Northfield 2045 is moving swiftly into Phase 3: Trends and alternatives. This phase reviews current conditions for land use, transportation, housing, and economic development and then presents alternative future directions. Now we’re getting to the really fun part of figuring out how to get from where we are now to realize that vision from the previous phase.

Where we are in the process (more than halfway there!):

Analysis and recommendations

There are three draft analyses available now: Economic Development, Transportation, Housing, and Climate plus a land use and growth analysis; the consultants call this a STEP analysis for future investment. A look back at the Community Profile from the Discovery Phase is a good accompaniment to this exercise.

Let me keep emphasizing these analyses (and the vision, etc.) are all works in progress until the plan is adopted. Each one is being reviewed by City staff, discussed by the Planning Commission and Steering Committee, and then revised by the consultants (perhaps with multiple iterations). Your comments are welcome, too – post them below (or use the contact page to send a non-public comment).

Over the next 20 years, this analysis suggests where and how Northfield should direct resources. The STEP analysis identifies areas of town or different levels of attention and investment.

Transform: The red areas are “prime opportunities to harness growing market demand and create renewed walkable, mixed-use, mixed-income centers. Transformation of the areas shown on the map will include land use changes or intensification of uses to create vibrant places to live and work, primarily serving as neighborhood centers for residents and employees alike.” T2 is around the Highway 3 and Fremouw intersection; this area could support more housing and neighborhood serving commercial uses which folks in the northwest part of town have requested for years. T1 imagines extending downtown to the west side of Highway 3 with a focus on the river. Both areas see improvements to Highway 3 itself – making it more street-like and less highway-like as part of the total picture.

Strengthen areas “have opportunities to make near-term investments that prepare areas well for future changes, where smaller scale interventions vary based on the land use and the unique needs of the area. Strengthen areas are not the highest priority redevelopment areas but have the potential to become such areas longer term and under the right market conditions.”

Enhance areas “are places that need minor improvement, with interventions dependent on the land use and neighborhood context.” This might include street improvements like traffic calming or bike and pedestrian facilities, park development, and small-scale infill to add additional housing types.

Preserve places “represent green spaces and historic places that are important in defining the city’s character and quality. Change should be carefully managed to enhance the setting and protect the environmental quality of these areas.” The historic downtown, college campuses, and open spaces are all places to preserve.

Add to this, there’s also a map showing where Northfield could grow at its edges (from Rice County urban expansion planning) and locations for possible more intensive development such as neighborhood serving commercial nodes where the orange dots are.

Trends and alternatives process and documents

There are three draft analyses available now: Economic Development, Transportation, Climate, and Housing plus a land use and growth analysis; the consultants call this a STEP analysis for future investment. A look back at the Community Profile from the Discovery Phase is a good accompaniment to this exercise.

Planning commission updates and presentations: The April Planning Commission meeting included this presentation recapping some vision and values information and introducing the STEP analysis. Plus, the monthly update from the consultants with additional information.

Steering committee materials: The Steering Committee meets May 22, 2024 and here’s the packet.

City website: The City has been putting up lots of links to housing documents, recordings of board and commission meetings discussing the plan, and some other stuff

And podcasts: I gave updates about this part of the process on KYMN April 22, 2024 and May 28; Jake Reilly delivered the June 24 update. City Administrator Ben Martig recaps the Northfield 2045 update to the Council on May 14, 2024.