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Residents and a candidate urge preserving local zoning as "Build Act" and TIF conversation advance in Northfield
Summary
At a Northfield village meeting, residents and Dr. Dan Beer urged slowing discussion of tax-increment financing (TIF) and opposing HB5626 (the "Build Act"), warning it could preempt local zoning and raise property-tax assessments; village staff and counsel said the village is monitoring legislation and that a June 12 TIF procedural step would only set a public hearing date.
At a Northfield village meeting, Dr. Dan Beer and several residents urged the board to protect local zoning and slow any move toward a tax-increment financing district.
"It would require municipalities to allow higher density housing in areas now zoned for single-family," Dr. Dan Beer said, arguing HB5626 (referred to in testimony as the Build Act) would amount to state preemption of local zoning and could increase property tax assessments for homeowners.
Residents in public comment repeatedly asked the board to undertake broader public engagement before advancing a TIF or any major zoning change. Beverly Smith, chair of the Northfield caucus, told trustees the caucus wants time and public hearings to identify unintended consequences before any decision: "Over time changing circumstances may create significantly new perspectives and dictate markedly different approaches — prior to adopting any of these new approaches, the board should solicit the views of the caucus and the community in general," she said.
Kaio Rubenstein pointed trustees to a March 25, 2026 Civic Federation report, "Tax Increment Financing: a primer," and urged the village to host a town hall or panel so residents can weigh pros and cons. "That primer has three pages of arguments for and against TIF," he said, recommending outside speakers and consensus processes such as League of Women Voters studies.
Village staff said Northfield is coordinating with a regional coalition to monitor the Build Act and state activity. "We are working actively in that council of governments to both monitor what's happening with that act and prepare responses," Patrick said, adding the coalition expects the bill may be split into pieces rather than pass intact this month.
Legal counsel Greg Jones emphasized that the June 12 step referenced in public remarks is procedural under the statute and does not approve a TIF: "The first ... vote the board would take would be to set a public hearing date. So that doesn't approve the TIF. It simply sets apart to have a conversation before that public hearing happens," Jones said, describing the joint review board role and subsequent public steps.
No formal action to create a TIF was taken at the meeting. Trustees and staff agreed to continue monitoring the Build Act and to engage additional public outreach and explanatory sessions before moving toward any district creation.
The board approved minutes from the April 28 meeting and then continued later business on Hap Road improvements and downtown redevelopment.
