West Fargo City Commission Meeting - October 6, 2025

The West Fargo City Commission met on Monday, October 6, 2025, at 7:00 PM (assumed evening) to discuss and vote on several agenda items, including a rezoning and subdivision request for Hope Lutheran Church, a landscaping ordinance amendment, a business incentive, and improvement districts. The meeting featured significant public engagement on the Hope Lutheran project, with four residents speaking during public comment. Commission President Dartis presided, with Commissioners Anderson, Olson, Zondell, and Jorgensen present (Jorgensen recused himself from voting on the Hope Lutheran item due to a property conflict). The meeting included a roll call, approval of previous minutes, a consent agenda, and multiple votes.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: Motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Jorgensen, passed unanimously.
• Approval of Minutes (September 22, 2025): Motion by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Zondell, passed unanimously.
• Building Permits: Commissioner Jorgensen recused himself. Motion by Commissioner Zondell, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, passed unanimously.
• Consent Agenda (Bills and Games of Chance for United Way of Cass-Clay): Motion by Commissioner Jorgensen, seconded by Commissioner Olson, passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

Four individuals spoke during public comment, all concerning the proposed Hope Lutheran Church development:

• Joby Lichblau (134 17th Avenue East, West Fargo, Hope Lutheran Church Council President): Expressed support for the project, stating that Hope Lutheran has followed all city processes and commissioned a traffic study that concluded the existing roadway system can accommodate the church. He highlighted that for most days of the week, the church would generate less daily traffic than if the area were developed as single-family residential. He respectfully requested a yes vote.
• Brian Berg (135 Northwood Crest Drive, Fargo, Project Architect): Addressed concerns about weddings and funerals, stating that historical data shows infrequent events (e.g., West Campus had one wedding and one funeral in 2025). He argued that even large events would have minimal traffic impact, and the traffic study confirms that residential development would generate more traffic on most days except Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings.
• Joshua Cronk (926 Ashley Drive, West Fargo): Opposed the full-access driveway on 6th Street, citing the traffic study's page 9, which shows that 6th Street would experience notable increases compared to residential development. He noted the parking lot would hold over 400 vehicles, comparable to a commercial parking ramp, and that city utilities for the original site were approved on September 15, suggesting the original location should be reconsidered. He requested a restriction on 6th Street access.
• Mike Meshewski (6th Street West, West Fargo): Strongly opposed the full-access driveway on 6th Street, arguing the traffic study's 16% usage estimate is too low and could double or triple. He highlighted pedestrian safety risks for children walking to Legacy Elementary, noting no sidewalks, flashing beacons, or speed bumps on 6th Street. He also criticized the study for ignoring special events and not performing a detailed intersection operation study. He requested removal of the 6th Street access point.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing and First Reading of A25-21 (Landscaping Ordinance Amendment): Presented by Aaron Nelson, Planning Director. The amendment modifies landscaping standards for industrial properties along the interstate, reducing requirements and increasing flexibility. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval. No public comments for or against were made. The commission approved the first reading (motion by Commissioner Zondell, seconded by Commissioner Anderson) with a unanimous voice vote.
• Hope Lutheran Edition (A24-32) - Subdivision and Rezoning: This item, tabled from August 4, 2025, was brought back for second reading and final plat approval. A traffic study by Bolton & Menk was completed and included in the packet. The study concluded the existing roadway can accommodate traffic with minimal impact, recommending a turn lane on 9th Street and pedestrian crossing signage. During discussion, Commissioner Olson raised concerns about 6th Street access safety. Commissioner Zondell questioned the 16% traffic distribution estimate for 6th Street. Mike Bittner (Bolton & Menk) explained the methodology and noted that even if the estimate were higher (e.g., 33%), the roadway capacity would not be exceeded, but pedestrian conflicts could increase. Commissioner Jorgensen recused himself due to a property conflict. A motion to approve second reading and final plat initially failed due to lack of a second. After further discussion, Commissioner Anderson made a motion to approve with a condition that 6th Street access be withheld until the area to the east is platted, with a development agreement allowing future requests. The motion passed 3-1 (Commissioner Jorgensen recused; his vote recorded as