Council holds action on 23rd Avenue sewer and water after residents and landowners raise cost and timing concerns

Waite Park — The Waite Park City Council opened and heard comment on a public hearing for proposed reconstruction and sanitary sewer/water installation along 23rd Avenue South on Feb. 17, then declined to act that night and directed staff to work with property owners.

The notice read by staff described the proposed improvement (improvement number 2026-2) between County Road 137 and 12th Street South and cited Minnesota Statutes 429.011–429.111. Staff said the estimated project cost is $1,271,450 and that assessments would be limited to parcels adjacent to the work.

A letter from property owner Helen Driscoll requested a temporary pause in approvals and construction until concerns about the effect on adjacent planned housing development could be resolved. “I respectfully request the city to temporarily pause further approvals of or construction activity until these concerns can be discussed and resolved,” Driscoll wrote in the letter read aloud by staff.

During the hearing, multiple adjacent property owners and business representatives told the council that while the roadway is rough and needs repair, sewer and water assessments would impose large costs on small businesses and nonprofits with little operational benefit. Kelly O’Hara, who has owned property on 12th Street South for 28 years, said her septic works and she sees no present need for sewer and water. “I don’t see any need for the sewer and water,” O’Hara said. “I spoke with some of the neighbors and my consensus is most of them don’t want it.”

Bernie Schultz, co-owner of Felling Products, told the council his driveway runs parallel to the roadway in question and said he would receive no business benefit while facing an assessment he estimated could exceed $90,000. Colleen Or., executive director of Tririccap, said her nonprofit’s recent investments and limited reserves make a major assessment harmful to operations, and that her organization does not expect to gain operational benefits from sewer or water.

Staff recommended holding action on 23rd Avenue after meeting with property owners and said an appraisal of parcels will be completed; the appraisal could reduce assessed amounts. The council agreed to take no action that night and noted it has up to six months to act following the public hearing.

Next steps include city staff completion of appraisals and continued discussions with affected property owners; the council will revisit the item within the statutory window if needed.