Planning Commission - May 5, 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, May 5, 2026.
The Planning Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Maranda Tasa, Scott Stofferahn, Art Rosenberg, Thomas Schmidt, Brett Shewey, Joseph Cecil, Amy Hass, Tyler Mohs, Paul Gleye
Absent: Michael Betlock, Tracy Jordre
Chair Tasa called the meeting to order.
Business Items:
Item A: Approve Order of Agenda
Chair Tasa noted that Item D.2 has been removed from the agenda.
Member Gleye moved the Order of Agenda be approved as amended. Second by Member Rosenberg. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item B: Minutes: Regular Meeting of April 7, 2026
Member Rosenberg moved the minutes of the April 7, 2026 Planning Commission meeting be approved. Second by Member Stofferahn. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item C: Public Hearing Items:
Item 1: Rocking Horse Farm 2nd Addition
Hearing on an application requesting a Conditional Use Permit to allow an Alternative Access Plan for shared parking in the GC, General Commercial zoning district, on Lots 2-3, Block 7, Rocking Horse Farm 2nd Addition. (Located at 4876 and 4894 Rocking Horse Circle South) (Rocking Horse Farms, LLC/Houston Engineering): APPROVED
Planner Luke Morman 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 the Conditional Use Permit for an Alternative Access Plan to allow shared parking in the GC, General Commercial zoning district on Lots 2-3, Block 7, Rocking Horse Farms 2nd Addition, be approved, as outlined within the staff report, as the proposal complies with the 2024 Growth Plan, The Standards of Section 20-0909.D of the Land Development Code, and all other applicable requirements of the Land Development Code, with the following conditions:
1. Parking spaces shall be provided on the subject properties as required by Section 20-0701 of the Land Development Code.
2. Future permits are generally consistent with the site plan and information provided in the May 5, 2026 Planning Commission packet. Changes may require review by the Planning Commission as determined by Planning staff.
Second by Member Mohs. On call of the roll Members Shewey, Gleye, Rosenberg, Cecil, Schmidt, Stofferahn, Hass, Mohs, and Tasa voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Betlock and Jordre. The motion was declared carried.
Item 2: GPK Second Addition
Hearing on an application requesting a Plat of GPK Second Addition (Minor Subdivision) a replat of Lot 1, Block 1, GPK Addition and Lot 4, Block 17 of the Replat of Lot 9, Block 15, Block 16, and Lots 2, 3, 4, and 5, Block 17, Industrial Subdivision No. 3, City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota. (Located at 1601 43rd Street North and 4201 16th Avenue North) (GPK Products, Inc./Houston Engineering): APPROVED
Planning Coordinator Donald Kress presented the staff report stating all approval criteria have been met and staff is recommending approval.
Member Hass moved the findings and recommendations of staff be accepted and approval be recommended to the City Commission of the proposed Subdivision Plat GPK Second Addition, as outlined within the staff report, as the proposal complies with the Fargo Growth Plan 2024, Sections 20-0907.B and C, and the Standards of Article 20-06 of the Land Development Code, and all other applicable requirements of the Land Development Code. Second by Member Shewey. On call of the roll Members Rosenberg, Hass, Cecil, Shewey, Mohs, Gleye, Schmidt, Stofferahn, and Tasa voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Jordre and Betlock. The motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Lake Agassiz Addition
Hearing on an application requesting a Plat of Lake Agassiz Addition (Major Subdivision) a plat of a portion of the Northeast Quarter, Section 7, Township 139 North, Range 48 West, City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota. (Located at 417 and 501 Main Avenue) (City of Fargo/Lake Agassiz Development Corporation): APPROVED
Mr. Kress presented the staff report stating all approval criteria have been met and staff is recommending approval.
