Charette :
Northfield 3rd Business and Industrial Park Strategic Vision Charrette Comments - Common Themes • Land uses should primarily be employment uses (office/industrial). It should be a regional business center. • Retail uses should be limited and considered as a support use only for these two sites. • Housing, if considered as a viable land use, should: o o o o
be limited as a land use. be non-conventional, higher density housing address the issues of affordable, workforce housing. be carefully considered in the phasing strategy – not an early phase of development.
• The north site seems better suited for more intense land uses due to its relatively flat and open landscape. Provide less intense uses near Highway 19. • The south site seems better suited to less intense, site sensitive development due to creek environments and topography. A campus setting is preferred. • Explore non-conventional business and industrial park development.
• The plans must be feasible – supported by market conditions. • Gateway – particularly the north site – should portray a better image into the city. There is concern that conventional industrial and/or office park uses might not be the best image as one enters the city. • Many liked the idea of a land swap with St. Olaf so the north site could be developed and the south site could host an environmental education use operated by the college (ie. arboretum). • Many preferred that some of the land remain in agricultural use. • Consider the idea of the land being used for food production, community gardens, farmers market. • The plan must be compatible with the small town character of Northfield. • Pursue ecologically sensitive designs as much as possible. Strive for the highest green standards available. • Wind turbines should be located where development occurs or in agricultural areas, not in open space or greenways. • Address all levels of sustainability – community, site, block, street, building. • How does the phasing play out? Is this a 10, 20 or 30 year development?
Creative Solutions for Land Planning and Design
Hoisington Koegler Group Inc.
MEMO Date: From: To: Re: CC:
December 8, 2009 Jeff McMenimen, Mark Koegler Jody Gunderson, Northfield EDA Director Northfield Business Park – Visioning Charrette Summary Notes Steering Committee Members EDA members Technical Committee Members
The following notes summarize the discussion with Steering Committee/EDA/Stakeholders and public input received during the Visioning Charrette conducted on December 1-2, 2009: VISIONING CHARRETTE Intent and Expected Outcomes The intent of the Northfield 3rd Business and Industrial Park Visioning Charrette was to kick off the planning process by exploring context and site issues, opportunities, desired outcomes and potential solutions and strategies for future business and industrial park development on each of the two project study sites. The charrette was a collaborative planning process, in this case, designed to harness the talents and energies of the planning team along with members from the EDA, Steering Committee, stakeholders with input from the community to create and discuss preliminary master plan concepts. Specifically, the purpose of the charrette is to achieve the following: • • • • •
Kick start the creative planning process Explore and discuss potential master plan alternatives for the business park site(s) Capitalize on the history and knowledge of key stakeholders and members of the community Build consensus for preliminary master plan concepts Develop preliminary land use programs, concept drawings, diagrams, design principles and strategies
DAY ONE Overview
123 North Third Street, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1659 Ph (612) 338-0800 Fx (612) 338-6838
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Day One began with a bus tour of both sites. Steering Committee/EDA members and stakeholders joined the planning team to tour each site and discuss specific site characteristics.
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Following the tour, the planning team led the Steering Committee/EDA and stakeholders through a discussion of their vision for the planning of each site – discussing planning issues such as land use program, pattern, scale and character of development, sustainability initiatives, and potential planning challenges.
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The planning team explored several concepts for developing the two project sites during the afternoon, preparing plan diagrams and program ideas to review with the general public during the Pin Up session.
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The Pin Up session was conducted from 4-6pm. The planning team presented each concept and general land use program information. Following the presentation, members of the community were invited to provide input on the preliminary concepts.
