Lawsuit Filed Against Rochester Over Pill Hill Property Dispute

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Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - The city of Rochester is facing another lawsuit over a development issue involving property not far from a site that is at the center of earlier litigation.

A couple living in the Pill Hill neighborhood has filed a lawsuit against the city, the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission, and Michael Macken.

The Rochester man wants to develop a lot in the 900 block of 8th St SW. The parcel is actually part of the property known as the Harry Harwick House. Harwick was a significant leader in the formation of Mayo Clinic.

The house was purchased by Macken and he presented a plan to the city to split a large open space on the Harwick property into a separate lot that could be developed. The plan was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

The lawsuit seeks a reversal of the commission’s decision. It was filed by Sara Hylwa and Chris Deufel, who live next door to the Harwick House. They contend Macken’s plan would “destroy the historic nature of the Pill Hill neighborhood.”

Here is an excerpt of the lawsuit:

Their argument is supported by numerous neighbors who submitted a petition to the city.

One of those who signed the petition is City Council Ward 2 representative Mark Bransford, who lives in the neighborhood.

The city was recently sued by several neighbors who live in the nearby Folwell School neighborhood after a housing project was approved for a site a few blocks from St Marys Hospital.

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