The City of Shakopee voted April 15 to annex 11 parcels in Jackson Township (roughly 61 acres), to amend the Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA) for those properties, and to zone the annexed land as agricultural‑preserve.

Staff said the annexation covers several parcels north of County State Highway 78 and east of US‑169, and that the action implements parts of the city’s orderly‑annexation plan (areas A and B). Staff described a sanitary‑sewer alignment that will cross a bluff in a way intended to avoid disturbing an existing force main and said the city will pursue appraisals and acquisitions for bluffland/open‑space parcels where appropriate.

The council approved three items: Resolution R2025‑035 (annexation of Jackson Township property), Resolution R2025‑034 (comprehensive‑plan amendment extending MUSA as shown in figure 4.6) and Ordinance O2025‑008 (rezoning the annexed parcels to agricultural‑preserve). The three measures passed in separate motions with seconding council members and unanimous voice votes.

Staff noted property‑tax treatment: state law and city practice require the city to pay township taxes for seven years on annexed parcels in some cases; staff said the two Scott County parcels along US‑169 were currently tax‑exempt and that the city would not pay those particular township taxes. Staff said the city has begun an appraisal for a bluffland parcel that may become city‑owned open space.

Two affected property owners spoke during the meeting. Paul Melcher, speaking on behalf of his parents (Tom and Sue Melcher), said the family’s priority is preserving the ecological character of their bluff and that staff had addressed major concerns about proposed sewer routing. Frank Weber, another nearby owner, asked about the condition and future use of a gravel road that will be trenched for stormwater or sewer work; staff said the road is currently gravel, will be trenched for required pipe installation and will be paved temporarily to accommodate maintenance and future access.

Councilors moved and passed each of the three approval items: Contreras moved the annexation resolution (second by Lara), Contreras later seconded the comprehensive‑plan amendment motion (moved by Delaney), and Whiting moved the ordinance adopting agricultural‑preserve zoning (seconded by Lara). All votes were by voice and passed with no recorded opposition.

Staff said they will coordinate appraisal, property negotiations and the sewer construction plan with affected landowners and report back to council on the acquisition and utility‑extension schedule.