Council approves vacation of stormwater easement after neighbor raises drainage and tree concerns

The Minnetonka City Council on July 13 adopted a resolution vacating a stormwater easement affecting properties at 1934 Oakland Road and 2000 Indian Road West, following a public hearing and staff assurances that stormwater management meets city requirements.

At the hearing, Kelsey Thompson of Lake West Development told the council the easement shift follows a property-line redesign and said the requested vacation would not have a net impact on trees. A nearby resident, Mr. Ringhofer, spoke against the change, saying he had observed repeated drainage issues on Indian Road West during nearby construction, ongoing construction-vehicle parking on Oakland Road and the loss of about a dozen Austrian pines that once stood near the site.

City staff responded that they had reviewed the stormwater plans and conducted field checks and were comfortable the design met applicable requirements. Planner Miss Wischnak said she had not previously heard the specific neighbor complaint and would investigate the matters raised, while noting the site is in compliance and that the council’s condition requires certain steps before any new easement is established.

Council member Romilly moved to adopt the resolution vacating the easement; Council member Calvert seconded. The measure passed on a roll-call vote with all council members voting yes.

The resolution includes conditions the council required before vacating the existing easement and before new easements can be recorded; staff said they will follow up on the neighbor’s drainage and tree concerns and report back as needed. The council’s action will allow the project to proceed under the revised property configuration, subject to the city’s established stormwater and site-compliance checks.

What happens next: Staff said they will investigate the specific neighbor complaints about drainage and tree removal and will monitor site compliance as construction continues.