Planning Commission Meeting Date: August 20, 2026
To: Members of the Planning Commission
From: Mathias Hughey, AICP, Interim City Planner
Title
Public Hearing for Consideration of a Text Amendment Revising the Setback Requirement for Data Processing Facilities from Existing or Planned Parks, Trails, and Other Recreational Features
Body
Action Requested:
The Planning Commission is asked to conduct a public hearing to gather input on the proposed text amendment revising the setback requirement for Data Processing Facilities from existing or planned parks, trails, and other recreational features
Summary Report:
City Staff is initiating a text amendment to revise Section 2.9.14(B)(6)(b) of the Land Development Code - Use Specific Standards for Data Processing Facilities which establishes a setback for data processing facilities from existing or planned parks, trails, and other recreational features.
The public hearing notice was published in the Northfield News on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.
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 and comments/conversation will be between the Chair and speaker; and between the Chair and Commissioners.
2. The speaker must give their name, address, 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).
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 Planning Commission meeting shall be read into the record or summarized for the record or simply delivered to the Planning Commission, as the Planning Commission may determine. They shall then be recorded in the minutes by title and filed with the minutes.
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 City Council will make a motion, second, and vote on closing the public hearing.
Staff will be giving a presentation on the text amendment. 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 for that for the applicant or public at that time.
Text amendments follow a Type 4 review procedure, with a public hearing at the Planning Commission, a recommendation by the Planning Commission to the City Council, and action by the City Council. Text amendments are enacted through ordinance, and require a first and second reading, followed by a waiting period before they go into effect.
City Plans & Policies Relevance:
NA
Alternative Options:
NA
Financial Impacts:
NA
Tentative Timelines:
August 5, 2026 - Public Hearing Notice Published in the Northfield News
August 20, 2026 - Public Hearing and Planning Commission Recommendation
September 8, 2026 - First Reading at City Council
September 22, 2026 - Second Reading and Approval of Summary Publication
September 30, 2026 - Summary Publication in the Northfield News
October 30, 2026 - Ordinance goes into effect