City Council Meeting Date: July 21, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Mathias Hughey, Interim City Planner
David Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Public Hearing for Ordinance 1096 Vacating Drainage and Utility Easements within 504 & 508 Ivanhoe Avenue.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council holds a public hearing for Ordinance 1096 vacating drainage and utility easements within 504 & 508 Ivanhoe.
Summary Report:
The owners of 504 & 508 Ivanhoe Ave., Parcel ID - 2236152002 and Parcel ID - 2236152003, are proposing to combine the two existing vacant lots and construct a new single-family home on the resulting lot. There is a 5-foot-wide drainage and utility easement that runs along the side property line of each lot. If the lots are combined, the city would have no need for the easement(s) that would bisect the buildable area of the lot.
The public hearing notice was published in the Northfield News on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Public hearing notices were mailed to property owners within 350’ of 504 & 508 Ivanhoe Ave. on July 10, 2026. A copy of the public hearing mailing and location map are attached.
Public Hearing Procedure (from adopted City Council Rules of Business):
A Public Hearing is used by the City Council to solicit the public's comments on various projects or City operation procedures.
A. The Mayor will open the hearing by identifying the subject.
B. Staff Presentation- staff will give a presentation on the subject.
C. Applicant's Presentation- if needed.
D. Public Input- The public will have the opportunity to speak for or against the issue. The public may ask questions, make comments, voice support, agree or disagree with the issue.
1. The Mayor will recognize a speaker at the podium and comments/conversation will be between the Mayor and speaker; and between the Mayor and Council Members.
2. At the podium the speaker must give their name, address, and if representing a business, must give the name of the business or corporation. If an Attorney or consultant is representing a client, the client must be identified for the record.
3. Speakers will be allowed to speak a maximum of two (2) minutes per item (not including interpreter’s time, if applicable).
4. Speakers who have material to be handed out to the City Council will pass the material to the City Administrator. The City Administrator will then pass the information to the appropriate people. A minimum of twelve (12) copies are needed.
5. Persons cannot gift their 2 minute speaking time to other members of the public.
E. Questions or Clarifications from City Council - After the public input of the public hearing is completed, the City Council may request questions or clarifications prior to closing the public hearing. This section will be used when there are questions related to the topic on which the public hearing is being held. Questions should be succinct and avoid being rhetorical or leading in nature. Subsequent actions of the City Council provide for opportunities for further questions or clarifications from the City Council.
F. Any material to be entered into the record shall be noted. Any written communication presented to the City Council during a City Council meeting shall be read into the record or summarized for the record or simply delivered to the City Council, as the City Council may determine. They shall then be recorded in the minutes by title and filed with the minutes in the office of the City Clerk.
G. Motion to Close Hearing- The Mayor will state if there is an extension of time for public input into the hearing. If not, the City Council Members will make a motion, second, and vote of the City Council on closing the public hearing.
Alternative Options:
N/A
Financial Impacts:
N/A
Tentative Timelines:
July 8, 2026 - Public Hearing Notice published in the Northfield News
July 10, 2026 - Public Hearing Notice mailed to property owners within 350’
July 21, 2026 - Public Hearing, First Reading (Vacation), and Minor Subdivision
August 3, 2026 - Second Reading (Vacation)
August 12, 2026 - Summary Publication published
September 11, 2026 - Vacation Ordinance goes into effect