Member Schmidt moved the findings and recommendations of staff be accepted and approval be recommended to the City Commission of the proposed Subdivision Plat Lake Agassiz Addition as outlined within the staff report, as the proposal complies with the Fargo Growth Plan 2024, Downtown InFocus Plan, Section 20-0907.C, and the Standards of Article 20-06 of the Land Development Code, and all other applicable requirements of the Land Development Code. Second by Member Gleye. On call of the roll Members Gleye, Schmidt, Hass, Stofferahn, Mohs, Rosenberg, Cecil, Shewey, and Tasa voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Betlock and Jordre. The motion was declared carried.
Item 4: Grafstrom Second Addition
Hearing on an application requesting a Plat of Grafstrom Second Addition (Minor Subdivision) a replat of Lots 9-12, Block 1, Grafstrom First Addition, City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota. (Located at 2103, 2131, 2145, and 5525 Verna Way North) (Just North of the Horse Park, LLC/Christianson Companies): APPROVED
Mr. Kress presented the staff report stating all approval criteria have been met and staff is recommending approval.
Member Hass moved the findings and recommendations of staff be accepted and approval be recommended to the City Commission of the proposed Subdivision Plat Grafstrom Second Addition, as outlined within the staff report, as the proposal complies with the adopted area plans, the Standards of Article 20-06, Sections 20-0907.B and C of the Land Development Code, and all other applicable requirements of the Land Development Code. Second by Member Gleye. On call of the roll Members Schmidt, Cecil, Stofferahn, Mohs, Rosenberg, Gleye, Shewey, Hass, and Tasa voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Jordre and Betlock. The motion was declared carried.
Item 5: Horizon Addition
Hearing on an application requesting a Plat of Horizon Addition (Minor Subdivision) a replat of all of Lots 1-3 and 10-12, and part of Lot 9, Block 39, and all of Block 40, and all of the vacated alleys in Blocks 39 and 40, all in Roberts’ Second Addition, City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota. (Located at 11 12th Street North) (Rising Investments, LLC/MBN Engineering): APPROVED
Mr. 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 Horizon Addition, as outlined within the staff report, as the proposal complies with the Fargo Growth Plan 2024, Downtown InFocus Plan, Sections 20-0907.B and C, the Standards of Article 20-06 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 Hass, Mohs, Shewey, Gleye, Cecil, Schmidt, Stofferahn, Rosenberg, and Tasa voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Jordre and Betlock. The motion was declared carried.
Item 6: Lenthe’s Second Addition
Hearing on an application requesting a Plat of Lenthe’s Second Addition (Minor Subdivision) a replat of Lots 1-3, Block 1, Lenthe’s First Addition, City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota. (Located at 2825, 2901, 2903, 2905, 2907, 3001, 3003, 3005, 3007, 3039, 3041, 3043, 3045, Main Avenue) (Farmer’s Union Oil Company of Moorhead, MN, d/b/a Petro Serve USA/Lowry Engineering): APPROVED
Mr. Kress presented the staff report stating all approval criteria have been met and staff is recommending approval.
Member Shewey moved the findings and recommendations of staff be accepted and approval be recommended to the City Commission of the proposed Subdivision Plat Lenthe’s Second Addition, as outlined within the staff report, as the proposal complies with the Fargo Growth Plan 2024, Sections 20-0907.B and C, the Standards of Article 20-06 of the Land Development Code, and all other applicable requirements of the Land Development Code. Second by Member Hass. On call of the roll Members Cecil, Rosenberg, Mohs, Shewey, Gleye, Hass, Stofferahn, Schmidt, and Tasa voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Jordre and Betlock. The motion was declared carried.
Item 7: Timber Parkway Twelfth Addition
Hearing on an application requesting a Plat of Timber Parkway Twelfth Addition (Minor Subdivision) a replat of Lots 6-7, Block 1, Timber Parkway Fourth Addition, to the City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota. (Located at 3360 and 3430 Jacks Way South) (PLC Investments, LLC/Smart Slides RE, LLC/Design Resource Group): APPROVED
Assistant Planner Alayna Espeseth presented the staff report stating all approval criteria have been met and staff is recommending approval.
