3. Peterson_Meadowbrook History of EventsHISTORY OF EVENTS (Meadowbrook Ave N ROW)
04/24/2019 Washington County researches the former Gilbertson private driveway for record
information indicating that the driveway is a municipal right of way. No record
information can be found.
04/24/2019 An older (1982) Washington County parcel map shows the municipal right of way along
the former Gilbertson private driveway extending easterly about 300 feet from
Meadowbrook Ave N. The current GIS mapping shows a similar right of way extending
about 860 feet easterly of Meadowbrook Ave N. Washington County can find no rational
or basis for the inconsistency. It seems to be arbitrary and inconsistent mapping.
04/25/2019 Email sent to Neil Soltis and Brenda Eklund (City of Scandia):
Good Morning Neil and Brenda,
I spoke with John Baer yesterday concerning the validity of Meadowbrook Road N extending easterly
from its northerly extension from Scandia Trail (Highway 97). Both John and Mark Neiman performed
exhaustive research to help validate a documented city extension of this roadway onto what is the old
Gilbertson driveway. They could find no supporting deeds, easements or documents with legal support
for the city roadway extension. The only thing they could find is previous maps which did show a short
extension to the east possibly about 300 feet. The general assumption is that the old maps were likely a
cartoon assuming right of way that had no legal or factual basis. They asked me to contact the City of
Scandia to confirm that there are no supporting documents, in the possession of the City, that define or
support a city roadway extending to the east from the northerly terminus of Meadowbrook south of the
wetland. You had contacted me yesterday and told me you could not find any legal documentation. If
you could pass this information onto John and or Mark with the Washington County Surveyors Office,
they would appreciate knowing this information.
Contact Phone
John Baer 651-430-6883
Mark Neiman 651-430-6884
05/06/2018 Neil Soltis retires as the City of Scandia Administrator
05/29/2019 Scandia Attorney Eric Sherburne replies to my 4/25/2019 inquiry
Mr. Peterson,
In my initial search, I did not find any recorded documents to memorialize what I am referring to as the
“easterly extension” of Meadowbrook Avenue. Part of the discussion with the City will be on question
whether addition research is appropriate.
Please note that memorializing a dedication in a recorded document is only one of several ways a road
may be dedicated. At this point, please do not take the preliminary finding as an ultimate conclusion
regarding the City’s position.
This is scheduled to be a topic of discussion at a work session on June 5 (@ 6:30). It is scheduled for
discussion but not decision. The work session is an open meeting but not a public hearing. That is,
anyone may attend but there is not necessarily any opportunity to speak.
06/05/2019 The Meadowbrook ROW discussion is delayed until a new City Administrator is hired.
10/16/2019 The new Scandia City Administrator, Ken Cammilleri, is presented with my request.
11/21/2019 Ken Cammilleri and I have a phone conversation concerning the former Gilbertson
private driveway. Ken seems to agree that the driveway was/is not maintained or
utilized as a municipal roadway. He will verify with John Herman and his
representatives to see what they have to say about the private driveway.
12/13/2019 Ken Cammilleri states that John Herman’s representative is not in complete agreement
with me that the former Gilbertson driveway is not a municipal right of way. Ken states
that the City in not in favor of vacating the ROW because of access issues. I am
confused with Ken’s unexpected response about vacating ROW. I cannot find any legal
documents or LGU prescriptive use that would create a road ROW. If you don’t
establish road ROW how can you vacate it?
12/16/2019 My written response to Ken Cammilleri:
Hello Ken,
Sorry I missed your phone message on Friday afternoon. You had mentioned that the
City doesn't want to vacate the former Gilbertson private driveway. I'm totally confused
by your message. How can you vacate that which you don't own or have any
jurisdiction over? My original request was for the city to notify Washington County to
have them correct a mapping error which indicates that the old Gilbertson private
driveway is a municipal street. Which it never was. Even the owner of the property to
the north, John Herman, verbally agreed with me that this driveway was never used or
deeded as a municipal street. Where is the controversy in my request? If you still have
questions, please let me know. I am requesting that you notify Washington County so
they can correct their mapping error. This was most likely caused from a staff intern
identifying the private driveway as a municipal street. Thank you for your assistance
with this matter.
12/19/2019 Ken Cammilleri notifies me of the Meadowbrook Ave N discussion at February 5th City
Council meeting at 6:30 PM.
01/29/2020 Ken Cammilleri verifies that I plan to attend the February 5th, 2020 City Council Meeting.
Respectfully Submitted,
Curtis J Peterson
21617 Meadowbrook Ave N
Scandia, MN 55073
Phone/Text: 6513291941
Meadowbrook Ave N Facts
1) There is public testimony and a sworn statement that former Gilbertson private driveway
was never a public road.
2) Washington County has no record evidence that the former Gilbertson private driveway
was ever a public road.
3) I have seen no record evidence from the City of Scandia that the former Gilbertson
private driveway was ever a public road.
4) I have seen no proof from any governmental agency that the former Gilbertson private
driveway or any portion of it was maintained (worked) consecutively for 6 or more years
meeting the requirements of MN Statute 160.05 making it a public road.
5) All the major mapping companies: Hudson, Carson and Rockford have been contacted
and they have no supporting evidence for the former Gilbertson private driveway to be
considered a public road.
6) All mapping agencies including the counties have errors in their maps. They use
disclaimers to protect them from liability if you rely in any manner on the maps to use for
ownership, title and accuracy. The Washington County half section, parcel maps and GIS
parcel database are not reliable use for parcel or road right of way ownership or title.
7) All nearby surveys do not show the former Gilbertson private driveway as a public road.
Request
Since we have no evidence that the former Gilbertson private driveway is a municipal road, I
ask that City of Scandia to notify Washington County that this driveway is not a municipal
roadway so that their maps can be corrected for future use.
Respectfully Submitted,
Curt Peterson
21617 Meadowbrook Ave N
Scandia, MN 55073
Phone/Text: 651-329-1941