Bizbeat: Clear Light Yoga center opens in Rosemount

Yoga fever has arrived in Rosemount. The Clear Light Yoga and Enrichment Center opened Oct. 27 in a former dance studio at the intersection of County Road 42 and Hwy. 3. Owner Christy Runningen said her goal is to combine yoga with personal development and career coaching to "help people get strong physically, emotionally and intellectually in all aspects of their lives."

The 3,000-square-foot center has two studio spaces, and because it formerly operated as a dance school, it required little renovation, Runningen said.

Runningen said her business combines her interest in yoga, which she has practiced for about five years, with her professional background in human resources. She will conduct individual career- and life-coaching sessions while four instructors will handle the yoga classes.

Law firms merge

ASK Financial LLP, an Eagan-based law firm that specializes in bankruptcy avoidance action and commercial law, recently acquired Neiger LLP, a New York law firm. The newly merged firm will go by the name of ASK LLP and will focus on all aspects of bankruptcy, corporate and commercial law.

Managing partner Joe Steinfeld said the addition of Neiger allows ASK to offer a broader range of services and gives it access to the New York market. Neiger will keep its New York offices. The combined operations have 11 attorneys.

Home building boom

The most recent Keystone Report compiled for the Builders Association of the Twin Cities showed strong gains for the first 10 months of this year compared with the same period in 2011.

Lakeville had 300 units versus 117 last year, the county's largest number of permitted units. The number of permitted units in Eagan was up from 55 to 139. Burnsville's unit total rose from just eight last year to 77.

Permitted units increased from 22 to 40 in Apple Valley, from 14 to 34 in Hastings and from six to 32 in Inver Grove Heights.

The number of permits in Farm-ington increased from 57 to 63 while units declined from 143 to 63. Rosemount's permits fell from 57 to 50 while units declined from 57 to 53.

Rosemount project reviewed

Both the hotel and SuperAmerica station are part of Rosewood Commercial, an eight-lot subdivision to be developed by KJ Walk Inc. of Savage.

At a public hearing late last month, residents told the commission they opposed the project, citing traffic, noise and access concerns. After discussing issues raised by the residents, the commission recommended the City Council deny zoning and permit approval for the station but recommended approval of plat and planned unit development applications for the hotel.

The City Council is scheduled to consider applications for both properties on Nov. 20.