Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting - March 4, 2026

The Northfield Heritage Preservation Commission met on March 4, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. Chair Baird Jarman called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM. Five commissioners were present (Chair Jarman, Commissioners Clifford Clark, Sarah Beimers, Amy Machacek Shonka, and Aaron Street), two were absent (Commissioner Robert Stangler and Vice Chair Michael Meehan). Staff present included Associate Planner Mathias Hughey, Meeting Associate Matt Bailey, and Youth Representative Teagan Noetzel. The commission considered two Certificates of Appropriateness for building rehabilitation projects and received staff updates.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda was amended to switch the order of agenda items 2 and 3, then approved as amended (motion carried 4-0).
• The February 4, 2026 HPC meeting minutes were approved (motion carried 4-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comment was received during the open public comment period.

Discussion Items

• Rear Façade Rehabilitation at 312-314 Division St. S. (McKay and Tosney Buildings): Associate Planner Mathias Hughey submitted the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness (HPC Res. 2026-003). He introduced the applicant, Jessica Peterson White. The commission discussed the scope of work and findings of fact. Commissioner Street made a motion to approve, seconded by Commissioner Machacek Shonka. The motion carried 4-0.
• Façade Restoration at 408 Division St. S. (Scriver Building): Associate Planner Hughey submitted the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness (HPC Res. 2026-002). He introduced the applicant, Sean Allen (Executive Director of the Northfield History Center), and architect Todd Grover of MacDonald & Mack Architects. Commissioner Clark joined the meeting at 6:33 PM; Youth Representative Noetzel joined at 6:40 PM. Commissioner Street recused himself from the vote due to his position on the board of the Northfield History Center. After discussion, Commissioner Clark made a motion to approve the resolution, seconded by Commissioner Beimers. The motion carried 4-0 with one recusal.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Certificate of Appropriateness for rear façade rehabilitation at 312-314 Division St. S. (McKay and Tosney Buildings) – motion 4-0.
• Approved Certificate of Appropriateness for façade restoration at 408 Division St. S. (Scriver Building) – motion 4-0 (Commissioner Street recused).
• Staff Updates: Associate Planner Hughey provided updates on upcoming council agenda items, construction and development projects in Northfield, and links to planning webinars and NAPC Forum information. Commissioner Clark reported sending a comment to the federal government regarding the construction of the White House ballroom.
• Meeting adjourned at 7:10 PM.

Note: The raw transcript provided only contained the fragment "I think it's a good question" and did not include substantive dialogue; the summary above is based on the official meeting minutes and agenda.