PC Meeting Date: April 17, 2025
To: Members of the Planning Commission
From: Mikayla Schmidt, City Planner
Title
Consideration of Text Amendments to the Permitted Use Table in Chapter 34: Land Development Code.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield Planning Commission is asked to recommend approval of the text amendments to the permitted use table in Chapter 34: Land Development Code to the Northfield City Council.
Summary Report:
The Planning Commission has reviewed the permitted use table to update uses surrounding permitted industrial uses, cannabis, eliminating the Economic Development Floating district and rentals.
The proposed amendments to Table 2.7-1 address some dated uses. Staff would like this to be the last update to the permitted use table until we begin the redesign of the land development code. The proposed changes to this text amendment include:
- updating the Agricultural Use category to:
o permit Crop Raising and Wholesale or Commercial Plant Nurseries in the Industrial zoning district to complement/expand Cannabis/hemp Cultivation, Outdoor
- updating the Group Living Use category to:
o permit Residential-Care, Licensed In-Home for six or Fewer Persons in the C2 zoning district, which are permitted in all other residential and commercial base zoning districts, except C2. Six or Fewer Persons and Six or more are allowed in the C1, so it is logical to include this use in C2 as well.
o permit Residential-Care, Licensed In-Home for More than six Persons in the C2 zoning district, which are permitted in all other residential and commercial base zoning districts, except R1 and C2. Same rationale as above.
o permit Specialized Care Facilities conditionally in R1 (currently not permitted - an example of this would be Laura Baker), and permit them outright in N1 and C1 (currently not allowed in either district) like Residential-Care, Licensed In-Home for six or Fewer Persons and Residential-Care, Licensed In-Home for More than six Persons where those uses are allowed.
- updating the Commercial Use Category to:
o permit Day Care Facilities, In-Home in R4, this is the only residential that does not permit in-home day care facilities. Day Care Facilities (not in-home) are permitted in R4.
- updating the Public, Institutional, or Recreational Use Category to:
o permit Religious Institutions conditionally in the Industrial, Agricultural and College Development zoning districts. Currently allowed conditionally in all other residential and commercial zones. This change is to update our code to reflect the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA). RLUIPA prevents governments from unreasonably limiting religious assemblies, institutions, or structures.
o permit School (Elementary or Secondary) conditionally in the C2 zoning district. Currently, listed as permitted existing. This would allow more flexibility for schools to locate in existing buildings, construct new buildings, and be located near other amenities to walk, bike and travel to and from the school.
o permit School (Trade, Business, or Other) conditionally in the Ag. zoning district. Currently, it is not allowed in the Ag. zoning district, but elementary, secondary, nursery or kindergarten schools are allowed conditionally in the Ag. zone already. This would open more opportunities for schools to operate.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommend the PC recommend these amendments to the City Council related to Permitted Use Table 2.7-1.
Alternative Options:
The PC can propose changes to the draft resolution.
Financial Impacts:
Adding more permitted uses would allow for additional business opportunities and the potential for an increase in tax base.
Tentative Timelines:
April 2, 2025: Public hearing notice published
April 17, 2025: PC public hearing and recommendation to City Council
May 6, 2025: First reading with City Council
May 20, 2025: Second reading with City Council and summary publication notice
May 28, 2025: Summary publication notice published
June 27, 2025: Ordinance adopted