Discussion with Steering Committee/EDA/Stakeholders The planning team led the discussion with Steering Committee/EDA members and stakeholders regarding their vision for development of the business/industrial park sites. The following is a summary of comments received: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Land uses should primarily be employment uses (office/industrial). Retail should not be a priority land use on either site but should be considered as a support use. Can see a need for fuel station, convenience store, dry cleaners, etc. Should civic uses be explored? There had been discussion regarding the inclusion of a hockey rink. Given the relatively flat and open nature of the north site, perhaps it is better suited to harder, more industrial uses of the two sites. Given the sensitive nature of environmental systems on the south site, maybe lighter office and industrial uses in a campus setting are most appropriate. A conference facility should be considered. Renewable energy sources should be considered (biogas, wind, solar, geothermal). The southern portion of the north site might be better suited to corporate users to portray a better entry image into the city while more industrial users could be sited on the northern portions of the north site. Perhaps the south site is a good location for environmental studies programs conducted by the local colleges (arboretum, agricultural research, etc.) Look for educational/interpretive opportunities. Does access to rail make sense on the south site? Explore non-conventional development scenarios. The plans must be feasible – supported by market conditions.
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The plans must be compatible with the small town character of Northfield. This can be achieved by developing street-fronted buildings with parking located behind the buildings, maximizing the height of the buildings to preserve open space, using local materials and design patterns. Work with the land. Plan for a campus-like setting on the south site – buildings on a green campus. Is there land swap potential with St. Olaf? Perhaps an arboretum (St. Olafs) on the south site4 in exchange for the ability to develop the 90 acre St. Olaf property on the north site. If housing is considered as an appropriate land use, it should not be designed as detached, low density, single family home lots. It should be non-conventional, higher density, type of housing tied to supporting people who work at the business park. Affordable, workforce, live/work housing options should be explored. There should be housing choices for all economic groups. The planning team should challenge conventional data (market conditions). Phasing strategies must be considered for each concept. The plans should be flexible to adapt to changing market, social and technology conditions. Address all levels of sustainability – community, site, building.
Preliminary Land Use Program The planning team worked with a preliminary land use program to generate concepts. The preliminary land use program is informed by the market analysis being conducted by the planning team. It takes into consideration current and historical business/industrial park developments in the Twin Cities and adjusts those assumptions based upon unique attributes common to Northfield in the marketplace. The following land use assumptions provided the basis for the planning team to begin work on the two sites: Land Use
% of Building Program
Avg. Size of Building (SF)
Bulk Warehouse Office Warehouse Office Showroom Manufacturing Other
15% 15% 10% 40% 20%
50,000sf – 150,000sf 50,000sf – 150,000sf 15,000sf – 40,000sf 25,000sf – 250,000sf 10,000sf – 25,000sf
Note: The market analysis model predicts an annual absorption of approximately 100,000sf of business/industrial park development in Northfield with a total creation of 2.14 million square feet of business/industrial use in Northfield by 2030. Preliminary Concepts The planning team developed two preliminary concept plans for each site on Day One. Each concept illustrated a different approach to land use program, theme, and organization of the site. The following is a summary of land use programs explored:
North ‘A’ Land Use Agricultural Research (Saint Olaf) Mixed Office/Industrial Housing Retail Open Space Total
Area 90 ac. 200 ac. 80 ac. 10 ac. 150 ac. 530 ac.
North ‘B’ Land Use Medical Complex - Office - Hospice - Wellness Center - Clinics Energy Campus - Wind - Biogas Mixed Office/Industrial Data Center Housing Retail Open Space Total
Area 60 ac.
30 ac. 200 ac. 20 ac. 60 ac. 10 ac. 150 ac. 530 ac.
South ‘A’ Land Use Corporate Campus Conference Center Golf Course (Audubon Sanctuary) Housing Open Space Total
Area 30 ac. 20 ac. 200 ac. 50 ac. 150 ac. 450 ac.
South ‘B’ Land Use Arboretum (Saint Olaf) Conference Center Corporate Campus Housing
Area 150 ac. 20 ac. 90 ac. 90 ac.
Education/Environmental Center Open Space Total
10 ac. 90 ac. 450 ac.
