Planning Commission - September 1, 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, September 1, 2026.
The Planning Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Scott Stofferahn, Art Rosenberg, Thomas Schmidt, Joseph Cecil, Amy Hass, Daniel Sundberg, Paul Gleye, Michael Betlock, Tracy Jordre
Absent: Maranda Tasa, Brett Shewey
Chair Rosenberg called the meeting to order.
Business Items:
Item A: Approve Order of Agenda
Member Gleye moved the Order of Agenda be approved as presented. Second by Member Stofferahn. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item B: Minutes: Regular Meeting of August 4, 2026
Member Stofferahn moved the minutes of the August 4, 2026 Planning Commission meeting be approved. Second by Member Hass. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item C: Public Hearing Items:
Item 1: Back 40 Addition
1a. Continued hearing on an application requesting a Zoning Change from AG, Agricultural to GC, General Commercial with a C-O, Conditional Overlay, LC, Limited Commercial with a C-O, Conditional Overlay, MR-3, Multi-Dwelling Residential with a C-O, Conditional Overlay, and P/I, Public and Institutional on the proposed Back 40 Addition. (Located at 3720 and 3734 64th Avenue South and 6711 and 6801 38th Street South) (Back 40, LLP/Goldmark Design and Development/City of Fargo): APPROVED
1b. Continued hearing on an application requesting a Plat of Back 40 Addition (Major Subdivision) a plat of a portion of the Northeast Quarter of Section 10, Township 138 North, Range 49 West, of the Fifth Principal Meridian, Cass County, North Dakota. (Located at 3720 and 3734 64th Avenue South and 6711 and 6801 38th Street South) (Back 40, LLP/Goldmark Design and Development/City of Fargo): APPROVED
A Hearing had been set for July 7, 2026. At the July 7, 2026 meeting, the Hearing was continued to August 4, 2026. At the August 4, 2026 meeting, the Hearing was continued to this date and time.
Planning Coordinator Maegin Elshaug presented the staff report stating all approval criteria have been met and staff is recommending approval with contingency.
Discussion was held on the intersections at 64th Avenue and the Conditional Overlay.
Applicant representative Nate Vollmuth, Goldmark Design and Development, spoke on behalf of the application.
Additional discussion was held on the limited commercial lots and the residential lots.
Member Gleye moved the findings are recommendations of staff be accepted and approval be recommended to the City Commission of the proposed 1) Zone Change from AG, Agricultural to GC, General Commercial with a C-O, Conditional Overlay, LC, Limited Commercial with a C-O, Conditional Overlay, MR-3, Multi-Dwelling Residential with a C-O, Conditional Overlay, and P/I, Public and Institutional, and 2) Subdivision Plat Back 40 Addition, as outlined within the staff report, as the proposal complies with the Fargo Growth Plan 2024, the Standards of Article 20-06, Section 20-0906.F (1-4), and Section 20-0907 of the Land Development Code, and all other applicable requirements of the Land Development Code, contingent on the approval of the proposed Covey Ranch Third Addition zone change, subdivision and annexation, recordation of the plat, and securing of the necessary development infrastructure. Second by Member Stofferahn. On call of the roll Members Gleye, Betlock, Cecil, Schmidt, Jordre, Stofferahn, Hass, Sundberg, and Rosenberg voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Tasa and Shewey. The motion was declared carried.
Item 2: Village West Fifth Addition
2a. Hearing on an application requesting a Zoning Change from MR-3, Multi-Dwelling Residential and GC, General Commercial to GC, General Commercial on Lot 1, Block 1 of the proposed Village West Fifth Addition. (4357 13th Avenue South) (Cheyenne Estates ND, LLC/PL&V, LLC/Horizon Real Estate Group. LLC): APPROVED
2b. Hearing on an application requesting a Plat of Village West Fifth Addition (Minor Subdivision) a replat of all of Lots 1-3, 6-8, and a portion of Lots 4 and 5, Block B, Replat of Part of Village West Second Addition, to the City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota. (4357 13th Avenue South; 1034, 1104, 1112, 1204 44th Street South; 1011, 1033, 1103, 1203, and 1211 43 ½ Street South) (Cheyenne Estates ND, LLC/PL&V, LLC/Horizon Real Estate Group. LLC): 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 1) Zone Change from Mr-3, Multi-Dwelling Residential and GC, General Commercial to GC, General Commercial on Lot 1, Block 1, of the proposed Village West Fifth Addition, and 2) Subdivision Plat Village West 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, Section 20-0906.F (1-4) 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, Betlock, Hass, Cecil, Sundberg, Gleye, Jordre, Stofferahn, and Rosenberg voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Tasa and Shewey. The motion was declared carried.
Item 3: South Haven Third Addition
Hearing on an application requesting a Plat of South Haven Third Addition (Minor Subdivision) a replat of Lots 6-9, Block 1, South Haven Second Addition, to the City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota. (Located at 2549, 2581, 2603 and 2641 65th Avenue South) (Stanley L. Ryland and Patricia J. Ryland/Houston Engineering, Inc.): APPROVED
Mr. Kress presented the staff report stating all approval criteria have been met and staff is recommending approval.
Discussion was held on sidewalk location, the lot design, snow removal, and driveway locations.
Applicant representative Jimmy Tehan, Krueger Construction, spoke on behalf of the application.
