City Council Meeting Date: June 2, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Mikayla Schmidt, City Planner
David Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Public Hearing for Ordinance 1094 Vacating a Drainage and Utility Easement within 2420 Bridgewater Ln.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council holds a public hearing for Ordinance 1094 vacating a drainage and utility easement within 2420 Bridgewater Ln.
Summary Report:
GM2 Properties (the Developer) is redeveloping two parcels, Parcel ID - 1711300005
Address - 616 Highway 3 S. and Parcel ID - 1711301002, located in the City of Dundas. As part of the redevelopment, the developer has applied to vacate an existing drainage and utility easement in the City of Northfield at 2420 Bridgewater Ln., to then be dedicated as a new drainage and utility easement in the City of Dundas, with the City of Northfield maintaining drainage and utility rights for the parcels in Northfield that utilize the drainage and utility easement.
The public hearing notice was published in the Northfield News on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Public hearing notices were mailed to property owners within 350’ of 2420 Bridgewater Ln. on May 20, 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- Mikayla Schmidt, City Planner 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.
Background
GM2 Properties (the Developer) is redeveloping two parcels, Parcel ID - 1711300005
Address - 616 Highway 3 S. and Parcel ID - 1711301002, located in the City of Dundas. As part of the redevelopment, the Developer has applied to vacate an existing drainage and utility easement in the City of Northfield at 2420 Bridgewater Ln., to then be dedicated as a new drainage and utility easement in the City of Dundas, with the City of Northfield maintaining drainage and utility rights for the parcels in Northfield that utilize said drainage and utility easement. A drainage and utility easement agreement with the City of Northfield and the City of Dundas is being prepared for the Council’s review when the second reading of the vacation happens.
In addition, the Developer has also applied to request a concurrent detachment and annexation of the land within the City of Northfield, that the easement overlays. The Developer has also applied to have the City of Dundas accept the land as an annexation. This is a process allowed by State Statute where two cities can mutually agree upon a detachment and annexation process, which then is approved by an administrative law judge when both Northfield and Dundas have submitted an approved resolution stating support to concurrently detach and annex. This resolution is also being prepared for the Northfield City Council to review during the second reading of the easement vacation. Staff is supportive of the detachment and annexation.
This is the first reading of the vacation process to coincide with a public hearing to vacate the drainage and utility easement. The second reading is proposed to follow at the June 16th City Council meeting.
According to Northfield Municipal Code Section 15.6:
The council may by ordinance approved by at least five (5) members vacate any street, alley or other public grounds or part thereof within the city. Such vacation may be made only after published notice and an opportunity for affected property owners and public to be heard, and upon such further terms and by such procedures as the council by ordinance may prescribe. A notice of completion of such proceedings shall be filed with the proper county offices in accordance with law.
Staff recommends approval to vacate the drainage and utility easement as the separate agenda item immediately following the public hearing.
Alternative Options:
None recommended.
Financial Impacts:
N/A
Tentative Timelines:
June 2, 2026: Public Hearing and First Reading at City Council
June 16, 2026: Second Reading at City Council
June 24, 2026: Summary Publication in Newspaper
July 24, 2026: Ordinance Takes Effect