Planning commission forwards easement-vacation ordinance for 20th Street NW to city council

The Faribault Planning Commission voted on July 7 to forward Ordinance 2025-8 to the Faribault City Council, recommending vacation of an additional drainage and utility easement affecting property on 20th Street Northwest.

Harry, a city planning staff member, told commissioners the request — submitted by Steve Underdall on behalf of Mala Auto Body — arose from title research that uncovered historic easement lines. "The properties are outlined in yellow," Harry said, describing maps staff provided, and added that the vacation parcel contains no utilities that would be impacted. He recommended the commission forward the ordinance to council for approval.

Commissioners asked whether staff could pursue a citywide cleanup of legacy easements noticed in old plats. Staff cautioned that a comprehensive effort would require significant time and resources and that the city council had not directed such work; instead, staff said they have addressed issues on a case-by-case basis. One commissioner noted that researching and resolving all legacy easements could cost "hundreds of thousands" of dollars.

The chair opened the public hearing and recorded that no members of the public were present to offer testimony. A motion to forward the ordinance as presented was made and seconded; the commission carried the motion by voice vote and will send the ordinance to the city council.

The ordinance and staff materials identify additional historic easements found during title work that will be addressed separately with specific utility companies where needed. The commission did not approve any citywide easement-cleanup directive at the meeting.