Public works committee recommends release of easements for Rockridge Apartments development

The Middleton Public Works Committee on March 1 recommended that the Common Council approve two resolutions releasing easements at the proposed Rockridge Apartments site east of Pleasant View Road.

City staff said the two resolutions would remove a general public utility easement and a separate sanitary sewer/public water/pedestrian easement that the city no longer needs because there are no active water or sewer facilities across the two vacant lots. The easement releases are tied to a proposed land swap that would square up an outlot so the city’s existing bike path would lie on city land.

The staff presentation identified the parcels as Lot 3 and Lot 4 and described a small triangular parcel the city would cede and several triangles the city would acquire so the path alignment and lot configuration match the developer’s proposal. Staff said once the bike path is on city land, the city would no longer need easement rights for that path.

After questions from committee members, a committee member moved to recommend council approval of Resolution 2024-10 (public utility easement release) and Resolution 2024-11 (sanitary sewer, public water and pedestrian easement release). Both motions were seconded and carried by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

The committee packet shows the resolutions were drafted with city-attorney review; staff said the easements had been reviewed and that the land-swap and subdivision will be worked out before construction proceeds. The matters will next go to the Common Council for final action.

The committee did not discuss any financial liability to the city tied to these particular easement releases; staff said there are no active city water or sewer facilities on the lots at present.

The committee approved the recommendations by voice vote; staff will forward the resolutions and supporting drawings to the council for consideration.