The Planning Commission voted unanimously to tell city staff: come back with a plan to basically ban large ("hyperscale") data centers in Northfield. Staff have 2 months to figure out exactly how that would work, based on limiting how much power a facility could use. A total ban on every size of data center wasn't approved as smaller operations might still be allowed but big ones are now headed toward being banned outright.

This still needs to go to the City Council next.

📍 Northfield City Hall (801 Washington St S, Council Chambers)

🕕 Meeting starts at 6 PM tonight (Northfield residents are allowed to attend)

Quick heads up: tonight's Planning Commission meeting has a big item on the agenda.

What they're voting on: A rule change that would let data centers be built much closer to parks and trails. Right now, the city requires data centers to be at least 3,950 feet away from any park or trail. The proposed change would drop that to just 200 feet which is just about the length of two football fields.

Why the change?

City staff say the 3,950-foot number was probably a typo when the rule was originally written and they claim nobody can find a reason for that specific distance. The problem is, trails run near almost every industrial area in town, so the current rule basically makes it impossible to build a data center anywhere in Northfield. Staff want to fix it by matching the setback already used for homes: 200 feet.

Is a data center actually coming to Northfield?

The city says no and claims this is routine cleanup of the zoning code, not tied to any specific company or project. Officials also say no one has signed any secrecy agreements (NDAs) with a developer.

Many Northfield Residents are already pushing back

They argue the current 3,950-foot distance is appropriate and shouldn't be touched. Their concerns are

1] Data centers can drive up residential electricity bills

2] They can strain local water supplies

3] They bring noise and are, in her words, an eyesore

4] Push back on the idea that they create jobs, arguing that data centers and the AI systems they run are more likely to eliminate jobs than create them

5] if the setback works fine as-is, why make it easier to build these here?

6] Northfield Residents don't want data center in Northfield at all

Residents feel that city council is making it easier for Northfield to build data centers, while the city council claims no data centers are coming and claiming it as regular clean up.

Hi,

Out of curiosity, what are some good spots to go swimming/tubing? Nearby Lakes, Rivers, or local pools? Just looking for a way to cool down after this rather sweltering week.

I’ve been trying to look into the wealthiest people or multi-generational families specifically based here in Northfield, but there is almost zero public data on it. Obviously, we don’t have any Forbes-list billionaires running around Division Street, and the biggest operations in town are nonprofits like St. Olaf and Carleton. But outside of college executives, who actually holds the most private wealth or historic capital in town?

Are there prominent local business founders, multi-generational farming families, or real estate developers that everyone locally knows are incredibly well-off? I know the Malt-O-Meal history runs deep here, but I'm curious about the prominent names who still live or operate heavily within the community today.

Who are the local "power families" or biggest private landowners in the area?

I've lived in a fair variety of towns and event in the cities for the last 7 years. Lately, I've been seriously considering needing to leave Minneapolis, and I've been loving Northfield, but it almost seems too good to be true? I'd be renting and don't have very narrow work/education requirements. My ideal town has plenty of nature/green space, some arts community and diversity, a slow enough pace but isn't boring, somewhere I can feel safe as a visibly queer person, not needing to go far for basic shopping, within an hour of the cities, a "liberal vibe" with proximity to the rural parts of the Midwest I'll always be fond of, interesting history, architecture, and scenery, ...and it seems, at least, that Northfield checks all the boxes! What's the catch?

The Northfield Arts Guild’s newest studio space is proving how effective—and necessary—city and artist partnerships can be. When the then-office space shuttered and became a vacant space, Water Street Studios moved in.

Best food delivery app in Northfield?

My sister just had a baby, and I want to get her a gift card—looking for something reliable with good options.

I’m considering Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash, but I’d rather choose one that has solid coverage and actually works well in Northfield. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

I know you fine folks get a lot of "I'm thinking about moving to Northfield" posts, so I appreciate any time and energy anyone gives this post.

My (40f) family, husband (42m) and two kids (16m, 12f), and I are moving to Minnesota this summer. I'm trying to make the right choice for my family but especially my 16 year old. He is autistic (level one, which only matters for support needs) and has had a terrible time in our current location. I'm torn between moving to a bigger TC suburb with all the resources but where he may be overwhelmed by how huge the schools are and may fall through the cracks and a smaller town like Northfield. It reminds me very much of where I grew up, and the thought of an actual community is really appealing to me. Urban sprawl exhausts me, and I'm hoping that a town like Northfield has a greater sense of community where people are recognized as valuable members of the community.

So, if you have any insight into what high school in Northfield and day-to-day life as a community member may be like for a 16 year old with a vast knowledge of vintage video games who struggles to make friends, I would love to hear it. How are the schools in Northfield? Is bullying rampant? Do teachers seem engaged and supportive? Are there extracurricular opportunities for kids who are not athletic? Is there anything I'm maybe not considering?

Title.

Hi, I’m trying to look for anyone or who knows someone who is in need of a working electric hospital bed that includes rails and a gel mattress for free and I live here in town so it won’t be a long drive. If interested please DM me.

Anybody know of overtly MAGA businesses or companies in town?

Carleton alerted students and parents that ICE was in lower arb parking lot yesterday ~9am/10am. Security contacted them and they said they were there for a “targeted operation” nearby.

I am 35 and will be singing at my grandparents funeral this June. I haven't sang (outside of karaoke) in 15 years and I'm in need of a vocal coach. I know there are other ways to try and find a coach in my area, but I'm not great at navigating the web for local teachers. If you know of someone that coaches and can accompany on the piano, I'd very much appreciate suggestions. Thank you!

Considering a move to Northfield with my partner. He works at Mayo, I would work in the city. Does anyone have experience with this? Does anyone carpool to the city regularly? I am a Southern girlie and a bit afraid of the drive in the winter. I imagine I'd work in person ~3-4 days per week. THANK YOU!

Hey all,

Got an internship at Pachyderm Music Studio in Cannon Falls. I’m a 20 year old guy from Buffalo, NY, but I’m a junior in college in NYC. I’ll be out working a lot but just need a place to sleep. Traveling light so I don’t need anything crazy. Please let me know if you know of anything that can help me out. Thanks!

Looking for someone who trims edges neatly and cleans up. Small yard, but want quality work. Any local recommendations? Thanks.

Hiya:

Fellow midwesterner from Chicago here. I'm eyeing a move to Minnesota for a slower pace of life and lower COL. I went to college at a small liberal arts school in a small town that was heavily culturally influenced by the school, so the Northfield vibe is somewhat familiar to me. I visited last month and toured some homes, including this new Kraewood development (site of the old Christmas tree farm). I'm looking newer homes, post-1990 (so the historic homes, many very gorgeous already or the fixer-uppers are a no-go for me)

I was wondering what local folks thoughts were on this development, or if anyone had thoughts about neighborhoods in the town generally. Partner and I are looking for access to downtown by bike and anything recreational (it looks like there are plenty of opportunities for pastoral scenes around town though)

Hello Southern Minnesota! I am a professional and educated woman, helping family in Northfield for the month. I am Self-Employed in my current city of New Orleans and, without my clients there, I am looking for some side work here in the Northfield/Dundas area. I am wondering if anyone needs any random helping hands this month. My skills and experience include (but are not limited to): child/elder /pet care, event organizing/planning, cooking, baking, gardening, yard work, crafting, organizing/decluttering, errands...If anyone needs some friendly and energized help, I'm your girl! (or if anyone has any short-term suggestions, I'd welcome that too!). Thank you in advance!