City Council Meeting Date: August 3, 2026
To: Mayor and Members of Council
City Administrator
From: Mathias Hughey, Interim City Planner
David Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Consider Second Reading of Ordinance 1096 Vacating Drainage and Utility Easements within 504 & 508 Ivanhoe Ave.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves a motion to approve the second reading of Ordinance 1096 vacating drainage and utility easements within 504 & 508 Ivanhoe Ave.
Requires a supermajority (5/7) vote.
Summary Report:
Dean and Julia Albertson (the Applicants) have applied to combine two parcels, Parcel IDs - 2236152002, Address - 504 Ivanhoe Ave., and Parcel ID - 2236152003, Address - 508 Ivanhoe Ave., located in the City of Northfield. Both residential parcels are vacant and contain 5-foot-wide drainage and utility easements along the side property lines. Because the lot combination was approved, the City will not need the portion of those easements that bisect the new parcel, and those easements will prevent development of the lot as the applicant intends.
The City Council voted to approve the lot combination and the first reading of Ordinance 1096 at the July 21, 2026, City Council meeting.
This is the second reading of the ordinance to complete the vacation process.
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 recommended approval to vacate the drainage and utility easements if City Council approves the Minor Subdivision.
City Plans & Policies Relevance:
Analysis was provided with the Minor Subdivision item on the July 21, 2026, City Council agenda.
Alternative Options:
NA
Financial Impacts:
NA
Tentative Timelines:
ü July 8, 2026 - Public Hearing Notice published in the Northfield News
ü July 10, 2026 - Public Hearing Notice mailed to property owners within 350’
ü July 21, 2026 - Public Hearing, Second 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