The Fargo City Commission met on Monday, March 18, 2024, at 5:00 PM in the Commission Chambers. The meeting included a consent agenda, public comments, public hearings on several zoning and subdivision proposals, a PILOT application, presentations on the Growth Plan 2024, Sanford Ambulance’s annual review, and the Police Department’s 2023 annual report. Key votes included approving a controversial industrial-commercial development over neighborhood opposition and a property tax exemption for Border States Industries’ distribution center.
Staff presented a replat of 16 lots to 20 lots, widening the right-of-way from 70 to 74 feet to improve snow storage and on-street parking. Developer John Eunice said the goal is to create more affordable single-family homes ($275,000–$325,000). The Planning Commission recommended approval. Commissioner Strand asked about fire safety; Fire Chief confirmed 4-foot side yard setbacks are common. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
This controversial project (previously denied September 2023) proposes changing land use from residential/park to industrial/commercial and rezoning agricultural and limited industrial to limited industrial/general commercial with conditional overlays. Developer Trent Duda noted modifications: lot nine changed from LI to GC, added berm and trees, and removed concrete crushing. Opponents from Prairie Estates and Riley’s Acres presented petitions (265 residents polled, 54% oppose LI); cited potential 25% property value decrease, health concerns from fugitive dust, and inconsistency with the growth plan. Supporters argued the project is adequately buffered (closest LI lot ~968 feet from residences) and will generate significant tax revenue (estimated $875,000–$1.4M). Planning Commission recommended 7-0. After discussion, Commissioner Strand opposed, stating the city should be a good neighbor and that the project lacks alignment with the growth plan. The motion passed 4-1 (Strand nay). The first reading of the rezoning ordinance also passed 4-1.
A three-lot commercial subdivision on vacant land. No zone change proposed. Developer Tanner Brandt had no specific tenant plans. The motion passed unanimously.
Border States proposes a 350,000 sq ft distribution center (investment ~$46M) creating 60 jobs. They requested a 100% 10-year property tax exemption due to high special assessments on the site. Economic development officials noted competition from other locations. Staff recommended approval, scoring the project at 145. The Commission expressed concern about high special assessments but supported the project. Motion passed unanimously.
Pete Lombardi presented core concepts: “guide rails for yes” (by-right development), context-sensitive expectations via an urban-rural transect, a growth grid for greenfield areas, and growth centers for infill. A full draft will be released for stakeholder review in early April. No formal action taken.
Senior Director Tim Meyer reported 16,000 911 calls in Fargo in 2023, with average response times under six minutes for time-critical cases. Cardiac arrest survival rate exceeded national average (9.5% vs 9.3%). Fentanyl overdoses rising; paramedic recruitment remains challenging through a new paramedic academy. The report was received and filed.
Chief David Zibolski highlighted a 126% increase in fentanyl pill seizures (nearly 86,000 pills), 31 fatal overdoses (up 29%), yet violent crime and burglary decreased. Clearance rates improved. The department hired a civilian wellness coordinator and continues diversity recruitment. The report was received and filed.
We'll call the meeting to order. We'll begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. I invite you to join us. Congratulations to the party. Roll call. Coal Pack. Here. Pepcorn. Here. Preston. Here. Strand. Here. Mahoney. Here. Assessor's office. Homeowners have till March 31st to apply for five hundred dollars to save five hundred dollars on next year's property taxes. To apply or for more information, visit North Dakota Tax Department website. Inspections. The inspections department will be going through code adoption this year. This process happens every three years and will include the following international codes. Building, residential, fuel, gas, mechanical, electric conservation, existing buildings, property maintenance. Later this year, the changes to the codes will be presented to the Board of Appeals for approval and then submitted to the mayor and city council for final revisions and passage. Library. So a motion to prove the art of agenda. So second. Movement second. Any discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carried. So there are a motion to approve the minutes of the March 4th regular meeting and the March 5th special meeting. So moved. There are a second. Second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carried. So a motion to approve the consent agenda items one through 42. So moved. Is there a second? Second. Roll call vote, please. Cold Pack. Aye. Preston. Aye. Pepcorn. Aye. Strand?