Blue Earth City Officials are making it easier for property owners to combine adjacent lots, while taking more time to evaluate drainage issues along South Nicollet Street.
The City Council approved an ordinance amendment allowing the city administrator to handle simple lot combinations without requiring Planning Commission and subsequent council approval. The change follows a request from a property owner whose house and garage sit on separate, neighboring lots. The streamlined process is expected to reduce paperwork, fees and delays.
Meanwhile, officials are giving themselves until next spring to determine whether additional subsurface drainage work is needed along South Nicollet Street. After street reconstruction, some residents reported excessive water and sump pumps running continuously. The city later discovered and repaired a water line leak that may have caused the problem.
Plans for additional underground drainage tile remain in this year’s street improvement project, but officials will monitor conditions after the snow melts before deciding whether to proceed. The extra time will also allow the city to work on securing necessary property easements.
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