Planning Commission Meeting – March 19, 2026

The Northfield Planning Commission met on March 19, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order at 6:01 PM by Vice Chair Schroeer. Four commissioners were present (Buckheit, Holleran, Schmidt, Schroeer), with three absent (Nowak, Kuhlmann, Lauer). Commissioner Holmes arrived around 6:20 PM. The primary agenda item was a public hearing and consideration of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for Carleton College’s proposed transportation facility improvements north of 1st St. E. After extensive public testimony—all opposed—the commission voted unanimously to postpone the item to allow for more detailed analysis and community engagement.

Approval of Agenda and Minutes

• The agenda was approved 4–0.
• The February 19, 2026 meeting minutes were approved 4–0.

Board Member and Commissioner Reports

• Commissioner Buckheit reported on attending the first Zoning Policy Advisory Committee meeting and an open house for zoning code reform; a survey is now available on the city website and the process is underway.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A public hearing was held for the Carleton College CUP. Thirteen members of the public spoke, all in opposition to the proposal. Key points included:
  • Paul Hager (former mayor and council member): wrong location, increased traffic, impacts on residential neighborhood, lack of detail.
  • Bill North: assumptions not evidence-based, no significant effect? Worry about wishful thinking.
  • Steve Edwards: already excessive neighborhood traffic; recommended tabling or denial.
  • Joel Weisberg: strongest terms to delay vote; cited lighting ordinance (dark sky friendly) and need to read submissions.
  • Veronica (last name unclear): no proper studies, high traffic area, light glare, 31 children in six immediate blocks; urged rejection and alternative location.
  • Margot Zsolnay: mother of three, decreased safety and cost to neighborhood, impeded character.
  • Kate Flory: neighborhood rep, needed more time to read letters; incomplete package; vote should not happen now; safety concerns due to neighborhood activity.
  • Andrew Flory (married to Kate): supported closing College Street but noted inconsistencies; flood of letters with negative effects; consider future growth.
  • Richard Miller: consulting company from Iowa doesn’t understand community; doubling lights; statements about nothing changed not true for neighborhood.
  • William Goff: lack of regard for neighborhood, no coordination, no traffic study; college operating in a vacuum.
  • Amy Gernin (Charter Commission member): urged delaying vote; value of bike lanes would be impacted.
  • Alice Thomas: shifts safety problems to neighborhood; need active citizen engagement; changes neighborhood character.
  • Melissa Hagar: 33 years in neighborhood, property values down; zone benefits neither party.

Discussion Items

• Staff presented the CUP application. Carleton representatives Eric Runestad (VP and Treasurer) and Linda Weingarten (Associate VP for Facilities) along with engineers from ISG gave a presentation covering project background, potential closure of College Street, traffic pattern changes, bus stop locations, transit route adjustments, parking, and site design. City staff noted significant public input received late in the day and provided three supplemental memos to the commission.
• City staff referenced the Comprehensive Plan supporting improved transit access and infrastructure.
• The meeting took a break from 7:35 PM to 7:38 PM.
• After the public hearing closed, Commissioner Buckheit moved to postpone the item, seconded by Commissioner Schmidt, to give staff more time to bring specific and detailed information, concrete data and analysis, and to consider mitigation ideas (traffic impact analysis, addressing campus expansion into residential areas, collaboration with the city on neighborhood-specific issues).

Key Outcomes

• The public hearing was closed unanimously (4–0).
• The motion to postpone the CUP (PC Res. 2026-002) passed unanimously (4–0). The item will return at a future meeting with additional analysis.
• Staff updates were presented by City Planner Mikayla Schmidt. Council Member Holmes (arriving late) added an update on the Ames Mill Dam, a community hot topic, with the city applying for a grant and requiring extensive engagement.
• The meeting adjourned at 8:21 PM.