Planning Commission - April 7, 2026 Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Planning Commissioners of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the Commission Chambers at City Hall at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
The Planning Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Maranda Tasa, Scott Stofferahn, Art Rosenberg, Thomas Schmidt, Tyler Mohs, Michael Betlock, Tracy Jordre
Absent: Amy Hass, Paul Gleye, Brett Shewey, Joseph Cecil
Chair Tasa called the meeting to order.
Chair Tasa shared that a LDC workshop will be held Thursday, April 9 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. in the Sky Commons Conference Center for a project update and an opportunity to learn more about the Land Development Code. Format will be a presentation at noon, and breakout sessions to follow.
Business Items:
Item A: Approve Order of Agenda
Member Stofferahn moved the Order of Agenda be approved as presented. Second by Member Mohs. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item B: Minutes: Regular Meeting of March 3, 2026
Member Jordre moved the minutes of the March 3, 2026 Planning Commission meeting be approved. Second by Member Betlock. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item C: Public Hearing Items
Item 1: Selkirk Place Fifth Addition
Hearing on an application requesting a Plat of Selkirk Place Fifth Addition (Minor Subdivision) a replat of Lot 11, Block 1, Selkirk Place First Addition, to the City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota. (Located at 6648 Selkirk Drive South) (Rose Creek Development Corporation/Neset Land Surveys): APPROVED
Planning Coordinator Donald Kress presented the staff report stating all approval criteria have been met and staff is recommending approval.
Member Stofferahn moved the findings and recommendations of staff be accepted and approval be recommended to the City Commission of the proposed Subdivision Plat Selkirk Place Fifth Addition, as outlined within the staff report, as the proposal complies with the Fargo Growth Plan 2024, the Standards of Article 20-06, Section 20-0907.B and C of the Land Development Code, and all other applicable requirements of the Land Development Code. Second by Member Betlock. On call of the roll Members Betlock, Rosenberg, Schmidt, Jordre, Stofferahn, Mohs, and Tasa voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Cecil, Hass, Shewey, and Gleye. The motion was declared carried.
Item 2: Simonson Companies Fifth Addition
Hearing on an application requesting a Plat of Simonson Companies Fifth Addition (Minor Subdivision) a replat of Lot 2, Block 1, Simonson Companies Fourth Addition, to the City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota. (Located at 5237 38th Street South) (Simonson Companies, LLC/Lowry Engineering): APPROVED
Planner Chelsea Levorsen presented the staff report stating all approval criteria have been met and staff is recommending approval. She noted an updated plat was provided as a laydown item.
Discussion was held on the access to the property.
Assistant City Engineer Nathan Boerboom spoke on behalf of the Engineering Department.
Member Schmidt moved the findings and recommendations of staff be accepted and approval be recommended to the City Commission of the proposed Subdivision Plat, Simonson Companies Fifth Addition, as outlined within the staff report, as the proposal complies with the Adopted Area Plan, the Standards of Article 20-06, Section 20-0907.B and C of the Land Development Code, and all other applicable requirements of the Land Development Code. Second by Member Stofferahn. On call of the roll Members Rosenberg, Betlock, Mohs, Schmidt, Jordre, Stofferahn, and Tasa voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Hass, Cecil, Shewey, and Gleye. The motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Jerstad-Thompson Second Subdivision
Hearing on an application requesting a Plat of Jerstad-Thompson Second Subdivision (Minor Subdivision) a replat of Lots 5-6, Block 3, Jerstad-Thompson First Subdivision, City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota. (Located at 2722 and 2748 44th Avenue North) (Prime Investments, LLC/Lowry Engineering): APPROVED
Assistant Planner Alayna Espeseth presented the staff report stating all approval criteria have been met and staff is recommending approval.
