[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6295818,"mediaKeyId","2519731-8e1336a4579c7cfa503f719d8a6d4c2d","parentId",2519731,"title","Planning staff propose major rewrite of nonconforming rules to allow repairs, discourage expansion","audioSeconds",962,"startMs",1513000,"endMs",2475000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2519731-8e1336a4579c7cfa503f719d8a6d4c2d&start=1513&end=2475","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2519731-8e1336a4579c7cfa503f719d8a6d4c2d/thumbnail_1513000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6295818/Grand-Forks/Grand-Forks-County/North-Dakota/Planning-staff-propose-major-rewrite-of-nonconforming-rules-to-allow-repairs-discourage-expansion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6295818-72f8bba97ee8a6f0eab44b73858c53fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775434327&Signature=h8X4a-liaXiXkBZ-17dsM8bcVnKX1MF46kBSlwbr5mexgApZF8VU7zgF3Fva7TJXcSMVBC4E2yeUKthwEGpPRMGRnI-ZOqlkI-kSYLBw73BpJmk2uYU1yDF~6MMp223o9lCt4piHkQWcYhrgdK33GOc64C3tMtLtyAKH1yUtzLRc7jXwuLWehvT~ujCtybxqc9nP7eThMUUTIHHEzLjZP9gPOHhIeCv0VGK7mxOCRQWacZbnziDm~3GTwQLkNV3rAq5MohSX3uIa~Vq72LEGyl96~NOq6wepLgqtrD5qC6wPpyilwBXa70VKBKPN-OgtTDvXUYSCknDQOkfcaQCv6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Grand Forks, ND","date","2025-03-05T00:00:00Z","article","Planning staff presented a comprehensive rewrite of the Land Development Code’s nonconforming provisions on March 5, proposing changes intended to allow safety repairs and routine rebuilding while limiting expansions of nonconforming uses.

Why it matters: The proposed code changes affect long‑established small lots and nonconforming businesses and structures in older corridors. Staff said the current code — last fully overhauled in 1987 — prevents routine repairs, includes an amortization schedule that staff recommends removing, and has produced unclear administrative outcomes for owners, lenders and insurers.

Key proposals and thresholds. Staff proposed:
- Allowing routine repairs and maintenance to preserve safety and habitability rather than forcing demolition.
- Removing the amortization clause (which staff said could require a city purchase of property and has been the subject of lawsuits in other jurisdictions).
- Recognizing legally platted small lots established before the 1987 code so they can be sold without an administrative delay, instead of forcing owners into a variance process.
- Distinguishing nonconforming uses from nonconforming structures: nonconforming uses could not expand and could be discontinued after 18 months of vacancy; nonconforming structures that are allowable uses could be rebuilt in place if they meet health and safety codes and do not increase intensity, subject to limits described in the draft (examples: not larger, not taller, not increasing parking impacts).
- For commercial and industrial nonconformities, if damage exceeds 50% (per the draft), reconstruction would be required to meet current standards; staff proposed that residential nonconformities be allowed to rebuild in place to limit displacement (staff tied this to pending HB 1500 at the state level).

Examples and concerns. Commissioners used local examples to probe impacts. The Red Pepper restaurant — located in a residential district — was discussed as a case study: under the proposed draft, the business could not expand and, if damaged more than 50%, would not be permitted to rebuild in its current use without a zoning change. Staff said the city would work with affected property owners on options, including rezoning, conditional uses, or PUD amendments, and that proposed code changes are intended to make routine financing and insurance simpler by clarifying status in code rather than relying on ad hoc administrative approvals.

Requests for follow up and process. Staff asked for guidance from the commission on several points, including an enforceability question about a proposed provision that would count adjacent lots under single ownership as one for zoning purposes; staff said the city attorney would be asked for an opinion on enforceability. Commissioners asked staff to form a subcommittee to review residential corridor cases and property lists before staff sends notices to owners; staff identified 43 single‑family properties the city flagged as potentially affected on corridors such as Gateway Drive, North and South Washington and parts of Demers Avenue.

Subcommittee and next steps. Commissioners agreed to a three‑member subcommittee (Commissioners Eichert, Budkey and Holt volunteered) to review the residential nonconforming parcel list and to refine draft code language. Staff said changes and city attorney feedback will return to the full commission before any notices to property owners and prior to final ordinance action.

Ending

Staff requested direction on whether to bring the consolidated draft forward for preliminary action; commissioners asked that the subcommittee review the draft and return recommended language and procedures before preliminary or final action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Grand Forks City Planning and Zoning Commission March 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City planning staff presented a rewrite of nonconforming use, lot and structure rules in Chapter 18 intended to allow safe repairs, remove amortization provisions and clarify when nonconforming properties must transition to current zoning. Commissioners asked for a subcommittee to review residential corridor cases.","taxTitle","Grand Forks, Grand Forks County, North Dakota","taxId",3815,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6295823,"Commission gives preliminary approval to add Grand Forks Air Force Base representative to planning commission",923,445000,1368000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2519731-8e1336a4579c7cfa503f719d8a6d4c2d&start=445&end=1368","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2519731-8e1336a4579c7cfa503f719d8a6d4c2d/thumbnail_445000.jpg","/articles/6295823/Grand-Forks/Grand-Forks-County/North-Dakota/Commission-gives-preliminary-approval-to-add-Grand-Forks-Air-Force-Base-representative-to-planning-commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6295823-1d71a767beab6252f7bcf3535cd42ee2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775434327&Signature=Q8OuhP5bXR99UuiiOx2bgyESMR0tGeQlL7IYB9iONXpoKBI2bCgUgOL~LMXuIO9p6OR-4yFKkX-tEyfUHOjGfr6CLuhAegDvHbkvMY03GL~nh4Jfr8~QLe2c9DMfbenLoAWuBM1IReytaqJCAIQd08EWgno1gyh8xlXBVIECAm66ntsh0IYSNRDx2b9kikub9OhKJ7-hDxnbAREj0SowT-zZnfheGf~p8uRXxpWRWiKWs85ILHrwQFpqFBdq~aDSglnFIGzRS~yGgidF-v~D7DRuKRPIrqA9rrhMqvIAp22XtoVMYM6nl8NIIJihcsUxHgV4hI5MvrO-ySCxayRPdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Forks Planning and Zoning Commission gave preliminary approval on March 5 to a text amendment to Chapter 18 of the Land Development Code to add the Grand Forks Air Force Base wing commander — or the commander’s designee — as an ex officio (nonvoting) member of the commission.