Public Input The following is a summary of public comments received during the Day One Pin Up session. These comments were discussed with the Steering Committee on the morning of Day Two and incorporated into work completed on Day Two: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Housing should not be considered to just fill in the rest of the property with a land use after the business program has been accommodated. There must be a supported need for additional housing on a regional scale. If housing is a necessary land use to make the project financially feasible or to reach goals of sustainability, it should be carefully considered in the phasing strategy. Housing should not be an early phased development if included. The economics of housing must work. If housing is considered, it should not be conventional, single family homes. Is the development too big? Should more of this land be considered as greenbelt? The north and south sites seem to have different personalities – the north site better suited for more intense land uses due to it’s relatively flat and open landscape, the south site better suited to less intense, site sensitive development due to the creeks and topography. Is there an argument to not annex the south site if the business/industrial park program (for 2030) can be accommodated on the north site? The plans should balance the cost of the property with the appropriate amount of open space. Given the development concepts prepared for the south site, does it make economic sense? Is there enough income generating land use included in the plan to turn any profit? What is the long term growth to the west of town? Should these studies consider off-site potential growth scenarios? Many liked the idea of a land swap with St. Olaf’s property on the north site in exchange for the ability to develop a St. Olaf’s Arboretum on the south site. Concerns regarding the land swap idea with St. Olaf’s – Timing of swap? Decision making process? Is the land contiguous with the campus? Necessary infrastructure? The primary concern of the plan should be to prepare a plan to increase the City’s tax base. It should be a regional business center with a variety of jobs. Workforce housing should be considered to support new jobs created by the development. (potentially 1,500 new jobs) The golf course concept has little support. Initially there was some push-back on the use of retail. The concern was that it might compete with downtown retail. Once people understood the amount of retail (approx. 10 ac.) planned here was small and meant to support employees and residents of the development (fuel station, convenience store, dry cleaners, etc.), it became more accepted as an appropriate use.
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Does the land use program mix make economic sense? Is there the appropriate amount of industrial, commercial, residential use? What are the costs of “green” solutions to development? Can one of the concepts explore fully sustainable solutions – meaning environmentally sustainable? Eco-industrial park concept? How does the phasing of development play out? Is this a 10, 20 or 30 year development? Access from Hwy 19 and 23 is critical to the way this development occurs. Please provide the opportunity to submit written comments. Please provide the opportunity to comment on concepts on the project website.
DAY TWO Overview •
Day Two began with a discussion between the planning team, Steering Committee and stakeholders regarding public comments received at the Day One Pin Up.
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The planning team worked with City Staff to develop revised concepts that would address the public comments received on Day One.
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The planning team conducted the Day Two Pin Up session with a brief presentation of the things heard the evening before and new concept development achieved throughout the day.
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Public comments were received on several new concepts.
Revised Concepts The planning team developed revised preliminary concept plans for each site based upon earlier public comment received on Day One. Each concept illustrates a different approach to land use program, theme, and organization of the site. The team prepared 3 concepts for the north site and 1 new concept for the south site. The following is a summary of land use programs explored: North ‘A’ North site ‘A’ incorporates a mixed use center with office, live/work and neighborhood retail north of highway 19 and west of highway 23. The street system in this area incorporates smaller block sizes within the center – reminiscent of the historic block pattern in Northfield. The St. Olaf property is planned for a health campus with medical office, a potential civic use and hotel accommodations. The northwest portion of the site includes an energy park for renewable energy sources including biogas and wind generation facilities. The northeast portion of the site is planned for medium density housing (townhomes). The open space system is based on large swaths of greenways, trails and smaller, more urban parks and parkways.
Land Use Eco-Industrial Energy Campus Medical Office/Health Campus Mixed Office Professional Services Live/Work Civic Hotel Accomodations Housing Retail Open Space Total
Area 100 ac. 50 ac. 40 ac. 70 ac. 20 ac. 15 ac. 10 ac. 10 ac. 70 ac. 5 ac. 140 ac. 530 ac.
North ‘B’ The north ‘B’ concept is intended to address environmental sustainability while expanding the tax base. It includes wind farms, bio-fuel algae production areas to provide fuel for a biogas energy plant, eco-industrial uses and an innovation think tank located on the St. Olaf property. Much of the northern portion of the site is left for agriculture uses until further development is necessary. Land Use Eco-Industrial Energy Campus - Wind - Biogas Office and Innovation Center Retail Education Open Space Agriculture Total
Area 100 ac. 160 ac. 50 ac. 15 ac. 10 ac. 70 ac. 125 ac. 530 ac.
