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755 N.W.2d 1, 't°5; 2008 Minn. LEXIS 417, "11 Page 6 of 6 "public highways and public grounds." Duluth. Minn., Legis. Code, § 45-84.1iN9 Minnesota law is clear that tile public has a property interest in platted streets that are undeveloped. 1 'r n.. 'rat ' 505 01 s . r 1 1; w w r' 2 ►6 'un. 3h3.f 4 j23 N,W.2d at 610; ,see also St. Paul & 17ultah R.R. Car. City of 12tdut1t, 73 Mini . 2 0 t' V 3"+ .;'' 1898 (stating that HN10 persons in possession of unopened platted streets "will, until the time arrives when such streets are required for actual public use, be presumed to hold subject to the permanent right of the public"). Based on this [4'921 property interest, we conclude that platted but undeveloped streets constitute "public highways" or "public grounds" under the Duluth City Charter, Accordingly, we hold that the City oI' Duluth had the authority to issue a permit providing for the construction of private improvements on 40th Street. II. Having determined that the City of Duluth had the authority to issue a permit providing for the construction of private improvements on 40th Street, we next address whether Glass has the right to use 40th Street. HN11 it is a well-established rule of law in Minnesota "that one purchasing a lot within a plat may rely upon the dedication of streets and alleys shown therein, and possesses the right to use the same." k't: la'r. 260 Minn. at 364, 123 N.W 2il al 611; rtrrrrrrl 230 Minn 1, 8, 40 N.VV.24 427 432 (19511J Indeed, "[cluch purchaser of a lot is entitled to the benefit of the plat as it appears when he purchases it. If there are public streets, they inure to his benefit." " 1►>r r r nt 6 u 'r 1 O ( ; 61 N.W. 8'20, 1122 (18951. Because 40th Street appears on the Oatka Beach Addition plat, any purchaser of a lot within the plat is entitled to use the streets designated [''fiJ ("°°131 on the plat. We hold, therefore, that Glass has the right to use 40th Street as an owner of a lot within the Oatka Beach Addition plat. a Because the City of Duluth had the authority to issue a permit providing for the construction of private improvements on 40th Street and Glass is entitled to use 40th Street as an owner of a lot within the Oatka Bench Addition plat. we reverse the decision of the court of appeals. Reversed. MAGNUSON, C.J., not having been a member of this court at the time of the argument and submission, took no part in the consideration or decision of this case. N71 APPENDIX [SEE EXHIBIT 1 IN ORIGINALI ' The panics raise a variety of other issues in this appeal, including whether 40th Street has been opened by public use, whether Glass is entitled to access his property via 40th Street because he is an adjoining landowner, and whether the general public is entitled to use 40111 Street. We need not reach these issues in Tight of our resolution of the case on the grounds set forth above. MARTIN NORDER