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Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals
Meetings
Third Thursday of each month
6 p.m.
City Hall, Council Chamber
801 Washington Street
Northfield, MN 55057
Assistance
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In the Council Chambers, an induction loop system is provided for hearing device users. To use, turn your hearing device to the "T" setting or request a loop receiver.
Upcoming meeting
05-18-2023 PC Work Session Agenda Packet
Public monitoring
Members of the public may monitor the meeting by watching the live stream.
Live Stream
eComment
The City of Northfield has an electronic comment (eComment) feature for PC/ZBA meetings. eComment provides an easy way for residents to add their voices to the process and makes participation in public meetings convenient when it may be difficult to the attend the meeting in person.
Once the agenda is published, the eComment link will be active. Residents can review agenda items details, indicate their position on an item and leave feedback by clicking on the eComment tab on the PC/ZBA meeting page:
Comments may be submitted until noon on the day of the meeting.
Agendas and minutes
Members
Name | Title | Term expiration |
---|---|---|
Betsey Buckheit | Chair | December 31, 2023 |
Tracy Heisler | Vice Chair | December 31, 2024 |
Bill Kuhlmann | Member | December 31, 2025 |
Jason Menard | Member | December 31, 2024 |
Brian Nowak | Member | December 31, 2023 |
William Schroeer | Member | December 31, 2025 |
Davin Sokup | Non-Voting Ex- Officio Member - Council | December 31, 2023 |
Donald Stager | Member | December 31, 2024 |
Griffith Dahle | Youth Representative (non-voting member) | 2023-2024 school year |
Steven Thorstensson | Youth Representative (non-voting member) | 2023-2024 school year |
Contacting the commission
If you have questions or comments, you can email the commission. Each member will receive your email. When replying to your email, a commission member cannot reply to all members, only to you. This avoids violating the open meeting law.
Email the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals
Liaisons
For general information about the commission, please contact a staff liaison. Also, if you have questions or comments for the commission, contact a staff liaison and they will assist.
Name | Title | Phone number |
---|---|---|
Jake Reilly | Community Development Director | 507-645-3005 |
Mikayla Schmidt | City Planner | 507-645-3059 |
Kari Bonde | Administrative Associate | 507-645-3036 |
Overview
The Planning Commission plays a major role in advising the City Council in the preparation, review and implementation of the city's Comprehensive Plan. The commission conducts public hearings and makes recommendations to the City Council on zoning amendments, conditional use permits, preliminary plats and other proposed changes affecting zoning and land uses within the city. The Planning Commission forwards information gathered from these public hearings, along with staff and their recommendations, to the City Council for final action.
The functions of the Planning Commission are separate from and exclusive of the functions of the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Zoning Board of Appeals reviews and makes final decisions on variances and appeals on land use decisions.
The official Land Development Code is located in the Official City Code, Chapter 34, and will be the code that rules.
Special meetings are occasionally called, four members constitute a quorum. All Planning Commission meetings are open to the public and are broadcast live on the city website.
Membership requirements
The Planning Commission / Zoning Board of Appeals is comprised of seven regular members who are appointed by the mayor and approved by the City Council. Each member serves a three-year term. There is a three term limit. Members do not receive monetary compensation.
Important document and links
Board and Commission Rules of Business and Meeting Rules
2023 Meeting Schedule and Submittal Deadlines
Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals Bylaws (approved 3/17/2022)
Planning Commission Work Plan (approved 7/21/2022)
Planning Commissioners Quasi-Judicial Decisions and Ex-Parte Communication Guidance (PDF)
Applying
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You can apply to more than one board, commission or task force.
Apply for a board, commission, or task force
Applications are also available at:
City Hall
801 Washington Street
Northfield, MN 55057Northfield Public Library
210 Washington Street
Northfield, MN 55057