Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals  

Meetings

Third Thursday of each month
6 p.m.

Upcoming meeting

07-15-2021 PC Agenda Packet

07-15-2021 PC Supplemental Memo No. 1

07-15-2021 PC Supplemental Memo No. 2

07-15-2021 PC Supplemental Memo No. 3

07-15-2021 PC Supplemental Memo No. 4

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 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

Important document and links

Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals Bylaws (PDF)

Planning Commission Work Plan 04.09.2021

Comprehensive Plan

Land Development Code

City Code

Rules of Business (PDF)

Proposed Preliminary Plat for Kraewood Addition

The plat is under review and subject to changes. 

Kraewood Addition proposed preliminary plat

Kraewood Addition Proposed Preliminary Plat - Full Submittal

Tree Inventory Excel Spreadsheet

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
Joe Gasior Chair December 31, 2021
William Schroeer Member December 31, 2022
Betsey Buckheit Vice Chair December 31, 2023
Tracy Heisler Member December 31, 2021
Bill Kuhlmann Member December 31, 2022
Greg Siems Member December 31, 2021
Brian Nowak Member December 31, 2023
Grant Boardman Youth Representative (non-voting) 2019-2020 school year
Sofia Chihade Youth Representative (non-voting) 2019-2020 school year
George Zuccolotto Council Liaison December 31, 2021

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