[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,87,98],{"_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",6557339,"mediaKeyId","3300903-c033850e1c171ac0084249a17faabb49","parentId",3300903,"title","Open house set May 21 for West Fargo growth area master plan","audioSeconds",114,"startMs",1810000,"endMs",1924000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3300903-c033850e1c171ac0084249a17faabb49&start=1810&end=1924","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3300903-c033850e1c171ac0084249a17faabb49/thumbnail_1810000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6557339/West-Fargo/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Open-house-set-May-21-for-West-Fargo-growth-area-master-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557339-f20e4e6b8a5f78fd720aec045d340db6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773285231&Signature=YrPuuPwM98YrV44KB7oHAGk7VEhfEfguCplgbdVA3S30wTE90YuLQDnW0NQ6Lxkt-WFtf3W0BWC8a4SUIwB16apd2v6fCBQ980G4yK5X6vYwiyim-KfsRpNIs1O04ToGmTXIBM3pPoX67moZxcIWgQW7jYdJV1u1h6tzsiXX1jbqnCmMolVTmsB5Bf6W9WDL7wTNbPKXqy1pbCLWX9qsG3LLFE0xPH3EvP9DVHdQ1b1766kzrk0ONX2CrwRrjYVR~jKT1RW1F-XSAFQnE4j8LGHeE66h5zndmDz9IOiADd8djxxoupkg7mG-nor2Je4lRVZ7rU0SSVPThU5exnbRZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of West Fargo, ND","date","2025-05-14T12:06:11Z","article","City planning staff announced a public open house for the West Fargo growth area master plan. The open house is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 21 in the City Hall chambers.

Planning staff said the event is the project’s first open house and will solicit public input on broad ideas and priorities. A project flyer and a QR code linking to the project web page were included in the meeting packet; staff said the project web page will be updated with more material over the coming weeks and will include an online input option for those who cannot attend in person.

A commissioner noted this is an early-stage outreach event and urged residents not to expect detailed plans at the session: staff reiterated the open house is intended to gather initial feedback that will inform the plan as it develops.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of West Fargo Planning & Zoning Meeting 05/13/2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff announced a public open house for the West Fargo growth area master plan from 5–7 p.m. Wednesday, May 21 in the City Hall chambers and noted the project is in early stages with online input options to follow.","taxTitle","West Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota","taxId",50876,"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},6557343,"Commission backs zoning change tightening riverbank variance process for Cheyenne Corridor",633,861000,1494000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3300903-c033850e1c171ac0084249a17faabb49&start=861&end=1494","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3300903-c033850e1c171ac0084249a17faabb49/thumbnail_861000.jpg","/articles/6557343/West-Fargo/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Commission-backs-zoning-change-tightening-riverbank-variance-process-for-Cheyenne-Corridor","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557343-abb6649eb302129aa4ce7ed33b1c89a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773285231&Signature=n0aUgHqWE1E2xNg0udGI-YkwUY1CDG0PARrG~O1NWwtGKPwphDuHRG1u8~hYX0FMTP1Wq5dkLkjRsCN~WTHAUCHFRrGJHNGmU8oAM4Qsd1fpg9hmBF6j-dZxezv9XRedpUr85TwKL0rKNFxgNUIO8RBrJK9Kwt1dONzBdsMBfpYsglsme6RnIbdPr7x~LnRYTyoUfpjsi8IExpem3XNkvJV0TVacnDsPmoTq129Wf3nAg32x1qG32EdJEUoECiC2UxHk-oefTRu2Pg48VPF7Onvxfc~jvAwVwtjAV9l2sdQ4aVO5YSt1tfcWoONzjMcAKOaHVHMhkzJgXrGxdRx7RQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Fargo Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of a zoning ordinance amendment to Title 4 that revises the Cheyenne River Corridor Overlay (COSR) building control line and the variance process.

Planning staff member Aaron explained the proposal to remove a historic provision that allowed applicants to submit a soils analysis to request an encroachment up to 50 feet inside the 100-foot building control line. Under the proposed amendment, the building control line would be treated like any other dimensional standard; applicants seeking relief would apply for a standard variance and must meet the ordinance’s four variance criteria. Aaron said the city would also retain the requirement that a soils analysis prepared by a registered engineer be submitted for any variance seeking encroachment toward the riverbank.

Aaron described the overlay’s purpose: “to protect the Cheyenne River Corridor from encroachment of development activities, both to protect the river corridor as well as to protect those structures that are in proximity to the river, from riverbank erosion or sloughing.” He said staff and engineering revised the ordinance language after a request from the Southeast Cass Water Resource District to make the variance process more restrictive.

Commission debate focused on whether parking lots should be allowed as a limited exception inside the building control line. Aaron said the current redline proposed allowing certain low-impact improvements—“small sheds, ... decks, fences, paved surfaces”—but noted possible inconsistency in how parking lots were treated. Commissioner Eric Dodds said he preferred to remove parking lots from the exceptions and require a full variance. \"I would maybe prefer to take that out of the exceptions paragraph and leave it as a requirement to get a variance if you wanna put a parking lot, you know, closer than a hundred feet,\" Dodds said. Commissioner Steve moved to strike the parking-lot exception; Commissioner Mike Thorsted seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote and the overall amendment recommendation carried as presented.

Staff told commissioners the change does not eliminate a variance pathway but makes it harder to obtain: applicants must now satisfy the four standard variance criteria in addition to providing soils engineering when seeking encroachment. No members of the public spoke at the public hearing.

