Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals  

Planning Commission 2020

Meetings

Third Thursday of each month
6 p.m.

City Hall
Council Chambers
801 Washington St.
Northfield, MN 55057

Important documents

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, 2020 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
Aaron Swoboda Member December 31, 2020 412-266-2413
Grant Boardman Youth Representative (non-voting) 2019-2020 school year Not available
Sofia Chihade Youth Representative (non-voting) 2019-2020 school year Not available
Suzie Nakasian Council Liaison   507-301-6756

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.

2019 accomplishments

  • The 5th Street Lofts went through the planning review process to create a 79-unit apartment complex, construction set to begin spring 2020
  • Premier Bank will be relocating as part of the redevelopment of the 5th Street Lofts to the northwest corner of Highway 3 and 2nd Street West, which continues the infill of The Crossings
  • Hyacinth Solar is in process for a Conditional Use Permit to build a 1MW solar garden west of the Northfield Hospital
  • Chub Garden 1MW solar garden was completed off of Garrett Avenue
  • Benedictine Living Community completed their build out and have 70 assisted living/independent living units and 24 assisted living/memory care units
  • A new self-storage facility is in motion located off Cannon Road
  • Added language to the accessory dwelling unit ordinance to create flexibility in locating these types of dwelling units and offer more options in the local housing market

Other notable site plans and projects

  • Arcadia Charter expansion
  • Bridgewater Elementary expansion
  • Maple Brook Townhomes
  • Mayo Radiation Oncology expansion
  • Northfield Hospital Clinic and Birth Center
  • New Greenvale Park school
  • Updated language to the historic downtown sign ordinance


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