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Commission approves 40 Sixth Avenue Industrial Park plat, zoning change and related annexation
Summary
The Fargo Planning Commission approved a multi-lot plat and rezoning to create the 40 Sixth Avenue Industrial Park, granted a subdivision block-length waiver for large industrial lots, and recommended annexation of a 49.91-acre parcel into the city.
The Fargo Planning Commission on June 3 approved the plat and preliminary zoning plan for the 40 Sixth Avenue Industrial Park, including rezoning several large lots to LI (Limited Industrial) and granting a block-length subdivision waiver appropriate for the industrial context. Commissioners also recommended city annexation for a 49.91-acre parcel that will be included in the project.
Planning staff member Donald Kress presented the proposal and mapped the project area, noting surrounding features including sewage lagoons, Fortieth Avenue North and an Amazon facility used earlier in the meeting as locators for other cases. Kress said lots in the new industrial park are large—some up to about 30 acres—and staff and the applicant agreed to rezone Lot 1, Block 1 and Lots 1 and 2, Block 2 to LI at this time while other lots remain in AG until future development requires rezoning.
Kress explained the commission was asked to consider a subdivision waiver because the block length exceeds the Land Development Code (maximum ~1/4 mile). He said the waiver standards in the packet support approval in an industrial area with limited pedestrian connectivity and existing street continuity: "This is an industrial area. These are large lots... We can support the waiver of the block length for a situation like this." The applicant’s engineer, Andrew Thill of Lowry Engineering, was available to answer questions.
Separately, the commission also recorded a staff-initiated annexation item for approximately 49.91 acres that will become part of Lot 1 as approved in the plat; Donald Kress said the property is currently farmed, is outside city limits, and the annexation was filed to bring the parcel into the city in conjunction with the plat. The annexation appeared on the commission’s consent path and the commission found it consistent with the Fargo Growth Plan 2024.
Decisions and outcomes: The commission voted to accept staff findings and approved the plat, the zoning plan for the specified lots, and the block-length waiver. The annexation was approved by roll call and will proceed to the city commission for final action where required. Staff noted sidewalks and a larger shared-use path will be provided along streets serving the industrial park, and that large lots are being preserved to accommodate sizable future users.
