Resolution vacating a portion of Ruth Street and Resolution approving the Final Plat of Good Counsel Meadows (Ruth Street between Outlots B and C, School Sisters of Notre Dame Subdivision); by request of Widseth.

At the September 24, 2025, meeting, the Planning Commission recommended adoption of the resolution approving the final plat.

At its July 14, 2025, meeting, the Mankato City Council approved the preliminary plat of the Good Counsel Subdivision, which encompasses a portion of Outlot C of the School Sisters of Notre Dame Subdivision. The approval was granted subject to several conditions intended to ensure conformance with city standards and policies.

The conditions of approval included the submission of a hydraulic report in compliance with the grading manual, which the applicant has now provided for review with the final plat. A subdivision agreement was also required for any public improvements associated with the development, and the applicant has submitted cost estimates and civil design plans to facilitate preparation of this agreement. Because no public stormwater will utilize the proposed ponds, they will be privately owned and maintained. Residential lighting within the subdivision must meet city standards, and this requirement will be reviewed at the time of building permit application. The Council also required the dedication of necessary easements and rights-of-way, which have been provided on the final plat.

Further, the Department of Public Works determined that the subdivision’s access road would function as a private alley rather than a public facility. The applicant is addressing the condition that a final plat be obtained prior to construction through the current submittal. Finally, water and sewer connection fees of $2,527.07 per unit will be assessed at the time of permitting.
Current Proposal

The applicant is requesting approval of the final plat for Good Counsel Meadows. The subdivision consists of two blocks and four outlots. Block 1 contains eight lots, each approximately 0.15 acres (6,535 square feet) in size, while Block 2 contains three lots: Lots 1 and 2 at 0.37 acres each, and Lot 3 at 0.84 acres. Standard easements are identified throughout the plat. The proposed land use for all lots is single-family residential development.

The final plat reflects modifications to the outlots. Outlot A will be dedicated to the City of Mankato, as utilities are located within this portion of the subdivision. The applicant intends to request access across Outlot A for a private road that will connect to Outlot B. An easement agreement will be executed to address access rights, as well as provisions for maintenance, repair, reconstruction, snow removal, and liability. Outlot B will function as the private drive serving the subdivision and will be privately owned and maintained by the applicant or successors in title.

Stormwater management for the development will be provided through a retention pond identified as Outlot C. The drainage study prepared for the project determined the pond was necessary to serve private stormwater needs. Outlot C will therefore function as a stormwater facility and open space. Outlot D is proposed to remain undeveloped.

Access

Access to Block 1 will be provided by a private drive connecting to North 4th Street at the intersections of East Ruth Street and East Mabel Street. The applicant will be responsible for providing refuse collection facilities and for submitting a snow removal plan covering both the private drive and the sidewalks serving the development. Adequate emergency vehicle access and turnaround areas will also be required to be provided within the private drive providing access to the rear of the properties.
Block 2 will obtain access through individual driveways connecting directly to North 4th Street.

Utilities

Public utilities will be extended to serve the subdivision. Water and sanitary sewer connections will be made to existing mains located within the North 4th Street right-of-way. The lots in Block 1 will connect directly to these mains, while a secondary main will be extended to serve Block 2.

Stormwater generated within the subdivision will be directed to the retention pond in Outlot C, located east of Block 1. The pond will ultimately discharge into the stormwater system within North 4th Street.