Fargo Planning Commission Meeting - March 5, 2024
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Fargo Planning Commission Meeting - March 5, 2024
The Fargo Planning Commission met on March 5, 2024, at 9:00 AM to consider several subdivision plats and a zoning change. All agenda items were approved unanimously, with no public testimony offered. The meeting included a discussion about the renaming of a previously approved plat due to a naming conflict and a zoning density adjustment to permit an additional townhome unit.
Consent Calendar
- Order of Agenda: Approved by voice vote. A motion was made and seconded, and the agenda was adopted unanimously.
- Minutes from February 6, 2024: Approved by voice vote without discussion.
Discussion Items
- Item 3B – Brecky's Edition (Minor Subdivision): Presented by Elena Espose. The property, owned by Habitat for Humanity, was originally proposed with a zone change but that was withdrawn after discovering it was already zoned SR4. The request was for a replat of lots 8 and 9, block 11, and the south half of the vacated alley into a three-lot subdivision. Staff received no public concerns. A commissioner asked about the rarity of zoning map errors; staff noted such errors are extremely rare. The motion to approve staff findings passed unanimously (7-0).
- Item 4 – Alex's First Edition (Major Subdivision): Presented by Donald Cress. This was the same plat previously approved as "CC's First Edition," but the Cass County Recorder's Office rejected that name because it already existed. The only change was the name to "Alex's First Edition." No zone change was proposed. The applicant, Chris Mack of Christiansen Companies, thanked the commission for cooperation. Approved unanimously (7-0).
- Item 5 – Golden Valley Fourth Edition (Zoning Change): Presented by Donald Cress. The property, a vacant lot zoned SR4, was proposed for SR5 to increase density from 10 to 11 townhome units. The lot is slightly under one acre; under SR4 the allowable density rounded down to 10 units, while SR5 would permit 11. Staff received a comment letter from an adjacent owner and several calls asking about the project, but no opposition was expressed. A commissioner asked about the density calculation. The motion to approve staff findings passed unanimously (7-0).
- Item 6 – Pines at the District Sixth Edition (Minor Subdivision): Presented by Elena Espose. The property at 5461 38th Street South is zoned Limited Commercial and no zone change was proposed. The replat would create two lots. Staff received one inquiry with no concern. A commissioner commented on the irony of naming a flat, treeless area "Pines." Motion to approve staff findings passed unanimously (7-0).
- Item 7 – NDSU Research and Technology Park 3rd Edition (Minor Subdivision): Presented by Elena Espose. The property includes several addresses near NDSU. A rugby field on site will be relocated to an undetermined location. A commissioner asked whether the property falls under city jurisdiction; staff confirmed it is not part of NDSU's institutional master plan and is subject to Fargo's zoning ordinance. Motion to approve staff findings passed unanimously (7-0).
General Discussion
- After item 5, Commissioner John (likely the chair) noted that homeowners sometimes purchase property without full knowledge of adjacent development plans. He advised prospective buyers to consult the planning department and review zoning maps and property ownership records. This was in response to a comment letter received for that item.
Key Outcomes
- All agenda items approved: Items 3B, 4, 5, 6, and 7 were each approved by unanimous roll-call votes (7-0). No items were denied or tabled. The meeting was adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
All the meeting to order. Welcome everybody. Just a quick update. Items one A and one B, and item two. There'll be no action today. These are both being continued to our April 2nd, 2024 meeting. So the commission will take no action on them today. So with that, I would take a motion to approve the order of agenda. So moved. Second. There's a motion and second. Any discussion. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed, same sign. Motion. Passes. Moving on to the minutes from our February sixth meeting. Anybody have a chance to review the minutes. We'll make a motion to accept them. Second. Thank you. Motion and a second. Any discussion. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed. Motion passes. Moving on to the public hearing items. We'll move on to item three. Um, you'll see that three A on the agenda says it's withdrawn, but there is a three B, and we'll let Elena explain that to us a little bit more. Good afternoon, Commissioners. I'm Elena Espose. And today I will be presenting agenda item three B. So it's Brecky's edition. It's a minor subdivision. As stated, the previously advertised zone change has been withdrawn. Two thirteen is this property. It is owned by Habitat of Humanity. But being the property was found to be zoned SR4 currently, the zone change was withdrawn. Currently, the zone change was withdrawn. The applicant now requests one entitlement, a replay plat of lots eight and nine, block 11, and the adjacent south half of the vacated alley of Egbert, O'Neill, and Hagart subdivision into a three-lot one block subdivision entitled Brecky's Edition. To date, staff has received no inquiries or concerns regarding the subject property. Kyle Piper from Habitat of Humanity is here. And so is Mark Miller from the water reclamation. To answer any questions that you might have. Staff's recommendation is for approval as stated in the staff report and shown on the screen. And that concludes staff's presentation.
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