City Council Meeting Date: January 5, 2021
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Mikayla Schmidt, City Planner
Mitzi Baker, Community Development Director
Title
Consideration of an Ordinance Rezoning Several Parcels as part of the St. Olaf College - Ole Avenue Housing Project from R1-B: Low Density Residential to CD-S: College Development.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council is asked to give the second reading of the ordinance requesting the rezoning of the following parcels (2236351032, 2236351031, 2236325003, 2236325004, 2236325005, 2236325006, 2236325007, 2236325008, 2236325009), located west of Lincoln St. N., on both the North and South sides of St. Olaf Ave., from R1-B: Low Density Residential to CD-S: College Development to facilitate the proposed Ole Avenue Student Housing Project.
The Planning Commission and Staff recommend the City Council approve a Zoning Map Amendment for the above parcels to be rezoned from R1-B: Low Density Residential to CD-S: College Development.
Summary Report:
The parcels are located west of Lincoln Street North on the north and south sides of St. Olaf Avenue. The Framework Map of the Northfield Comprehensive Plan delineates the parcels to be rezoned as Neighborhood Central. This zone consists of single-family homes on smaller lots and includes some multi-family and mixed-use development. Walkability is a strong component and a range of housing types. The Comprehensive Plan goes on to state the Neighborhood Central zone begins to transition at its edges. The edges change from an urban square grid to suburban style development and start to lose consistency with square blocks. Future development should be reinforced by the character of the Neighborhood Central zone.
The rezoning of these parcels will be one step in the process for the proposed Ole Avenue Student Housing project. The project involves a new 300-bed residential hall to be constructed on the south side of St. Olaf Av...
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