City Council Meeting Date: July 1, 2025
To: Mayor & City Council
City Adminstrator
From: Mikayla Schmidt, City Planner
Title
Consideration of the Annexation Application for 32260 Garrett Ave. (PID 160270005021) by Thomas Sorem.
Body
Action Requested:
The City Council is asked to review and provide a final decision on the annexation application for 32260 Garrett Ave. (PID 160270005021) by Thomas Sorem.
Summary Report:
Thomas Sorem has applied to annex his property, located at 32260 Garrett Ave., into Northfield city limits. The property is directly adjacent to the city and the Northwest Area Industrial Park and is 1.95 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.
The Planning Commission (PC) recommended approval in a 4 - 1 vote. A hyperlink to the planning commission meeting is attached where the PC’s discussion and public comment can be watched.
Staff supports the annexation of 32260 Garrett Ave. into Northfield city limits.
Alternative Options:
The City Council 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.
Financial Impacts:
The City of Northfield will pay a lump sum of $2,280.96 to Greenvale Township, which is three years’ worth of taxes. State statutes provide for up to 8 years of taxes unless otherwise agreed upon. The three years was negotiated by the City Administrator and agreed upon by the township.
Tentative Timelines:
ü May 8, 2025: Greenvale Township approves supporting the joint resolution
ü May 15, 2025: Greenvale Township approves the joint resolution
ü June 4, 2025: Public hearing notice published in the Northfield News
ü June 5, 2025: Public hearing notice mailed to property owners within 1500 ft.
ü June 16, 2025: Public hearing and recommendation by Planning Commission
July 1, 2025: Consideration by City Council