City Council Meeting Date: May 21, 2019
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Sean M. Simonson, Engineering Manager
David Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Public Hearing for Ordinance vacating drainage easements in Locust Development 3rd Addition.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council holds a public hearing on the proposed vacation of Outlot E (drainage easement) on Lot 1, Block 1 of the Locust Development 3rd Addition.
Summary Report:
The owners of the parcel 22.11.4.02.002 have requested vacation of a drainage easement on Outlot E on Lot 1 Block 1.
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.
The existing lot is zoned N2-B: Neighborhood General 2, which is described as larger vacant areas within city limits that are slated to provide a pedestrian friendly environment, a mixture of dwelling types and neighborhood-serving commercial development.
Recently, The Family Residence has broken ground on the construction of their new facility on the southern end of this lot. The remainder of the site is vacant and the current drainage easement is not serving the property or is needed.
This vacation request was brought forward to the Development Review Committee for review by Planning and Public Works/Engineering staff. Public Works agreed the drainage easement was not needed at this time and future stormwater improvements will be addressed as the lot continues to develop to the north. There is an existing “Drainage and Utility Easement” that will not be impacted by this vacation.
Notices of the Public Hearing were mailed to all properties within 350’ of the Easement Vacation, and a Notice of the Hearing was published in the Northfield News.
Tentative Timelines:
Second reading planned for June 4, 2019.