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Commissioners approve special‑use amendment for utility storage shop; one commissioner urges longer appeal window
Summary
The county approved a special‑use permit amendment for Base Utilities to build an equipment storage shop in Blooming Township and heard a commissioner warn the current meeting schedule shortens residents’ opportunity to appeal planning commission approvals.
Grand Forks County commissioners voted to approve a special‑use permit amendment allowing Base Utilities to build an equipment storage shop on a 4.84‑acre parcel in Section 31 of Blooming Township, and a commissioner raised concerns that the county’s rapid approval schedule reduces the public’s chance to file an appeal.
The action matters because the site lies near the intersection of County Road 3 and U.S. Highway 2 and is close to an airfield reserve area; commissioners and staff said the amendment conforms with the county land use plan and with the E‑1 General Commercial District’s special‑use criteria.
A county planner described the requested addition as a 45‑by‑145‑foot shop to provide winter vehicle storage for the applicant. Staff told the commission the site meets setbacks and the township and the nearby air base recommended approval. The county planning commission approved the amendment at its June 3 meeting; county staff recommended approval to the commission, which then moved and approved the item.
During discussion a commissioner expressed concern about the county’s joint meeting schedule. That commissioner said the planning commission’s approval at 3 p.m. followed roughly 30 minutes later by the county commission’s vote limits time for a property owner or other resident to learn of the planning action and file an appeal. The commissioner suggested returning to an earlier practice of waiting until the next county commission meeting before finalizing planning commission approvals, except in emergencies, so the public has time to review minutes and appeal if desired.
Decisions/directions: The commission approved the special‑use amendment as recommended by staff and the county planning commission. Commissioners asked staff to note the concern about appeal timing; no formal change to the county’s appeal schedule was adopted at the meeting.
Background: The planner said the property is primarily surrounded by commercial and base-related uses, sits about 1 mile north of the City of Amarillo (as stated in the packet), and falls within the county’s airfield reserve according to local land‑use plans.
