After city council affirmed city's decision to grant property owner a maximum wetland-exemption of 400 square feet, owner petitioned for writ of mandamus to compel city to approve his wetland-exemption application for 5,737 square feet. The District Court, Hennepin County, LaJune T. Lange, J., granted writ. City appealed.

The Court of Appeals, Halbrooks, J., held that:
(1) as a matter of first impression, district court had subject-matter jurisdiction to consider owner's petition;
(2) city's authority to grant property owner a wetland-exemption was limited to a maximum of 400 square feet; and
(3) mandamus was not appropriate.