, such as music lessons, nail services, hair salons, or consulting services. Other individuals spoke about the need for nail technician services in the small town.

Several Grand Marais business owners spoke in support of the CUP and echoed the comments shared by others.

The neighbor across the street, who previously spoke in opposition to the CUP at the planning commission meeting, attended the city council meeting to speak in support of the CUP, saying he had an opportunity to speak with Maldonado Mendez and gained a better understanding of the business model.

Maldonato Mendez then spoke during the public comment period about her business, reiterating that it will be low-impact while providing her with supplemental income.

“I’m asking for a fair opportunity. The same opportunity that has been extended to others to operate a low-impact, responsible business,” Maldonato Mendez said.

Maldonato Mendez addressed the 3 p.m. cutoff condition, saying it would limit availability with clients, and asked for more reasonable, balanced conditions. She suggested restricting appointments between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Following the public comment period, City Administrator Mike Roth shared an overview of the planning commission discussion and the conditions included in the CUP. The city council reviewed the CUP and asked additional questions.

Grand Marais Mayor Tracy Benson asked about the time conditions and whether 3 p.m. was reasonable or realistic as a cutoff. Benson also recognized that many homeowners in Grand Marais operate in-home businesses that are low-impact.

“Home-based businesses are not unusual here,” Benson said.

City Councilor Craig Schulte asked about signage and advertising for a business. Maldonato Mendez said she wants to keep her in-home business more discreet and doesn’t plan to post signage on her lawn or driveway.

After some discussion, the city council agreed to remove the 3 p.m. condition and approved changing the operating hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

The city council unanimously approved the CUP with the changes to hours of operation.

3rd Street Improvements

For several years, the council has continued discussions about potential improvements to 3rd Street, prompted in part by the proposed Bjorkberg housing project from developer Jon Petters.

During the April 8 meeting, the city council reviewed several bids for the improvements to 3rd Street.

The city has been working with Jon Loye, the public works project manager with MSA Professional Services, on draft construction plans for the 3rd Street improvements.

Roth said the city now has to decide whether to accept and reward the bid.

Councilor Michael Garry and Ben Peters were absent from the April 8 meeting. The city council suggested waiting until the next meeting to allow Garry and Peters a chance to review the bids before approving.

Kalli Hawkins April 9, 2026