By Teri Knight
Planning Commission discusses Big Box stores
The Planning Commission last week reviewed the purchase of the Gleason properties for Cannon River regional park land. They unanimously agreed that it complies with the City’s Comprehensive Plan. They also started going through the changes Planning Consultant Bill Weber proposed for the C1 and C2 Land Development Codes. One concern was a clause that left opportunity for big box stores. Weber said he was fully aware of the circumstances around Target but that was then and this is now. He added that downtown businesses don’t compete with big box, they offer different quality. Planning Commission member Jay Jasnoch commented that he doesn’t believe the numbers can support a big box store. He’s talked with movie theaters, Wallmart and Lowe’s, none of them want to pay the going rate for the land. They’d rather be near the freeway (think Target in Lakeville). He added that in ten years he wouldn’t be surprised if (Northfield’s)Target moved from town out along I-35. No decisions were made, this was for discussion purposes for now.
Dundas decides on Stormwater Ordinance
The Dundas City Council met Monday night. They passed a stormwater ordinance with a new fee structure that will go into effect July 1st. City Administrator John McCarthy said part of the ordinance is to maintain what they have. And provide for future improvements. )
For the average citizen it will likely be$3 per month, for those with developed or undeveloped acreage, it will be based on the amount you own and a formula created by the state and federal government. McCarthy says Dundas doesn’t have an issue with the river overflowing but more on how runoff gets to the river.
Bly comments on Teacher Licensure
Teacher licensure has come under scrutiny for a few years because, some educators and legislators say, good people are not able to pass it, therefore are not getting licensed. House District 20b representative David Bly said that parts of the test, such as math and english, are not in an area of expertise for some prospective teachers. It’s a basic skills test, however, it tests at the equivalent to a junior in college. For example an Arts or History student getting a teaching degree would not have studied those subjects. The other problem is that there’s no feedback so the test taker doesn’t know where they are deficient. They just have to keep taking the test over and it’s expensive. In the Education Policy committee, Bly says they’re suggesting using the ACT test. Bly says school districts are in favor of changing the testing. Another issue in Education Policy is teacher evaluations. Educators say they’re losing teachers after a few years to other careers because they’re left on their own, receiving no direction. Bly says many districts are saying the same thing although Northfield has done a good job with mentoring young teachers and could be a model.
The post Today’s top local news headlines appeared first on KYMN Radio - Northfield, MN.