Commission rejects Dakota Commons concept plan after residents raise drainage, traffic and open‑space concerns

The City of Watertown Commission declined to approve a revised concept plan for the Dakota Commons subdivision, citing repeated public concerns about drainage, traffic and the loss of neighborhood open space. The motion to approve the concept plan, moved and seconded by commissioners, failed on a roll call vote.

Brandy, city planning staff, presented the concept‑plan update and said the proposal revises the previously approved Dakota Commons master plan (originally approved Feb. 2006) and a 2021 concept update. The revised plan would replace several cul‑de‑sacs with a more traditional street grid, add walking‑trail connections and expand open space for drainage. The staff presentation said the developer submitted a hydraulic analysis at staff request and that engineering review found the analysis met ordinance requirements.

Brandy told commissioners the proposal includes a mix of residential and commercial designations: the…