Why it matters: Commission members said the change is intended to give the base a formal channel to receive notice and ask questions about development that could affect base operations, an idea that staff said emerged from recent North Dakota legislation and testimony. Commissioners asked staff to confirm the base’s interest and to return with that information at the final hearing.

What staff said. Mr. Brooks, planning staff, described the amendment as responding to state legislative activity, including Senate Bill 2398, that sought to give military installations a formal voice in local development reviews. Brooks said the city council authorized the text change to be forwarded to the planning commission for preliminary consideration and that staff drafted the amendment to mirror an existing ex officio role (the city engineer). He said the city will seek to confirm whether the wing commander supports a seat before the final reading.

Questions and concerns. Commissioners raised procedural and scope questions. Commissioner Budkey asked whether the Air Force had requested the seat; Brooks said he had not yet confirmed that with the base but would do so before the final hearing. Some commissioners warned that a state panel could, in its earlier draft, have encompassed a broad radius and effectively delayed local development; others said regular presence at meetings would improve coordination and reduce surprises.

Motion and next steps. Commissioner Eichert moved preliminary approval; Commissioner Sandy seconded. The commission approved the motion. Staff will confirm the base commander’s awareness and willingness to serve or designate a designee and return to the commission at final reading.

Ending

Staff noted the text amendment will return for final action after staff follow up; the amendment does not itself change zoning rules or authorize any specific development.","Planning staff proposed a text amendment to Chapter 18 to add the Grand Forks Air Force Base wing commander or designee as an ex officio member of the Planning and Zoning Commission; commissioners gave preliminary approval and asked staff to confirm the base’s interest before final vote.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":80,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6295827,"Votes at a glance: Planning and Zoning Commission, March 5, 2025",984,384000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2519731-8e1336a4579c7cfa503f719d8a6d4c2d&start=384&end=1368","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2519731-8e1336a4579c7cfa503f719d8a6d4c2d/thumbnail_384000.jpg","/articles/6295827/Grand-Forks/Grand-Forks-County/North-Dakota/Votes-at-a-glance-Planning-and-Zoning-Commission-March-5-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6295827-c0b323bb10ffad6fc9b33ea0c82cacd6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775434327&Signature=MBgMnatBWhKRBNhuISCti4gSiO3Q4OVRTptPddK5xBNUFtzJipn9jIb9htjL004hA6gnLYYTlNjJEDe~nx0cz99APLUQwNh3aQn2bUrfUh418vrIeSCQLr8eixnSDCkloc4q-4pXqRVQyYH37LRXDm~CwCCxlEicCB4y9Uh77tEhH3z~QxPtlMC~dgB-WZ2rt0JPtqOQvJZQWGnrTz-pdhOwHhkcNYS1iPQgEOldpQ7AxnTWi5hyzKTAr8Wr4X29FH3pV-DB21W1WwepzFjsByMYMVXxlRu9Pbbt8wpQOFMSLxNYdoCPwnL2gqYxGqADtb2sRGcV1BXyc1Mp8Fi7jQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Minutes approved. The Grand Forks Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve the minutes of its February 2025 meeting.

Plata of Corenta Lem 73 Subdivision (1910 North 50 Second Street). The commission approved a final plat and street/highway ordinance dedication to enlarge Lot 1 for a pond. The motion was moved by Commissioner Eichert and seconded by Commissioner Mattson. The transcript records the outcome as “Three‑one carries.”

Rezoning: Lot A, Block 51, Alexander And Ives Addition (1027 North Fifth Street). The commission approved an ordinance rezoning a parcel from B‑3 to R‑4 to align the property with the Near North neighborhood and to allow financing and sale of the existing single‑family house. Staff recommended approval. The motion was moved by Commissioner Eichert and seconded by Commissioner Budkey. The transcript records the outcome as “3‑2 passes.”

Preliminary approval — Chapter 18 amendment on commission membership. The commission gave preliminary approval to a text amendment amending Grand Forks Chapter 18, Land Development Code, section 18‑0101 to add the Grand Forks Air Force Base wing commander (or designee) as an ex officio member of the Planning and Zoning Commission. The motion was moved by Commissioner Eichert and seconded by Commissioner Sandy; the transcript records the motion as passing (tally not specified).

Notes on procedure and tallies. Where the transcript gave a numeric tally, that tally is shown above. Where the recording indicates only that the motion passed without a numeric count, the tally is recorded as “not specified.”

Ending

All items above come from the public record of the March 5, 2025 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting transcript.","The commission approved minutes, a subdivision plat and a rezoning request; it also gave preliminary approval to a text amendment on commission membership. Movers, seconds and vote counts are listed as recorded in the March 5 transcript.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning staff propose major rewrite of nonconforming rules to allow repairs, discourage expansion

Commission gives preliminary approval to add Grand Forks Air Force Base representative to planning commission

Votes at a glance: Planning and Zoning Commission, March 5, 2025