EQC Meeting Date: April 15, 2026
To: Environmental Quality Commission
From: Sara Pabich, Sustainability Coordinator
Title
Staff Update
Body
Action Requested:
The EQC receives an update regarding staff activities.
Summary Report:
This update includes items not included as agenda items for this meeting.
Zoning Code Update:
The City of Northfield is updating its Zoning Code to better meet community needs and align with the 2025 Comprehensive Plan. Residents are encouraged to share their input by completing an online survey by April 22nd, 2026, as public feedback will help guide the future of the community.
EQC Tabling Events:
Staff emailed the Commission a volunteer sign-up form for tabling opportunities at the Earth Day event and the Riverwalk Market and request that EQC members sign up. Staff also provided a presentation to City Council on April 7 with an update on Earth Day activities. Attached are the Earth Day advertisement flyer, and copies of the flyers the City has ready to share at Earth Day.
Parks
* The Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) continues to have a clear and important role in park-related matters following the City's decision to sunset the Parks Board in 2026. While the EQC is not intended to replace a parks-focused advisory body or take on operational park planning functions, its duties support providing input where environmental considerations are involved. This includes assessing environmental impacts of park projects, advising on alignment with environmental goals, and recommending approaches that enhance conservation and ecological health within park spaces.
Under Sec. 2-424 of the City Code, the EQC is tasked with advising on environmental impacts, evaluating city activities against environmental policies, and recommending actions to improve environmental quality. Since parks are a key part of the City's natural systems, it is appropriate-and generally expected-for the EQC to provide feedback on park planning and projects wh...
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