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Recent posts
- Northfield 2045 January 15, 2024
- A very short history of bike planning in Northfield August 30, 2023
- Ole Avenue questions persist February 15, 2021
- Vote local October 1, 2020
- Urbanists tweet about the roundabout November 14, 2019
Archive
Categories
Category Archives: Policy problems
Northfield 2045
This is not the official Northfield 2045 Comprehensive Plan page (it’s over here); this is an introduction to the unofficial page. Disclaimer: State law gives the Planning Commission the duty to recommend a Plan to the Council, so as Planning … Continue reading
Posted in Budget, Democracy & civic engagement, Land use, Policy problems
Tagged Comprehensive Plan
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Ole Avenue questions persist
Ole Avenue is St. Olaf’s planned residence hall/townhome project: This is an exciting project, mostly. New residence halls and townhomes will bring students back on campus, St. Olaf Avenue will be reinforced as the tree-lined entrance to the campus from … Continue reading
The tip of the Ice Arena budget iceberg
The voters said “no” to building a new Arena, but the old Arena is still City property, is still operated by the City, is still barely functional, and whether to fix it is still unresolved. But budget season for the City will soon be underway and some choices will need to be made. Continue reading
ADUs: Reframing the discussion
After what seemed like unanimity and a strong sense of purpose at the Planning Commission, the Council discussion about Accessory Dwelling Units has been dispiriting to watch thus far and the public comments even more so. Since the Council will … Continue reading
Posted in Housing, Policy problems
Tagged ADU, featured, housing, neighborhoods, Planning Commission
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Sidewalks as safe transportation infrastructure
After tripping in the same hole in the sidewalk on Division Street not once but three times in recent weeks, I was relieved to see City workers repairing curbs and repairing trip hazards. Like these: My current inconvenience and … Continue reading
Posted in Policy problems, Transportation
Tagged accessibility, ADA, featured, mobility, walking
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Future essential character: Starbucks, planning, and future development
Planning looks ahead to set policy and draft regulations to guide how a town grows. Development works now to get projects approved and built. When the development does not fit the planning, which should prevail? The long-term planning or the … Continue reading
Posted in Economic development, Policy problems
Tagged Crossings, Zoning Board of Appeals
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Tiny Houses need a much larger look
The Northfield Planning Commission took a little look at Tiny Houses back in January, but the city really needs to build tiny houses into the much bigger picture of housing in Northfield. What’s a Tiny House? Tiny Houses are, of … Continue reading
Back in the (Planning Commission) saddle again
I started blogging (at the suggestion/arm-twisting of civic blogmeister Griff Wigley) when I ran for mayor in 2004. I was the chair of the Planning Commission at the time and while I lost the election, I kept writing until I … Continue reading
Northfield Community Survey – my real answers
I just completed the Northfield Community Survey and you should, too. The survey is the mechanism by which the Council and city staff collect information from The Public (boards and commissions having had their own meetings) to inform their strategic planning … Continue reading
Strategic planning in Northfield
The late Dixon Bond once observed to me: “Northfield has a tendency to over-plan.” So when the EDA, Planning Commission and City Council meet in a worksession tonight (04/11/2017) to do some (carefully orchestrated, consultant-driven) strategic planning, I will try … Continue reading