PC Meeting Date: June 16, 2025
To: Members of the Planning Commission
From: Mikayla Schmidt, City Planner
Title
Consideration of the Annexation Application for PID 160270009012 by Matthew & Shelly Langer.
Body
Action Requested:
The Planning Commission is asked to review and provide a recommendation to the City Council on the annexation application for PID 160270009012 by Matthew & Shelly Langer.
Summary Report:
Matthew & Shelly Langer have applied to annex their property, located at PID 160270009012, into Northfield city limits. The property is directly adjacent to the city and the Northwest Area Industrial Park and is 12.66 acres.
Annexation requires a Type 4 Review Procedure as stated in Article 8 of the Land Development Code. The City of Northfield and Greenvale Township do not have an orderly annexation agreement, so the annexation follows the Minnesota State Statute annexation process. The process below was followed:
1) Applicant applies for annexation with the City of Northfield;
2) City notifies Greenvale Township;
3) Greenvale Township approves a joint resolution with agreed upon payment of taxes from the city to the township;
4) City follows the Type 4 review process of public hearing with the Planning Commission, recommendation from the Planning Commission and final decision by the Northfield City Council with signing off on the joint resolution;
5) File the annexation with the State of Minnesota to finalize the process.
Per the City’s annexation policy, the preference for development is infill, redevelopment and intensification of property already within the corporate limits of the City. However, the “greenfield,” edge development through annexation is appropriate in certain circumstances. Adding this parcel to the adjacent Northwest Area Industrial Park expands an area planned for future industrial growth and “squares off” the parcel making it easier to develop.
Staff support the annexation of PID 160270009012 into Northfield city limits.
Alternative Options:
The Planning Commission could recommend denial of the annexation or denial of a portion of the property for annexation. Any alternative recommendation will require findings to support the recommendation. Final recommendation on this application could be postponed to the next Planning Commission meeting to draft a different resolution.
Financial Impacts:
The City of Northfield will pay a lump sum of $644.43 to Greenvale Township, which is three years’ worth of taxes.
Tentative Timelines:
May 8, 2025: Greenvale Township approves supporting the joint resolution
May 15, 2025: Greenvale Township approves the joint resolution
June 4, 2025: Public hearing notice published in the Northfield News
June 5, 2025: Public hearing notice mailed to property owners within 1500 ft.
June 16, 2025: Public hearing and recommendation by Planning Commission
July 1, 2025: Review by City Council