Mandan City Commission Meeting – April 27, 2026

The Mandan City Commission convened on April 27, 2026, to consider five agenda items: a setback variance, two preliminary and final plats, and two preliminary plats with zone changes. Four items were approved unanimously; one item was tabled for further discussion regarding fire code compliance and connectivity.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (February 23, 2026) – Motion by Commissioner Renner, second by Commissioner Infeld; unanimous approval (9-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 3 (Lakewood Commercial Park 7th Edition) – Land and Iler (engineer for applicant) answered commissioner questions about drainage and lot shapes; no public opposition was voiced.
• Note: Staff reported receiving one written comment in opposition to future multi-use shops, but no oral testimony was presented.
• Item 4 (School District 8th Edition) – A Balmer (engineer for applicant) explained the plat’s purpose to consolidate school property for sale and to separate park land. Carlin Peterman Turner (resident across 7th Street) expressed concerns about traffic congestion, potential apartment density exacerbating existing drug and low-income issues, and noted that house foundations are sinking due to the wetland area. She requested that public input be allowed again at the final plat stage.
• Item 5 (Kital’s South Heart Terrace 5th Edition) – A Balmer provided history of prior approvals (2013, 2021, 2022) with a cul-de-sac. Mike Liffrig (landowner) argued that the new fire‑access requirement was introduced only after Clover Grove’s involvement, that he purchased the land relying on previously approved plans, and that a steep (8–10% grade) road is impractical and economically unviable. Residents Justin Glosser and Renee Lafferty (Cobblestone Loop) stated that a new road would devalue their properties and destroy views; Glosser’s house had already been hit by a truck on Cobblestone Loop. They urged the commission to approve the plat as previously recorded.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 – Setback Variance (Lot 6, Block 1, Nicola Second Edition) – Dave Vios (Interim Planner) presented a request to reduce the front yard setback from 15 feet to 12 feet to fit a manufactured home and avoid encroaching on utilities. The minimum variance needed was identified. No public comment. Motion by Chair Robinson, second by Commissioner Mutter. Unanimous approval (9-0).
• Item 2 – Final Plat (1884 Edition) – Staff reported the preliminary plat had been conditionally approved in February 2026; the final plat meets all technical requirements. No zone change. No public comment. Motion by Commissioner Mutter, second by Commissioner Gardner. Unanimous approval (9-0).
• Item 3 – Preliminary Plat (Lakewood Commercial Park 7th Edition) – The applicant proposes to combine and replot lots to develop vacant land and increase existing lots. City Engineer Jared clarified that the plat includes a large drainage area on Lot 1. The future land use plan designates the area as high-density residential. Staff recommended approval. No public testimony. Motion by Commissioner Infeld, second by Commissioner Renner. Unanimous approval (9-0).
• Item 4 – Preliminary Plat and Zone Change (School District 8th Edition) – Staff changed its recommendation from denial to approval after last‑minute information. The plat deviates from the 2023 Placemaking Plan by omitting the westward extension of 8th Street. Zone changes to CA (Lot 2, Block 3) and CC (various lots) are requested to match existing public recreation uses (skate park, Brave Center, ASA). Commissioners questioned connectivity, buffer zones, and the appropriateness of CC zoning near R‑7. The applicant’s engineer indicated openness to restricted CC or RM zoning. A roundabout at 9th Street and 9th Avenue was discussed as a condition. Motion by Commissioner Mutter to approve with the condition that a roundabout be included at 9th and 9th, second by Commissioner Infeld. Unanimous approval (9-0).
• Item 5 – Preliminary Plat and Zone Change (Kital’s South Heart Terrace 5th Edition) – Commissioner Gardner recused himself. Staff and the City Engineer presented concerns: the plat lacks east‑west connectivity to Clover Grove and does not meet the International Fire Code’s remoteness requirement for secondary access. The maximum diagonal dimension of the area to be served is approximately 2,700–2,900 feet, requiring access points at least half that distance apart; the existing 1,200‑foot separation falls short. The developer’s engineer cited prior approvals and argued that other municipalities measure from major intersections rather than property corners. Extensive discussion followed on where to measure the diagonal and whether a steep (8–10% grade) connector road is feasible or would be used by fire apparatus. Mike Liffrig stated he would not agree to such a road. Motion to table the item (to allow the Fire Chief to attend and clarify code interpretation) by Commissioner Mutter, second by Commissioner Renner. Unanimous approval (9-0) to table.

Key Outcomes

• Variance (Item 1) – Approved unanimously. Front yard setback reduced from 15 to 12 feet for Lot 6, Block 1, Nicola Second Edition.
• Final Plat (Item 2) – Approved unanimously. Final plat for 1884 Edition (27.84 acres, 8 lots) recorded.
• Preliminary Plat (Item 3) – Approved unanimously. Lakewood Commercial Park 7th Edition (2.9 acres, 6 lots) preliminary plat approved.
• Preliminary Plat & Zone Change (Item 4) – Approved unanimously with condition that a roundabout be provided at the intersection of 9th Street and 9th Avenue. School District 8th Edition preliminary plat and zone changes (CA and CC) approved.
• Preliminary Plat & Zone Change (Item 5) – Tabled to allow the Fire Chief to provide input on the fire code remoteness calculation and to explore options for east‑west connectivity. The item will be considered at a later meeting (tentatively May 27, 2026).