Member Betlock moved the findings and recommendations of staff be accepted and approval be recommended to the City Commission of the proposed Subdivision Plat, Jerstad-Thompson Second Subdivision, as outlined within the staff report, as the proposal complies with the Adopted 2024 Fargo Growth Plan, the Standards of Article 20-0907.B and C of the Land Development Code, and all other applicable requirements of the Land Development Code. Second by Member Jordre. On call of the roll Members Schmidt, Stofferahn, Mohs, Jordre, Rosenberg, Betlock, and Tasa voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Gleye, Hass, Shewey, and Cecil. The motion was declared carried.
Item 4: Reeve’s Addition
Hearing on an application requesting Conditional Use Permit to allow manufacturing and production on the GC, General Commercial zoning district on West 37 ½ feet of Lot 1 and all of Lots 2 through 9 and rear 25 feet adjacent, Block 1, and a strip 5 feet wide adjacent to the entire North side of Block 1, less the East 12 ½ feet of Lot 1, Reeve’s Addition. (Located at 610 University Drive North) (Class B Development, LLC/The Shop LLC): APPROVED
Planner Luke Morman presented the staff report stating all approval criteria have been met and staff is recommending approval. He noted a laydown item of a comment received was provided to the Board.
Member Rosenberg moved the findings and recommendations of staff be accepted and the Conditional Use Permit to allow Manufacturing and Production uses in the GC, General Commercial zoning district on the West 37 ½ feet of the Lot 1, and all of Lots 2 through 9 and rear 25 feet adjacent, Block 1, and a strip 5 feet wide adjacent to the entire North side of Block 1, less the East 12 ½ feet of Lot 1, Reeve’s Addition be approved, as outlined within the staff report, as the proposal complies with the 2024 Fargo Growth Plan, the 2021 Core Neighborhoods Plan, the Standards of Section 20-0909.D, and all other applicable requirements of the Land Development Code, with the following conditions:
1. The property shall not be used in whole or in part for storage of rubbish or debris of any kind whatsoever nor for the storage of any property or items that will cause such lot to appear untidy, unclean or unsightly as determined by the Zoning Administrator; nor shall any substance, item or material be kept on any lot that will emit foul odors, including compost sites and fertilizer.
2. All refuse containers, including dumpsters, shall be concealed from public view by opaque fence, screen wall, or building extension.
3. No outdoor storage of equipment or supplies.
4. Off-street parking, loading, and vehicular circulation areas shall have an all-weather surface, as defined by the Land Development Code.
5. The manufacturing, production, or processing of food and/or animal products or hazardous chemicals and/or materials shall not be permitted.
6. A parking lot buffer shall be installed and maintained in accordance with LDC Section 20-0705.D.3.7. Future permits are generally consistent with the site plan and information provided at the April 7, 2026 Planning Commission meeting. Changes may require review by the Planning Commission as determined by Planning staff.
8. The Conditional Use Permit shall terminate if Manufacturing and Production uses cease for a period of more than 12 consecutive months.
Second by Member Stofferahn. On call of the roll Members Schmidt, Betlock, Jordre, Stofferahn, Mohs, Rosenberg, and Tasa voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Shewey, Hass, Gleye, and Cecil. The motion was declared carried.
Item D: Other Items
Item 1: Planned Unit Development Final Plan for J & O 45th Street Apartments Addition
Planning Coordinator Maegin Elshaug presented the staff report stating all approval criteria have been met and staff is recommending approval.
Discussion was held on the timing of the installation of the cul-de-sacs.
Mr. Boerboom spoke on behalf of the Engineering Department.
Applicant Representative Brian Pattengale, Houston Engineering, spoke on behalf of the application.
Member Rosenberg moved the findings and recommendations of staff be accepted and the Planned Unit Development Final Plan for the J & O 45th Street Apartment Addition be approved, as presented, as the proposal complies with the Planned Unit Development Master Land Use Plan, Section 20-0908.D of the Land Development Code, and all other applicable requirements of the Land Development Code. Second by Member Schmidt. On call of the roll Members Jordre, Mohs, Schmidt, Betlock, Rosenberg, Stofferahn, and Tasa voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Cecil, Gleye, Hass, and Shewey. The motion was declared carried.
The time at adjournment was 3:22 p.m.