The Andover City Council on March 3 unanimously approved the vacation of drainage and utility easements and the final plat for the next phase of the Fields of Winslow Cove development.
The approvals affect Outlots E and F in the development’s first addition.
Community Development Director Joe Janish said the outlots were originally established with blanket drainage and utility easements to allow utilities and drainage across the property during earlier phases of development.
For projects built in multiple phases, the city commonly uses blanket easements that are later vacated when land is replatted for development, Janish said.
One resident, Betsy Hayes, submitted an email to the council opposing the move, saying the outlots have provided wildlife habitat visible from her property for the past two years.
Hayes wrote that wetlands in the surrounding area support migratory pathways and provide important ecological benefits including carbon storage, water filtration and wildlife habitat.
Hayes argued the development could harm the public interest and violate environmental protections.
“The area has too quickly become overdeveloped, and balance needs to be restored,” Hayes said.
Hayes urged the council to conduct additional environmental study before allowing development to proceed.
Janish said staff responded by providing information on the Environmental Assessment Worksheet previously completed for the project, as well as details on the project’s phased development.
Council Member Scott Schue asked Janish to summarize the Environmental Assessment Worksheet. Janish said the review evaluates potential environmental impacts, including habitat and wildlife, and identifies mitigation measures that may be needed.
That information was incorporated into the project’s site design, Janish said.
Schue asked whether the review identified any environmental violations. Janish said he was not aware of any.
Schue then asked whether the worksheet indicated the development would eradicate wildlife or significantly harm the environment. Janish said it did not, though certain species were identified for monitoring.
Janish also confirmed that wildlife could relocate to other areas or adapt as development occurs.
Mayor Jamie Barthel said the broader development had been reviewed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and was approved to proceed in multiple additions.
“All of this whole land area had been approved by the DNR, gone through everything…and so now we’re just changing each section as we go,” Barthel said.
Council Member Rick Engelhardt asked whether agencies such as the DNR review the project again as easements are vacated. Janish said that was not required for this phase.
Janish added that the overall project includes significant stormwater ponding and that additional ponds will be constructed in the fifth addition.
“The site was altered from what it originally was when the EAW was conducted,” Janish said, “so it was kind of at the midpoint of development if you want to think of it that way. So now they’ll come through and put in the finished grading, haul in the material to build the roads and extend utilities through this phase of the development.”
Council Member Jonathan Shafto said easement vacations in developments like this should be considered together with the platting process.
“It’s not like this whole entire space is gonna be crammed with houses,” Shafto said. “As you mentioned, there’s gonna be additional drainage ponds and stuff like that.”
Janish said the final plat approved by the council represents the fifth addition to Fields of Winslow Cove and includes 87 single-family lots.
Barthel noted the overall development has been under review for several years.
“I know this looks like it’s quick, and hey, oh my gosh, you’re just approving this,” Barthel said. “This has been something that I’ve been dealing with for at least four years on the Council going back over every little aspect of front foot, side yard, setbacks.”
The council also unanimously approved the assessment roll for a full-depth reclamation road project in the Meadows of Round Lake neighborhood.
Public Works Director David Berkowitz said the work occurred west of Round Lake Boulevard and north of Bunker Lake Boulevard. The project included reclaiming the bituminous road surface, replacing portions of curb and installing new pavement.
The final project cost was $873,786.25. Of that, $660,172.33 will be paid by the city and $213,613.92 will be assessed to property owners.
The assessment totals $1,825.76 per lot across 118 homes.
Berkowitz said El Dorado Street is no longer designated as a state aid route and is no longer striped.
Based on a sample estimate, the annual payment over eight years would be about $271.96 at a 4.07% interest rate. If certified to property taxes, the 2027 payment would be $327.69.
Mayor Jamie Barthel praised the project.
“I drove through the other day-they look really nice compared to what they were,” Barthel said.