Planning Commission Meeting Date: February 15, 2024
To: Members of the Planning Commission
From: Mikayla Schmidt, City Planner
Jake Reilly, Community Development Director
Title
Staff Updates.
Body
Action Requested:
The Planning Commission is asked to hear updates from staff.
Summary Report:
1. Southbridge HRA-owned property - The Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) entered into a memorandum of understanding with Northcountry Cooperative Foundation (NCF) in November, 2023 in order for NCF to complete due diligence items associated with a potential single-family home development proposed to be built on remaining land in the Southbridge neighborhood. The update provided by NCF to the HRA board for the February 1, 2024 regular meeting of the HRA is attached.
Of note: the community meeting in the Southbridge neighborhood, at the High School’s Lower Cafeteria, is now set for 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 29, 2024. The community event will include a brief presentation from City staff, followed by facilitated conversations at tables. Facilitation will take place in English and Spanish. Youth-appropriate activities will be available but no childcare is provided.
2. Bridge Square - The consultants presented the 60% plans and the Phase I Archaeological Study to the HPC on Dec. 6, 2023. The HPC gave feedback on the plans and staff submitted the plans to the SHPO for their comments on Dec. 11, 2023. Staff missed submitting the updated Phase I Archaeological Study, but has since sent the updated document for final comments on that piece of the overall project. Attached are the SHPOs comments based on the 60% plans.
3. Ames Mill Dam - The City Council gave staff direction to explore Option 3 of the report. Staff is coordinating with Barr Engineering and Post to discuss next steps.
4. Trunk Highway (TH) 246 Corridor Study - The corridor study has been underway for several months. Bolton & Menk presented the corridor options to the Northfield Transportation Advisory Committee (NTAC). The group did not make a final recommendation yet and are awaiting the final report from Bolton & Menk. A hyperlink is attached for more information on TH 246.
5. Lincoln Parkway Traffic Analysis - Staff plans to present the final report to City Council in February 20, 2024 to review and approve the study and final recommendations. Staff would then begin to look for grant opportunities and discuss funding options for construction. See attached hyperlink for more information.
6. The City has updated the Construction and Development Projects site with more information, see hyperlink in attachments.
7. Educational Resources - Resources and information available on planning and related topics are listed below. Feel free to share articles, podcasts, books, etc.
a) The League of MN Cities (website attached as a hyperlink) has a variety of documents and guides, which explain all types of planning related processes.
b) Several webinars are available for viewing (websites attached as a hyperlink):
i) American Planning Association
ii) Center for New Urbanism
iii) Smart Growth
iv) Urban Land Institute
v) MN Dept. of Natural Resources
8. City Council upcoming agenda items list is attached for reference.
9. The State of the City Address will March 19, 2024 at Kracum Hall Weitz Center at Carleton College. Doors open at 6:00pm with the program beginning at 6:30pm.
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