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Council approves vacation of portion of Fourth Street SE near Buffalo Ridge Concrete
Summary
Council approved a resolution vacating part of Fourth Street Southeast after the petitioner Buffalo Ridge Concrete cited safety and operational concerns; staff and the petitioner said remaining access to adjacent lots would be preserved via other platted streets.
The City Council voted Monday to vacate a segment of Fourth Street Southeast between Tenth Avenue Southeast and Eleventh Avenue Southeast after public hearing and testimony from the petitioner, Buffalo Ridge Concrete.
City engineer Justin Peterson explained the petition and noted a wetland-delineated area nearby. Chris Jacobson, area manager for Buffalo Ridge Concrete, testified that company operations and frequent heavy-truck movements create safety risks for public traffic if the roadway remains open through the yard. "Part of the reason... is that, with the amount of traffic that you get coming in for aggregates and mixer trucks... trying to get onto 81 off of Tenth... is a safety concern," Jacobson said. Jacobson and company representatives expressed willingness to work with nearby property owners on reasonable access arrangements.
Council members discussed the parcel’s history; one council member said a similar vacation had been denied in the past out of concern the city would forfeit a right-of-way needed for future development. Staff and the petitioner said Eleventh and Twelfth avenues remain platted and provide access to the lots to the west, and the fire marshal had indicated multiple access options. City engineer Peterson noted the vacated block had been functionally unused as a city-maintained street for years.
Council moved to approve the resolution after a motion by Councilman Peters and a second by Councilman Shutti. Interim City Manager Bob Zine conducted a roll-call vote; members present voted aye and the motion carried.
The resolution includes a drainage easement on the west side of the affected property; the record shows the council approved the vacation and instructed staff to complete the required administrative steps.
