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Commission endorses ordinance to add Air Force base representative as ex officio member
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to advance an ordinance that would allow a base wing commander to sit on the commission as an ex officio member; the measure will proceed to city council for final action in April.
The Grand Forks Planning and Zoning Commission voted to advance an ordinance that would amend Chapter 18 of the city land development code to allow a military base wing commander to serve as an ex officio representative on the commission.
The request before the commission would add the base wing commander as an ex officio, nonvoting representative. Ryan Brooks, planning staff, told commissioners the bill had moved through the legislative process at the state level with minor changes and that the city-level ordinance was “the request for the base wing commander to have a representative on this body as an ex officio.”
Why it matters: supporters said the measure would create a formal channel for the Grand Forks Air Force Base to participate in planning discussions that could affect its operations, while opponents did not dominate the discussion. Brooks said the state is reviewing a related measure that would take a base-by-base approach to defining an “impact zone” rather than a fixed 25-mile radius; the city measure would provide an additional avenue for base representation regardless of any state definition.
Commission discussion focused on timing and coordination with state legislation. Commissioner Mattson asked whether the city should wait for the state action; Brooks said the city could approve the ordinance and the city council could later table or delay its final action if necessary. Commissioner Budke sought clarification about how the state’s “impact zone” approach would apply to Grand Forks; Brooks said the state is looking at each base individually and that Grand Forks’ proximity would be evaluated as part of that work.
Formal action: the commission passed the motion to advance the ordinance; the item will be forwarded to the city council for final approval in April.
Next steps: the ordinance, if approved by the city council, would amend the City of Grand Forks Chapter 18 land development code to permit an ex officio representative from the base on the Planning and Zoning Commission.
