PC Meeting Date: November 19, 2026
To: Members of the Planning Commission
From: Mikayla Schmidt, AICP, City Planner
Mathias Hughey, AICP, Associate City Planner
Title
Staff Updates.
Body
Action Requested:
Staff provide updates to the Planning Commission.
Summary Report:
City Council & Board/Commission Updates
- The upcoming agenda items list is attached for reference.
Zoning Code Update & Redesign
- The Preliminary Recommendations Report (PRR) was shared at the October meeting. The PRR is available for review on the Zoning Code Update project website. The link is in the attachments.
Planning Applications & Related Updates
- Due to ongoing complaints about on-street parking, especially in the area immediately adjacent to St. Olaf, the proposal to eliminate the prohibition on over-night parking from November 15 - Mach 15 has been postponed.
- Park & Trail Dedication Fees: Staff and the City Attorney continue to work on this item as time allows. The Public Works department is assisting with the review of the cash-in-lieu aspect of this code section as well.
- See the hyperlink in the attachments for the City’s Development Map.
- Cedar Meadows: Site work is underway. Gracewin was approved for its variances, and the site plan review is proceeding.
- The site plan review for a 7-Brew drive-through coffee establishment at 1910 Honeylocust Dr. is nearly complete - staff are waiting for MNDOT review and resolution to access challenges.
- Harvest Hills 2nd Addition site work has begun. Site plan reviews and building permit reviews are in process.
- Northfield High School site work has begun.
- Cardinal Glass has completed its expansion. A flag raising ceremony will be held on November 19 to honor their receipt of the MNSTAR award.
- Ames Mill Dam: The dam is part of our Downtown Historic District which will require a certificate of appropriateness and Section 106 review.
Training Opportunities
- The Maryland Department of Planning has free webinars on a variety of topics. Please see the link in the attachments to view and/or subscribe.
- The National Alliance for Preservation Commissions (NAPC) has webinars related to historic preservation. The city is a member and can share webinar links if there is interest.
- The Ohio Planning chapter has webcast series available for free. The On-Demand Webcasts could be a current and good place to start as there is a webcast on technology, sustainability, equity, law and ethics.
- The University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee School of Architecture and Urban Planning hosts the free Innovative Cities Lecture series. This fall’s topics include Planning with Youth, Community Wayfinding, and Community Land Trusts. A link is provided in the attachments to register.
Alternative Options:
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Financial Impacts:
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Tentative Timeline:
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