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City of Northfield MN
File #: Res. 2026-031    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Resolution Status: Consent Agenda
File created: 10/20/2025 In control: City Council
On agenda: 3/17/2026 Final action:
Title: Consider Resolution Approving a New Joint Resolution for Orderly Annexation by and Between Bridgewater Township and the City of Northfield.
Indexes: Annexations
Attachments: 1. 1 - DRAFT OAA - Updated City of Northfield-Bridgewater Township Orderly Annexation Agreement, 2. 2 - EXHIBIT 3 - Bridgewater Annexation Map, 3. 3 - EXHIBIT 4 - Bridgewater Zoning Ordinances (Chapter 20), 4. 4 - EXHIBIT 5 - Rice County Zoning Map (11-26-24), 5. 5 - NOTICE - Bridgewater Township OAA Proof of Legal Notice, 6. 6 - FOR REFERENCE - Current OAA - Resolution 99-255 Bridgewater Annexation Agreement, 7. 7 - FOR REFERENCE - 1.11 Policy Position on Annexation, 8. 8 - FOR REFERENCE - 414.0325 Orderly Annexation in Designated Unicorporated Area
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City Council Meeting Date: March 17, 2026

To: Mayor and City Council

From: Ben Martig, City Administrator
Sara Hoffman, Executive Assistant/Deputy City Clerk

Title
Consider Resolution Approving a New Joint Resolution for Orderly Annexation by and Between Bridgewater Township and the City of Northfield.

Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves the Resolution Approving a New Joint Resolution for Orderly Annexation by and Between Bridgewater Township and the City of Northfield.

Summary Report:
An Orderly Annexation Agreement (OAA) designates a Subject Area as in need of orderly annexation and contains terms and conditions for future annexation.

The City of Northfield and Bridgewater Township previously entered into a joint Orderly Annexation Agreement in 1999 (attachment 6). The OAA was set to expire on December 31, 1999 but has been extended several times while discussions were ongoing for a new OAA. It did expire at the end of 2025, but since the parties were in the final stages of negotiations on a new agreement, it was decided to let it lapse instead of extending it for only a short period of time.

A select committee of City Council members, City staff, and City attorneys have been working with Supervisors from Bridgewater Township to update and approve a new OAA between the two entities.

The City Council approved a new OAA with Northfield Township on March 18, 2025. While this OAA differs in some areas, the intent of staff was to align the agreements in as many ways as feasible.

The Orderly Annexation Agreement and Exhibits, as agreed upon by both parties is attached (attachments 1-4). The Bridgewater Township Board of Supervisors approved this at their March 11, 2026 meeting. Specific areas of the agreement are noted below in more detail:

Subject Area
The Subject Area of the OAA is divided into two areas - Area 1 and Area 2. Area 1 consists of properties identified by the City that may be targeted for development ...

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