Spring Grove approves sale of Sherburne Addition lots with gravel-street contingency

Spring Grove City Council on June 17 approved the sale of six lots in the Sherburne Addition with conditions that a General Development Plan and a 10-foot utility easement be approved by the city engineer.

Clerk/Administrator Jana Elton told the council that, "based on advice from the city attorney, Greg Scheiber, the city has, by default, created a street due to its ongoing maintenance of the area, including snow plowing, graveling, and grading," but she clarified the city is not required to pave the road. Elton said owner Nate Sherburne plans to inform prospective buyers that the street will remain gravel and has reduced lot prices to offset buyers' future costs for connecting to city utilities.

Elton also said City Engineer Tim Hruska requested a General Development Plan to assure proper sewer and water access to the rear lots and a utility easement. "Sherburne agreed to provide a 10' easement," Elton reported. Mayor Bryan Wilhelmson warned of drainage concerns on Lot 6 and advised that a drainage ditch will likely be needed when building there.

Council Member Michael Hagen moved to allow Sherburne to proceed with sales under the discussed contingencies, and Council Member Eric Ostern seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

The approval is procedural and limited: the council's action allows sales to proceed with the explicit understanding that the street will remain gravel for the foreseeable future and that future property owners may request completion later. The council did not set a timeline for paving and emphasized that future changes would require additional approvals.

Next steps include submission and review of the General Development Plan and formal acceptance of the 10-foot easement by the city engineer before lot closings proceed.