Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals  

Meetings

Third Thursday of each month
6 p.m.

Upcoming meeting

April 15, 2021 PC Agenda Packet

Supplemental Memo for 04-15-2021 - No. 1

Supplemental Memo for 04-15-2021 - No. 2

Public monitoring

Members of the public may monitor the meeting by watching the live stream or electronically from a remote location.

Live stream

Watch the live stream

GoTo Meeting

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/945160525

You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (571) 317-3122

Access Code: 945-160-525

eComment

The City of Northfield has an electronic comment (eComment) feature for PC/ZBA meetings. eComment provides an easy way for residents to add their voices to the process and makes participation in public meetings convenient when it may be difficult to the attend the meeting in person. 

Once the agenda is published, the eComment link will be active. Residents can review agenda items details, indicate their position on an item and leave feedback by clicking on the eComment tab on the PC/ZBA meeting page:

City of Northfield - PC/ZBA

Comments may be submitted until 4:00pm on the day of the meeting.

Agendas and minutes

City Meeting Archives Opens in new window
The City meeting archives contain agendas, minutes, handouts and additional information.

  1. City Meeting Portal Opens in new window
    The City meeting portal allows you to view live streamed meetings and agendas with clickable links.

Members

Name Title Term expiration Phone number
Joe Gasior Chair December 31, 2021 507-645-1667
William Schroeer Member December 31, 2022 651-295-0860
Betsey Buckheit Vice Chair December 31, 2023 507-581-3991
Tracy Heisler Member December 31, 2021 612-787-7047
Vacant Member December 31, 2022  
Greg Siems Member December 31, 2021 319-541-2246
Brian Nowak Member December 31, 2023 612-799-3326
Grant Boardman Youth Representative (non-voting) 2019-2020 school year Not available
Sofia Chihade Youth Representative (non-voting) 2019-2020 school year Not available
George Zuccolotto Council Liaison   507-301-8542

Staff liaisons

Name Title Phone number
Mitzi Baker Community Development Director 507-645-3005
Mikayla Schmidt City Planner 507-645-3059
Kari Bonde Administrative Associate 507-645-3036

Overview

Special meetings are occasionally called, four members constitute a quorum. All Planning Commission meetings are open to the public and are broadcast live on the city website.

The functions of the Planning Commission are separate from and exclusive of the functions of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The Planning Commission prepares and maintains the city's Comprehensive Plan and advises the City Council on matters regarding implementation of the plan. The commission also conducts public hearings and makes recommendations to the City Council on proposed changes affecting zoning and land uses within the city, considers site plan reviews, conditional use permits, and variances in conformance to the Land Development Code. The Planning Commission forwards information gathered from these public hearings, along with their own recommendations, to the City Council for final action.

The official Land Development Code is located in the Official City Code, Chapter 34, and will be the code that rules.

Membership requirements

The Planning Commission / Zoning Board of Appeals is comprised of seven regular members who are appointed by the mayor and approved by the City Council. Each member serves a three-year term. There is a three term limit. Members do not receive monetary compensation.

Applying

  1. Apply for a board, commission, or task force

    Applications are also available at:

    City Hall
    801 Washington Street
    Northfield, MN 55057

    Northfield Public Library
    210 Washington Street
    Northfield, MN 55057

  1. 2020 accomplishments
  2. 2019 accomplishments

Accomplishments

  • In the beginning of the year, the Planning Commission worked very hard on expanding their work plan to coincide with the City Council Strategic Plan. A letter was sent to the Council with three main areas.
  • Assisted with beginning steps for several projects, variances, conditional use permits and plats. A few of those included:
    • Hills of Spring Creek 9th Addition
    • Spring Creek Townhomes 2nd Addition
    • St. Olaf College – Ole Housing Project (Rezoning and Conditional Use Permit)
    • Approved variances for a front porch, garage, and a sign in the Downtown Historic District. Three variance requests were also denied.
    • Conditional Use Permit for Hyacinth Solar
    • Community Action Center – Hillcrest Village (Rezoning)
  • Provided feedback for plans and projects including Rice County 2020 Comprehensive Plan, the proposed Paulson Property redevelopment project, and the Community Action Center’s Hillcrest Village housing project