Target Debate Reemerges in Council Meeting

The Northfield City Council held its regular meeting today from 7 to 10 p.m. In addition to its regular business, the council welcomed a local Boy Scout Troop observing the evening's meeting. Three major agenda items and a surprise utilized the majority of the time.

A public hearing related to the Riverfront Redevelopment at Highway 3 and St. Olaf Avenue included lengthy presentations on tax increment financing from city staff. At one point council members Dixon Bond and Galen Malecha sparred regarding the apropriateness and timing of including a presentation of background information related to the financing method. Bond, who was chairing the public hearing, relented -- allowing the presentation to move forward, even though it was technically out of order.

An approval of the first reading of an ordinance and various resolutions relating to the Liberty Park 4th Addition included discussion of proper processes and concerns over holding pond construction. Randy Peterson of College City Homes, the developer of Liberty Park, eased the holding pond concerns by clarifying their intention to build the pond at the beginning rather than the end of the project. The council moved ahead with approval of all resolutions subject to the second reading of the ordinance rezoning the property. To allow for imediate construction, the council directed city staff to issue an appropriate permit.

Item 8 on the regular agenda dealt with a change to the city's comprehensive plan regarding a property associated with the Target/Cub site. The change would change the status of the property from a public/semi-public use to allow for commercial construction. According to Community Development Director Brian O'Connell, the site has not been able to be developed due to a limit on building square footages and parking lot requirements. The associated documentation included the drawing of a "Proposed Retail Building" that appears to be of a four suite strip-mall of 14,000 square feet.

In public comment on the issue that the planning commission passed on a 4-2 vote, both Victor and Katherine Summa, Northfield residents, spoke against the change. They were concerned about making a change that would allow further expansion from Target and Cub after only three years.

Council Member Jim Pokorney suggested that the council should look at the whole situation rather than just the comprehensive plan changes. Several council members echoed his desire. Malecha clarified that the designation was made as an appeasement to city residents against the Target development, and that he thought the council shouldn't be held hostage by previous councils' actions.

O'Connel recommended that the council focus on what is correct from a land use standpoint and set aside the Target issues.

Mayor Lee Lansing voiced his desire that the council review the original development agreement before proceeding. He also seconded Pokorney's position that the issue is more complex than the issue before the council. Lansing asked for a motion to postpone to the next council meeting which was given and seconded. The motion passed on a 4-3 vote with council members Maleca, Kris Vohs and Scott Davis voting against.

The council then received the Northfield Hospital Board's recommendation to not change the hospital from a municipal hospital. Bond suggested that the council keep in mind that the council requested the recommendation to find a way to resolve problems with the current arrangement.

During the reports from the mayor, Lansing said that he was ready to make a recommendation for an interim administrator to fill the role left by Susan Hoyt who submitted another letter announcing that she would use her vacation time to complete the remainder of her time with the city. Lansing recommended William A. Bassett from Mankato for the role, and the council consented by not objecting.

The council agenda and packets are available on the city's website.