Member Jordre moved the findings and recommendations of staff be accepted and approval be recommended to the City Commission of the proposed Subdivision Plat South Haven Third Addition, as outlined within the staff report, as the proposal complies with the Fargo Growth Plan 2024, 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 Betlock. On call of the roll Members Gleye, Schmidt, Hass, Stofferahn, Sundberg, Jordre, Betlock, Cecil, and Rosenberg voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Tasa and Shewey. The motion was declared carried.
Item 4: Urban Plains Medical Park Third Addition
4a. Hearing on an application requesting a Conditional Use Permit for an Alternative Access Plan on the proposed Urban Plains Medical Park Third Addition. (Located at 4767 and 4845 30th Avenue South) (Urban Plains Land Company, LLC/Houston Engineering):
4b. Hearing on an application requesting a Zoning Change from LC, Limited Commercial with a C-O, Conditional Overlay to MR-3, Multi-Dwelling Residential with a C-O, Conditional Overlay on the proposed Urban Plains Medical Park Third Addition. (Located at 4767 and 4845 30th Avenue South) (Urban Plains Land Company, LLC/Houston Engineering): APPROVED
4c. Hearing on an application requesting a Plat of Urban Plains Medical Park Third Addition (Minor Subdivision) a replat of Lot 5, Block 1, Urban Plains Medical Park Addition, and Lot 1, Block 1, Urban Plains Medical Park Second Addition, to the City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota. (Located at 4767 and 4845 30th Avenue South) (Urban Plains Land Company, LLC/Houston Engineering): APPROVED
Planner Chelsea Levorsen presented the staff report stating all approval criteria have been met and staff is recommending approval.
Discussion was held on parking.
Applicant representative Brian Pattengale, Houston Engineering, spoke on behalf of application.
Member Schmidt moved the findings and recommendations of staff be accepted and approval be recommended to the City Commission of the proposed 1) Zone Change from LC, Limited Commercial with a C-O, Conditional Overlay to MR-3, Multi-Dwelling Residential with a C-O, Conditional Overlay, and 2) Subdivision Plat Urban Plains Medical Park Third Addition, as outlined within the staff report, as the proposal complies with the Fargo Growth Plan 2024. Standards of Article 20-06, Section 20-0907.B and C and Section 20-0906.F (1-4) of the Land Development Code and all other applicable requirements of the Land Development Code, and that the findings and recommendations of staff accepted and the Conditional Use Permit for an Alternative Access Plan for a parking reduction, be approved as outlined within the staff report, as the proposal complies with 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. A minimum parking ratio of 2 parking spaces per unit shall be provided.
2. Accessory garage structures shall not provide more than 20 parking spaces.
3. Bicycle storage facilities shall be provided.
4. Future permits are generally consistent with the site plan provided in the September 2026 Planning Commission packet.
Second by Member Gleye. On call of the roll Members Cecil, Betlock, Jordre, Sundberg, Stofferahn, Schmidt, Gleye, Hass, and Rosenberg voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Tasa and Shewey. The motion was declared carried.
Item 5: Christianson 32nd Avenue South Fourth Addition
Hearing on an application requesting a Zoning Change from GC, General Commercial with a C-O, Conditional Overlay, to GC, General Commercial with a C-O, Conditional Overlay on Christianson 32nd Avenue South Fourth Addition. (Located at 3102 and 3150 36th Street South) (Christianson Properties, LLC): APPROVED
Planner Luke Morman presented the staff report stating all approval criteria have been met and staff is recommending approval.
Discussion was held on sidewalk location.
Member Betlock moved the findings and recommendations of staff be accepted and approval be recommended to the City Commission of the proposed Zone Change from GC, General Commercial with a C-O, Conditional Overlay to GC, General Commercial with a C-O, Conditional Overlay, as outlined within the staff report, as the proposal complies with the Fargo Growth Plan 2024, Section 20-0908.F (1-4) 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 Jordre, Hass, Sundberg, Gleye, Cecil, Schmidt, Betlock, Stofferahn, and Rosenberg voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Tasa and Shewey. The motion was declared carried.
Item D: Other Items:
Item 1: Annexation of approximately 49.78 acres of a portion of the Northeast Quarter of Section 10, Township 138 North, Range 49 West, of the Fifth Principal Meridian, Cass County, North Dakota. APPROVED
Ms. Elshaug presented the staff report stating all approval criteria have been met and staff is recommending approval with contingency.
Member Gleye moved to accept the findings and recommendations of staff and find that the proposed annexation of a portion of the Northeast quarter of Section 10, Township 138 North, Range 48 West, of the 5th Principal Meridian, Cass County, North Dakota to be consistent with the Fargo Growth Plan 2024, contingent on the approval of the proposed Covey Ranch Third Addition zone change, subdivision and annexation, recordation of the plats, and securing of the necessary development infrastructure. Second by Member Stofferahn. On call of the roll Members Cecil, Sundberg, Betlock, Gleye, Hass, Stofferahn, Jordre, Schmidt, and Rosenberg voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Tasa and Shewey. The motion was declared carried.
Item 2: Land Development Code Update
Planning and Development Director Nicole Crutchfield provided a brief overview of the Land Development Code update meetings that occurred last week, and thanked members for attending. She provided an overview of next steps and noted the consultants would be returning at the end of October.
Planning and Development Assistant Director Mark Williams spoke on the topics of the meetings.
Discussion was held on case studies going through the draft code, working through details, doing things the right way, and moving forward.
Item 3: Staff Updates
Ms. Crutchfield shared that Covey Ranch Third Addition will be on the September 14 City Commission agenda.
The time at adjournment was 3:57 p.m.