The Minnetonka Planning Commission on Oct. 30 voted 6–0 to recommend that the City Council approve a preliminary two‑lot subdivision, called De Jong Estates, for the 1.5‑acre property at 18420 Old Excelsior Boulevard, located across Highway 7 from Minnetonka High School.

Planning staff presented the application and recommended approval, saying the proposal meets minimum lot‑size and dimensional standards, complies with the city’s steep‑slope ordinance and meets tree‑protection requirements. Staff showed maps indicating buildable areas on the east side of the parcel, steep slopes (areas ≥20 percent grade) across the site and a low point identified in a 2022 wetland delineation that multi‑agency reviewers determined did not meet state wetland standards.

The applicant proposes one new buildable lot of roughly one acre and a smaller new lot of about a half acre; the existing house on the west side would remain. Staff noted the proposal includes stormwater mitigation on the new lot, a private utility line that crosses the proposed lot (for which a private easement is proposed), and grading for a driveway that will require up to several feet of fill in a limited area. Under the city’s tree protection calculation, staff said there are 82 high‑priority trees and the applicant proposes to remove 26 (31.7 percent, under the 35 percent allowance) and 10 of 58 significant trees (17.2 percent, under the 50 percent allowance).

Commissioners pressed staff on how the steep‑slope rules work, whether a 2022 wetland review could have been affected by drought, and the amount and location of fill. Staff explained that areas under 20 percent grade generally permit grading within setbacks and buildable areas, 20–30 percent grades are reviewed and generally discouraged unless no other option exists, and slopes above 30 percent are permitted only in rare circumstances; staff also said wetland delineations incorporate precipitation data from the three months before a field evaluation.

Applicant Michael Brandt and property owner Bruce Young answered questions. Brandt said drainage is tied into a culvert under Sparrow Road and a nearby pond; Young said prior road reconstruction changed drainage patterns and that he intends to remain in the existing home.

After public comment and discussion about trees, drainage and neighborhood character, Commissioner Waterman moved and Commissioner Minyon seconded a motion to recommend that the council approve the preliminary plat. The commission vote—Henry, Minyon, Waterman, Banks, Brink and Chair Maxwell—was unanimous. Staff told the commission the item was scheduled for City Council consideration in mid‑November (staff earlier referenced Nov. 10; the commission recorded the council consideration on an 11/11/2025 meeting notice).

Next steps: the Planning Commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the City Council for final action at the council meeting listed by staff. If the council approves, applicants will proceed to final engineering and permitting as required by city code.