Discussion was held on private drives and sidewalks on private drives.
Assistant Director of Planning and Development Mark Williams spoke on the Conditional Overlay that applies to this development and that it addresses private drives and pedestrian connectivity to be addressed in the future when the development finishes.
Member Schmidt moved the findings and recommendations of staff be accepted and approval be recommended to the City Commission of the proposed Subdivision Plat Timber Parkway Twelfth 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 Gleye. On call of the roll Members Mohs, Shewey, Hass, Rosenberg, Cecil, Gleye, Stofferahn, Schmidt, and Tasa voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Betlock and Jordre. The motion was declared carried.
Item 8: South Ridge First Addition
Hearing on an application requesting a Conditional Use Permit to allow an Alternative Access Plan for a parking reduction in the MR-3, Multi-Dwelling Residential zoning district, on Lot 1, Block 3, South Ridge First Addition. (Located at 2131 65th Avenue South) (BSI Fargo24 Land, LLC/Beyond Shelter, Inc.): APPROVED
Planning Coordinator Maegin Elshaug presented the staff report stating all approval criteria have been met and staff is recommending approval.
Discussion was held on if this reduction is consistent with other parking reductions.
Member Stofferahn moved the findings and recommendations of staff be accepted the Conditional Use Permit to allow an Alternative Access Plan for parking reduction in the MR-3, Multi-Dwelling Residential zoning district on Lot 1, Block 3, South Ridge First Addition, be approved, as outlined within the staff report, as the proposal complies with the 2024 Fargo Growth plan, the Standards of Section 20-0909.D (1-6) of the Land Development Code, and all other applicable requirements of the Land Development Code, with the following conditions:
1. Provide 1.5 parking spots per residential unit.
2. Future permits are generally consistent with the site plan provided in the May 5, 2026 Planning Commission packet. Changes may require review by the Planning Commission as determined by Planning staff.
Second by Member Mohs. On call of the roll Members Stofferahn, Hass, Cecil, Shewey, Schmidt, Rosenberg, Gleye, Mohs, and Tasa voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Jordre and Betlock. The motion was declared carried.
Item 9: Lost Creek First Addition
9a. Hearing on an application requesting a Zoning Change from AG, Agricultural to SR-4, Single-Dwelling Residential, SR-5, Single-Dwelling Residential, MR-3, Multi-Dwelling Residential with a C-O, Conditional Overlay, P/I, Public and Institutional, and AG, Agricultural on the proposed Lost Creek First Addition. (Located at 6685 Veterans Boulevard South and 5120 64th Avenue South) (Tones, LLC/JB Real Estate Investment, LLC/City of Fargo/EagleRidge Development):
9b. Hearing on an application requesting a Plat of Lost Creek First Addition (Major Subdivision) a plat of a portion of the Northwest Quarter Section 9, Township 138 North, Range 49 West, of the Fifth Principal Meridian, to the City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota. (Located at 6685 Veterans Boulevard South and 5120 64th Avenue South) (Tones, LLC/JB Real Estate Investment, LLC/City of Fargo/EagleRidge Development): APPROVED
Mr. Kress presented the staff report stating all approval criteria have not been met and staff is recommending denial. He noted that no AG, Agricultural zoning is included with the case, although it was advertised for, and that the applicant has provided a laydown item to the Board with further information in support of the application.
Public Works Operations Director Ben Dow, spoke on behalf of the Public Works Department and the abnormal challenges this project would face at this time regarding water and sewer, accessibility, snow removal, and emergency services. He noted the location is disconnected from current developments, resources are currently unavailable to service the area, and additional budget would be needed to fund operations.
Discussion was held on the anticipated timeline of this project and when resources would need to be available as lots wouldn’t be put on the ground right away.
Mr. Dow spoke on Public Works financing budget.
