Neighbors oppose R1→R2 rezoning on Heart River Fourth; commission tables request for further review

The City of Dickinson Planning and Zoning Commission opened public comment Oct. 8 on REZ‑007‑2025, a proposal to rezone Lots 32–36, Block 1 of the Heart River Fourth Subdivision (about 1.13 acres) from low‑density residential (R1) to medium‑density residential (R2). After multiple neighbors voiced opposition, the commission voted to table the request to the next meeting so staff and the applicant could provide additional information and meet with residents.

Natalie Burczyk, city planner, summarized the application and told the commission the rezoning “is to allow for the construction of 4‑unit multifamily residential buildings” and that the applicant planned four buildings of four units each—“so it would be 16 total units.” Burczyk also said staff had received a letter from Wayne and Mary Edsero raising traffic concerns and that any cold‑storage buildings would be limited to serving the apartment complex and could not be built before residences.

Several residents spoke in opposition. Kevin Prouse, a nearby resident, presented a signed petition and said the street is a school route and “there's a lot of traffic there” and that neighbors feared loss of backyard access and declining property values. Ryan Fisher, who lives across the street, said he regularly sees 15–20 children walking and described repeated speeding; he said runoff from more paving was also a concern. Brian Koskovich said the only practical access in and out for the parcel would remain Seventh Street Southwest and that area residents have experienced frequent speeding there for decades. Presley Krebs, a homeowner on one of the affected lots, said she moved in two months ago and believed Second Avenue (a platted but undeveloped street) provides backyard access; Burczyk clarified the avenue is platted and would be developed as part of a development agreement if approved.

Commission discussion focused on neighbors' concerns, historical rezoning records, parking requirements and the need for a development agreement to extend Second Avenue Southwest as public right‑of‑way. Burczyk said easement vacation between Lots 34–36 is requested to reconfigure lot lines. Commissioners and staff agreed more information was needed and that asking the applicant to meet neighbors, develop a draft development agreement and provide additional site layout and historical‑rezoning records was reasonable. A commissioner made a motion to table the application to the next meeting; the motion carried.

Next steps: staff will research historical records referenced by neighbors and work with the applicant on a development agreement and neighborhood outreach; the rezoning will return to the commission at the next scheduled meeting.