City Council Meeting Date: February 4, 2020
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Sean M. Simonson, Engineering Manager
David Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Consider Ordinance Vacating a Drainage Easement on the Locust Development 3rd Addition.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council is asked to approve the second reading of an ordinance vacating 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, 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.
The first reading of the vacation of the easement was on May 21, 2019. As part of the vacation of the easement, the Developer spent some additional time reviewing the vacation and proposed new easement prior to moving forward. Typically, the first and second readings of ordinance vacating easement occurs much closer together. However, nothing prohibits the City with moving forward with this action this evening.
Tentative Timelines:
If City Council approves the Second Reading, the summary of publication would be published Wednesday, February 12, 2020 and the ordinance would be effective on March 12, 2020.