Planning and Development Director Nicole Crutchfield spoke on the challenges of orderly growth, timing, and pacing. She spoke on current budget restraints, uncertainty of revenue to pay for services, and processes.
Additional discussion was held on processes and timelines, the growth plan, growing orderly, servicing this area, that the City Commission is the approving body for the application, and not holding development back due to other land owners not wanting to develop at this time.
Ms. Crutchfield spoke on balance, and budget uncertainty.
Assistant City Engineer Nathan Boerboom, spoke on behalf of the Engineering Department and the anticipated timeline of 64th Avenue.
West Fargo Public Schools Construction Coordinator Mark Lemer, spoke noting that a building initiative to build a new elementary school was not passed by voters, and that additional elementary school space would be needed if this area grows and fills. He provided a brief overview of the 5-year plan and current capacities.
Further discussion was held on the relationships between Horace and Fargo.
Mr. Boerboom spoke on Veterans Boulevard timeline and construction noting that a MOU is a draft at this point and not being brought forward for consideration.
Applicant representative Jon Youness, Eagle Ridge Development, spoke on behalf of the application. He highlighted reasons to move forward at this time.
Discussion continued on what services and utilities would be needed for the development, current housing stock in Fargo, if the Land Development Code rewrite will affect this project, and timing.
Mr. Dow spoke on the budget and 3% cap on property taxes affecting the ability to add staff.
Ms. Crutchfield spoke on policy changes and expectations, and being in uncharted territory moving forward.
Finance Director Susan Thompson spoke on funding, property tax revenue, inflation, and services being paid for from the general fund that is capped.
Applicant representative Don Dabbert, Dabbert Custom Homes, spoke on the need for housing, the time and effort needed to put a project into motion, and gave his support of this project.
Further discussion was held on the City’s timeline to place infrastructure if this is approved, alignment with the growth plan, budget issues being City Commission concerns not Planning Commissions, the need for more housing, the role of the Planning Commission, the approval of the 64th Avenue interchange, and timing.
Member Rosenberg moved the findings and recommendations of staff be denied and approval be recommended to the City Commission of the proposed 1) Zoning Change from AG, Agricultural to SR-4, Single-Dwelling Residential, SR-5, Single-Dwelling Residential, MR-3, Multi-Dwelling Residential with a C-O, Conditional Overlay, and P/I, Public and Institutional, and 2) Subdivision Plat Lost Creek First Addition, as the proposal does comply with the Fargo Growth Plan 2024, Sections 20-0906.F (1-4) and 20-0907 of the Land Development Code. Second by Member Mohs. On call of the roll Members Shewey, Hass, Mohs, Schmidt, Cecil, Rosenberg, and Tasa voted aye. Members Gleye and Stofferahn voted nay. Absent and not voting: Members Jordre and Betlock. The motion was declared carried.
Item D: Other Items:
Item 1: Planned Unit Development Final Plan for 45th Street Park Second Addition and 45th Street Park Sixth Addition.
Ms. Elshaug presented the staff report stating all approval criteria have been met and staff is recommending approval. She provided history and updates on the Planned Unit Development.
Discussion was held clarifying the zoning of the property.
Member Gleye moved the findings and recommendations of staff be accepted and the Planned Unit Development Final Plan for the proposed Lot 4, Block 1, 45th Street Park Second Addition and Lot 1, Block 1, 45th Street Park Sixth Addition be approved as outlined within the staff report, as the proposal complies with the PUD, 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 Hass. On call of the roll Members Rosenberg, Hass, Gleye, Mohs, Shewey, Cecil, Schmidt, Stofferahn, and Tasa voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Jordre and Betlock. The motion was declared carried.
Item 2: Petition for waiver of sidewalk in Adams Fifth, Seventh, and Ninth Additions; Sanders Addition; Interstate Business Park Addition. (Thunder Road South): REMOVED FROM AGENDA
The time at adjournment was 5:03 p.m.