The final outcome of last night’s public hearing at City Hall regarding Chapati was an action by the City Council to table the discussion until its July 12 meeting. A 45 minute presentation by City Staff was followed by an hour of public comment. Chapati owners Norman Butler and Dianne Burry and their attorney, John Fossum, detailed their reasons for requesting a zoning change for 1001 Division Street. This was followed by a number of citizens both speaking both for and against the requested change.

The Council decided on a 4-2 vote that they needed more time and more information about this issue before making a decision. I believe this was a wise move and will allow for more discussion about not only the nature of the specific intersection of Woodley and Division, but the implications of this topic for the future of downtown Northfield.