The commission will forward its recommendation to the city commission for final action.","The commission voted to recommend an amendment to Title 4 to treat the Cheyenne River Corridor building control line as a standard setback, require variance criteria plus soils analysis for variances, and remove a parking-lot exception from allowable encroachments.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":79,"_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},6557348,"Commission recommends approval of Halverson’s Industrial Park subdivision",142,719000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3300903-c033850e1c171ac0084249a17faabb49&start=719&end=861","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3300903-c033850e1c171ac0084249a17faabb49/thumbnail_719000.jpg","/articles/6557348/West-Fargo/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Commission-recommends-approval-of-Halversons-Industrial-Park-subdivision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557348-ae9261fea10f30da54c65fc9d9c7f994/orig.mp4?Expires=1773285231&Signature=ldekBExq7nUsJGc4fieox3N2hVhRndwKXxFaCOIBQ59vOPoacMQoxkdfu0YpCzlhCz7JukP2inOGcUdX5uKWLhb4m5D11julonxHg-pghDtcCvaL9m8cnt75iv-ngr6y4gy1v8RnLnasrWdnG2-7evuxU1V3XkLWCBtQZLU0Wodcp5pxS70VKj8vx-6eb0fKRvWpTWkZ~H9qoXfeFGwJPBpHOzHn2x3Jn3gk1aTmjjY0hgIhapEj8rwLgQNTcPnerbRP3qANkQVatMGxIDmyyPnb4SLZ8KwGOT8nwzxGOOQdolKseD~upqQnNbwCDJDmLT7WKLLZPMslvrrzRzlyPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Fargo Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend approval of a major subdivision for Halverson’s Industrial Park (Halverson's Industrial Park Sixth Edition) at 1154 Third Avenue Northwest.

Staff member Lisa told commissioners the application seeks to subdivide one lot into three. “The applicant intends to develop Lot 2, which is along the southwest corner of the proposed development with shop space, similar to what has been developed to the west,” Lisa said. Lisa also explained that access will be via a private north–south access easement to connect to Twelfth Street West or Northwest and an east–west easement to reach Lots 2 and 3, and that Third Avenue is unimproved and will not be improved as part of this application.

The commission opened the item as a public hearing; staff said the applicant was available but no members of the public spoke. A motion to recommend approval was made and seconded; commissioners voted by voice and the motion passed.

No conditions or amendments were recorded in the meeting transcript; staff and the applicant remain available for follow-up prior to city commission consideration.","The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of a major subdivision at 1154 Third Avenue NW to split one lot into three; the applicant plans shop space on Lot 2 and access will be via private easements because Third Avenue is unimproved.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6557353,"Planning commission elects Eric Dodds chair, Mike Thorsted vice chair",149,31000,180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3300903-c033850e1c171ac0084249a17faabb49&start=31&end=180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3300903-c033850e1c171ac0084249a17faabb49/thumbnail_31000.jpg","/articles/6557353/West-Fargo/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Planning-commission-elects-Eric-Dodds-chair-Mike-Thorsted-vice-chair","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557353-67b8e3cf6b419880d04276f7f27b0421/orig.mp4?Expires=1773285231&Signature=ABlXKmo~RQwxY54ZbeMzCRv9ku4MI4TYpBKm3JSUc8YsbPs1Flo6f-Ax2HIsdiiFKny7x-ARIQsNErkTdS2O7O9kmHDzqMTBHgrYS1tFiiVn5onS0pmePz7~zGyrI87TKVVXxt4P3QvbGnut3V7WwV3PYpaIV4H8-LNizmKGzSJlSBvNzGCW2cHImEmqTEh7BblPjnhuzzfFNyk1th1Z00eY094sSa3C20wiULzo8KALWH4U8AMchfQ5kYa79g-N8qyxbiQzthKrg059lcAcLnGmCbVlnr~ONcO06oLCEkaKbHaCl4BTGobuOeO0XM4owWk9USNoZzMtzk9VhXFMrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Fargo Planning and Zoning Commission elected Commissioner Eric Dodds as chair and Commissioner Mike Thorsted as vice chair during its regular meeting, adopting the nominations by voice vote and roll call.

The election followed a motion to appoint Dodds and Thorsted. Commissioners answered a roll-call confirmation with votes recorded as “yes/aye” for Commissioner Amin, Commissioner Shawan, Commissioner Weary, Commissioner Gust, Commissioner Thorsted, Commissioner Copp and Commissioner Dodds.

The commission briefly discussed Dodds’ near-term availability. “I committed to spending 2 weeks a month in Idaho for, a period of time to help get the, sort of kick the doors open,” Dodds said, explaining he will participate remotely while his company opens a Boise office. He said he will coordinate with the vice chair and other commissioners if remote attendance continues to be an issue.

After the vote, Dodds thanked the commission and indicated he expects to adjust travel to attend future meetings in person. The commission chair role will shift immediately; Vice Chair Thorsted agreed to help run meetings in person while Dodds participates remotely when necessary.

The election took place early in the meeting after approval of the agenda and minutes.","West Fargo Planning and Zoning Commission voted to elect Eric Dodds as chair and Mike Thorsted as vice chair; Dodds said he will attend remotely in the near term while opening a business office in Idaho and will coordinate with the vice chair.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Open house set May 21 for West Fargo growth area master plan

Commission backs zoning change tightening riverbank variance process for Cheyenne Corridor

Commission recommends approval of Halverson’s Industrial Park subdivision

Planning commission elects Eric Dodds chair, Mike Thorsted vice chair