The 1998 Comprehensive Plan for Northfield Center Township addressed the entire area of Northfield Center Township. The planning process began in October 1997 with the creation of a 31-member Citizens Advisory Committee. The committee was comprised of one Township Trustee and members of both the Zoning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals. Other members included volunteers who live, work or own businesses in the Township and who have demonstrated knowledge of and interest in the issues facing the Township. Also at that time, D. B. Hartt, Inc., Planning and Development Consultant, was retained by the Township to provide professional consulting services in the preparation of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan.

The 1998 Comprehensive Plan was recommended to the Northfield Center Township Zoning Commission by the Citizens Advisory Committee on May 5, 1998. Recommended to the Northfield Center Township Trustees for Approval by the Zoning Commission on May 27, 1998. The Plan was approved by the Township Trustees on June 6, 1998. The Plan has not been updated since it was adopted in 1998.

The Township recognizes the balance of having both a commercial and residential development in the Town Center and along the Route 82 corridor to provide small unit housing (apartments/townhouses/condos) for residents leaving their homes but desiring to stay in the area in affordable housing which will require assessing the current zoning code, reducing the amount required for occupancy permits, in order to make such a plan attractive for residents which coincides with a wide range of community interests. It is critical that the Township review its long-range plan and update/create strategies to maintain a high level of service, manage growth, and effectively establish its own identity