North ‘C’ The north ‘C’ site plan focuses development for the business/industrial program near Hwy 19 and Hwy 23. It also proposes a health campus development on the St. Olaf property in close proximity to the Northfield Hospital. Remaining land along the north side of the property would remain in agriculture near term and future development is “to be determined”. The plan incorporates large swaths of open greenways and wind turbines over the agricultural fields. Land Use
Area
Health Campus Manufacturing/Warehouse Flexible Use/Office Mixed-Office or Housing Live/Work Civic Hotel Accomodations Neighborhood Retail Agriculture (TBD – future) Open Space Total
90 ac. 120 ac. 20 ac. 50 ac. 5 ac. 5 ac. 5 ac. 3 ac. 180 ac. 52 ac. 530 ac.
South ‘A’ Due to sensitive landscapes along Heath Creek and Spring Brook, the south site has been planned for less intensive uses. The south site has been planned to incorporate an arboretum and an associated environmental learning center, a corporate campus with conference center, and housing for alumni. The remainder of the property would be reserved for agriculture uses until further growth is necessary, in which time the remaining land would be developed for corporate campus, eco-industrial and housing uses. Land Use Area Arboretum (Saint Olaf) 160 ac. Conference Center 20 ac. Corporate Campus 50 ac. Alumni Housing 10 ac. Education/Environmental Center 10 ac. Agriculture (near term) 200 ac. - Corporate Campus (future) (50 ac) - Eco-Industrial (future) (100 ac) - Housing (future) (50 ac) __________________________________________ Total 450 ac.
Public Input General Comments •
Please pursue ecologically sensitive designs as much as possible. I think the idea of attracting “green” businesses to Northfield is a smart move and these plans should strive for the highest “green” standards available. Water management, energy production, etc. are great ideas. Some other ideas should be weighed carefully as to whether they are in fact ecologically wise (biofuels, eg., though I understand algae has more promise, it takes
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up less space). If twice as much square footage is needed, then we should consider building up or down rather than paving over another 100 acres we could be growing food on. Adequate land for food production is a critical piece of sustainable development. I hope whatever plans you develop work to minimize the irreparable loss of arable land. As Northfield grows we will need that land to grow food on. I’m very impressed with the leaps of intellectual progress from Tues to Wed. In the last 15 years I’ve lived in Northfield, I have seen various interactions with Hoisington Koegler and been very impressed with their respect for the public component of their process. Our City Staff, in my opinion, has not exhibited that same respect for citizen input. Please retain your firm principles, I am confident you will try to do that.
North Site ‘A’ • • • • • •
We don’t need or want residential on the north site. If not used for (industrial), keep it agricultural. How do you ensure that Phase V (residential) doesn’t end up as Phase I or Phase II? Homes don’t seem to be justified is this is for business and industrial use. This plan doesn’t present the visual gateway we’d like for Northfield – looks like a little city – needs a different face to the gateway. I’d prefer to discourage the kind of development that “needs” visibility from the highway(19). The woodland is valuable and can be restored – do not destroy! Respect this resource.
North Site ‘B’ • • • • • •
The characteristics of this plan make it most promising and fitting for Northfield – compact, focused on energy, green, etc. Concern regarding retail and housing. It also leaves much land in agriculture which we want to protect. This whole concept is the best idea for making Northfield distinctive and attractive. Build in some local food production for businesses, hospital or St. Olaf – pigs, vegetables. Contact Spartz Medin wind company
North Site ‘C’ •
I don’t understand “showroom” along the highway. Is that what we want as a gateway?
South Site ‘A’ • •
Phasing indicated you are starting on the east. Northfield does not need changes to our annexation agreement to include Sec. 3 for 10 years or more. Good idea for green space.
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The only reason, in my opinion, for Northfield to annex this property is to codify the principles Northfield says it has about itself as a special place. Annexing this land to preserve/protect it as a possible heritage eco-educational opportunity using the expertise of adjacent St. Olaf College to “brand” this effort – makes use of our biggest industry – education. The annexation agreement with Bridgewater must be dealt with in a timely and cooperative RGU manner. I hope HKGi can help facilitate that process by your firms respect for process. This is a vastly improved plan. It respects and takes advantage of the unique resources in the area. Hope the housing remains many years out.
