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
Consider First Reading of Ordinance 1094 Vacating a Drainage and Utility Easement within 2420 Bridgewater Ln.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves a motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance 1094 vacating a drainage and utility easement within 2420 Bridgewater Ln.
Requires a supermajority (5/7) vote.
Summary Report:
Please see related Public Hearing agenda item background for more details on this proposed ordinance action. An abbreviated summary is included in this presentation. No additional staff background will be provided at this action item as that will be covered in the public hearing. Additionally, public input will be received at the public hearing and there will not be a separate opportunity for public input for this action item that directly relates to the public hearing.
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.
Alternative Options:
N/A
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