Planning Commission Meeting Date: February 20, 2025
To: Members of the Planning Commission
From: Jake Reilly, Community Development Director
Mikayla Schmidt, City Planner
Title
Comprehensive Plan Draft Review and Discussion.
Body
Action Requested:
Review and discuss the draft of the 2045-horizon Comprehensive Plan. Recommend draft (pending any additional changes) to Council if appropriate.
Summary Report:
This draft of the Northfield 2045 Comprehensive Plan has been revised to incorporate suggestions from the Planning Commission following the January regular meeting of the Commission.
This version further clarifies language and adds more placeholders for images, graphics, and maps.
Some of the work completed for this draft includes:
• Ensuring the “outcomes” statements are statements that clearly identify the end result of following the guidance in the plan.
• Having a rational number of outcome statements that are measurable and achievable.
• Ensuring that the actions are appropriate for a municipality of this size and its partners.
• Ensuring that actions support the outcomes and are measurable and achievable.
• Completing an implementation matrix that lists all the stated actions.
• Clarifying and defining industry terms to include in a glossary.
• A draft of the printable document and a draft of a web-based version.
Background
As noted previously, this Comprehensive Plan document is different from previous iterations in that it is outcomes focused. This is intentional and designed to leave flexibility in implementation activities to most effectively meet the changing needs of the community, respond as quickly as possible to changing market conditions, technology, funding opportunities, and strategic direction as set by the Council and other advisory boards and commissions, including the Planning Commission.
The 2045-horizon Comprehensive Plan was initiated in October 2023 after a request for qualifications was issued. The plan is now on-track to be adopted before the close of the first quarter of 2025.
As a reminder, staff are working to ensure clear connections to other critical planning documents such as the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), along with some of the most recent planning efforts such as the Climate Action Plan, the Riverfront Enhancement Action Plan and the bicycle and pedestrian-related planning. Additionally, staff is working to coordinate the shorter-term strategic plan efforts with the creation of this 20-year comprehensive planning document.
Questions to consider:
Some reviewers have suggested bolding important concepts throughout the text. Is there consensus on that approach with the Commission?
Are there terms and phrases you want to be sure to highlight at the beginning of chapters? How about terms and phrases that must be in the glossary?
Active transportation is a term that is often used to describe traveling on foot, in a wheelchair, by bicycle, on skis, or other, non-motorized/vehicular travel. Is there consensus on that term? Is there a better term, or one that commissioners can agree on?
There are places in the document addressing both intensifying areas and ensuring that the pattern and scale of the community is respected. A form-based and performance-based approach to code revisions may more likely than not reconcile that from a practical and legal perspective. How - if at all - would the commissioners like to best express that (often conflicting) approach in the plan?
Does the document read clearly enough that you could explain the purpose and intent of this comprehensive plan to a family member, constituent, future resident, or community partner?
If not, can you share specific areas you find unhelpful or confusing?
Is there enough in the materials provided here to decide on a planning commission recommendation, if/when one is made? If not, what is needed to help decide?
Staff will facilitate a conversation that connects the “Interventions Analysis” with the future land use map to create an “Interventions Map” that can meet Commissioner’s expectations for how the interventions and the future land uses relate within the plan.
Alternative Options:
Set a special meeting date to recommend a version to council.
Financial Impacts:
Staff and volunteer time is primary remaining plan-related financial impacts. Implementing the plan will take resources, including staff time. The strategic plan process is one mechanism for implementing aspects of the plan and aligning future planning with future budgets.
Tentative Timeline:
Comprehensive Plan Update Timeline
ü October 28, 2023 - Public Kick-off meeting for the Comprehensive Plan, Greenvale Park School
ü November 7, 2023 - Steering Committee appointed by City Council
ü November 11, 2023 - Staff requests adjustments to scope and schedule based on an understanding that Planning Commission members are interested in more communication from the consultant team, or staff, about the Plan.
ü December 18, 2023 - Steering Committee meeting No. 1
ü December 20, 2023 - Northfield Youth on Boards/Mayor’s Youth Council and members of Age Friendly Northfield steering committee
ü January - March 2024 - Vision phase - Staff/consultant team meets with other boards/commissions for structured/facilitated conversations about desired outcomes of 2045-horizon comprehensive plan.
§ January 17, 2024 - Environmental Quality Commission
§ January 29, 2024 - Housing and Redevelopment Authority
§ February 5, 2024 - Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
§ February 7, 2024 - Heritage Preservation commission
§ February 14, 2024 - Library Board R
§ February 26, 2024 - Economic Development Authority
§ February 28, 2024 - Human Rights Commission
§ March 14, 2024 - Laura Baker Services Association
ü February 28, 2024 - Steering Committee meeting No. 2
ü February/March, 2024 - Pop-up engagement events: Northfield Hospital, Kwik Trip/Post, Dawn’s Corner Bar, Viking Terrace, NCRC/50th North/Library Oasis
ü January through April 2024 - Analysis Phase
ü April 11, 2024 - Rotary Club of Northfield
ü April 18, 2024 - Planning Commission discussion
ü May 16, 2024 - Planning Commission discussion, DRAFT Climate Analysis
ü May 22, 2024 - Steering Committee No. 3
ü May 29, 2024 - Joint work session Planning Commission and Economic Development Authority
ü April through July 2024 - Plan Phase
ü July 24, 2024 - Steering Committee No. 4
ü July 25, 2024 - Open House at Northfield Public Library, Crazy Days
ü August 29, 2024 - Steering Committee No. 5
ü September 19, 2024 - HRA Update on comprehensive planning
ü October 8, 2024 - City Council work session
ü October 9, 2024 - Implementation work session with City staff
ü October 9, 2024 - Steering Committee No. 6
ü October 29. 2024 - Draft open house event, City Hall
ü October 30, 2024 - Planning Commission work session
ü December 2, 2024 - Public Hearing draft available
ü December 19, 2024 - Public Hearing, Planning Commission
ü January 16, 2025 - Public Hearing (part 2), Planning Commission
ü February 11, 2025 - Council work session and discussion of draft text, future land use map, etc.
• February 20, 2025 - Planning Commission considers draft, interventions map
• February/March 2025 - Planning Commission recommendation to Council
• March/April 2025 - Adoption of final document by Council