NORTHFIELD 3RD BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL PARK VISIONING CHARRETTE SELF-GUIDED TOUR SITES
Office and Industrial Park Projects in the Twin Cities Metro Area 1. H.B. Fuller Corporate Center 1200 Willow Lake Blvd. Vadnais Heights, MN 2. Golden Triangle Technology Center NE Quadrant of Hwy 212 and I-494, Eden Prairie, MN 3. Dean Lakes Mixed-Use/Business Center Hwy 169 and Cty Road 83, Shakopee, MN 4. Woodwinds Health Campus I-494 and Lake Road, Woodbury, MN 5. Opus Corporate Campus Hwy 62 (Crosstown) and Shady Oak Road, Minnetonka, MN 6. Minneapolis Green Institute 2801 21st Ave S Minneapolis, MN 7. The Waters Business Park Hwy 55 and Hwy 149 (Dodd Road) Eagan, MN 8. Carlson Business Center NE quadrant of I-394 and I-494, Plymouth, MN 9. Faribault Energy Park, 4100 Park Ave Faribault, MN 10. Airlake Industrial Park Hwy 70 (2 miles east of I-35), Lakeville, MN
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NORTHFIELD 3RD BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL PARK VISIONING CHARRETTE December 1-2, 2009 Community Resource Bank, Northfield, MN The intent of the Northfield 3rd Business and Industrial Park Visioning Charrette is to explore context and site issues, opportunities, desired outcomes and potential solutions and strategies for future business and industrial park development on each project site. What is a Charrette? A charrette is an intense, on-site, collaborative work session between the client and the project team, usually done in a very short period of time. The charrette workshop accelerates the planning process by creating an interactive environment with all major participants working together without the normal interruptions that delay communications. It provides an opportunity to achieve consensus on the worthiest approaches to the project. PURPOSE OF THE CHARRETTE The Northfield 3rd Business and Industrial Park charrette will be a collaborative planning process that harnesses the talents and energies of the planning/design team along with members from the EDA, Steering Committee, stakeholders and the community to create and support preliminary master plan concepts. The charrette workshop will occur early in the planning process and achieve the following: • • • • •
Kick start the creative planning process Explore and discuss potential master plan alternatives for the business park site(s) Capitalize on the history and knowledge of key stakeholders and members of the community Build consensus for preliminary master plan concepts Develop preliminary concept drawings, sketch plans, diagrams, design principles and strategies
CHARRETTE PLANNING ISSUES The charrette will provide the opportunity to address several important planning issues that will be incorporated into various concept plan alternatives. A preliminary list of the planning issues that may be addressed includes the following: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Design Principles Character and theme ideas Mix of land uses Adjacent land use transitions and relationships Pattern, scale and density of buildings Vehicular access and circulation Pedestrian circulation Bikeway access and connectivity Open space concepts Parking concepts Planting concepts Grading and drainage concepts Stormwater management strategies Sustainability initiatives
CHARRETTE DATES December 1 - 2, 2009 CHARRETTE LOCATION Community Resource Bank 1605 Heritage Drive Northfield, MN 55057 (507) 645-4441 CHARRETTE AGENDA Tuesday, December 1 Tuesday 8AM – 10AM
Tour project sites with Technical/Steering Committee, EDA and Stakeholders – Meet at Community Resource Bank
Tuesday 10AM – Noon
Discuss program, planning issues, themes with Steering Committee, EDA and Stakeholders
Tuesday Noon – 4PM
Work Time for Design Team
Tuesday 4PM – 6PM
Pin Up Session – Public invited At Community Resource Bank
Wednesday, December 2 Wednesday 8AM – 10AM
Discuss public comments, issues, themes with Technical/Steering Committee – Meet at Community Resource Bank
Wednesday 10AM – Noon
Work time for Design Team
Wednesday Noon – 4PM
Work time for Design Team
Wednesday 4PM – 6PM
Pin Up Session – Public invited At Community Resource Bank