PC Meeting Date: January 15, 2026
To: Members of the Planning Commission
From: Mathias Hughey, Associate City Planner
Title
Public Hearing for Consideration of a Zoning Map Amendment for 304 2nd St. W.
Body
Action Requested:
The Planning Commission is asked to conduct a public hearing to gather input on the requested zoning map amendment for 304 2nd St. W.
Summary Report:
Ana Ortiz Pano has applied for a zoning map amendment for the property at 304 2nd St. W. (PID 2236451010). The requested amendment would change the zoning of the property from R1-B: Low Density Residential to C1-B: Downtown and enable the applicant to develop a small mixed-use building, including a grocery store on the site.
Public hearing notices were mailed to property owners within 350’ on December 31, 2025. The public hearing notice was published in the Northfield News on December 31, 2025. A copy of the public hearing mailing and location map are attached.
The following is the procedure of the public hearing per the City Council’s adopted Rules of Business:
Public Hearing Procedure:
A public hearing is used by the Planning Commission to solicit the public's comments on various projects or City operation procedures.
A. The Chair will open the hearing by identifying the subject.
B. Staff Presentation - staff will give a presentation on the subject.
C. Applicant's Presentation - if needed.
D. Public Input - The public will have the opportunity to speak for or against the issue. The public may ask questions, make comments, voice support, agree or disagree with the issue.
1. The Chair will recognize a speaker at the podium and comments/conversation will be between the Chair and speaker; and between the Chair and Board/Commission Members.
2. At the podium the speaker must give their name and if representing a business, must give the name of the business or corporation. If an Attorney or consultant is representing a client, the client must be identified for the record.
3. Speakers will be allowed to speak a maximum of two (2) minutes per
item (not including interpreter’s time, if applicable).
4. Speakers who have material to be handed out to the Board/Commission Members will pass the material to the Staff Liaison. The Staff Liaison will then pass the information to the appropriate people. A minimum of twelve (12) copies are needed.
5. Persons cannot gift their two (2) minute speaking time to other members of the public.
6. Persons cannot observe silence for the entire two (2) minutes or any part of their two (2) minute speaking time.
E. Questions or Clarifications from Planning Commission - After the public input of the public hearing is completed, the Planning Commission may request questions or clarifications prior to closing the public hearing. This section will be used when there are questions related to the topic on which the public hearing is being held. Questions should be succinct and avoid being rhetorical or leading in nature. Subsequent actions of the Planning Commission provide for opportunities for further questions or clarifications from the Planning Commission.
F. Any material to be entered into the record shall be noted. Any written communication presented to the Planning Commission during a meeting shall be simply delivered to the Planning Commission and not publicly read at the meeting. They shall then be recorded in the minutes by title and filed with the minutes in the office of the Planning Commission liaison.
G. Motion to Close Hearing - The Chair will state if there is an extension of time for public input into the hearing. If not, the Planning Commission will make a motion, second, and vote on closing the public hearing. Following the public hearing, the Planning Commission members shall deliberate and vote on the matter.
Associate City Planner Mathias Hughey will give a presentation on the application. The relevant background materials and information for this item are included in the agenda item immediately following the public hearing to consider action on the application. There will not be a separate staff presentation for that agenda item and there will not be separate testimony by the public at that time.
Alternative Options:
NA
Financial Impacts:
NA
Tentative Timelines:
December 22, 2025: Public hearing (PH) notice mailed out to property owners within 350'
December 31, 2025: PH notice in Northfield News
January 15, 2025: PH & recommendation by Planning Commission to City Council
February 3, 2026: 1st Reading at City Council
February 17, 2026: 2nd Reading and Summary Publication at City Council
February 25, 2026: Summary Publication in Northfield News
March 27, 2026: Rezoning takes effect