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Commission gives preliminary approval to add Grand Forks Air Force Base representative to planning commission
Summary
Planning staff proposed a text amendment to Chapter 18 to add the Grand Forks Air Force Base wing commander or designee as an ex officio member of the Planning and Zoning Commission; commissioners gave preliminary approval and asked staff to confirm the base’s interest before final vote.
The Grand Forks Planning and Zoning Commission gave preliminary approval on March 5 to a text amendment to Chapter 18 of the Land Development Code to add the Grand Forks Air Force Base wing commander — or the commander’s designee — as an ex officio (nonvoting) member of the commission.
Why it matters: Commission members said the change is intended to give the base a formal channel to receive notice and ask questions about development that could affect base operations, an idea that staff said emerged from recent North Dakota legislation and testimony. Commissioners asked staff to confirm the base’s interest and to return with that information at the final hearing.
What staff said. Mr. Brooks, planning staff, described the amendment as responding to state legislative activity, including Senate Bill 2398, that sought to give military installations a formal voice in local development reviews. Brooks said the city council authorized the text change to be forwarded to the planning commission for preliminary consideration and that staff drafted the amendment to mirror an existing ex officio role (the city engineer). He said the city will seek to confirm whether the wing commander supports a seat before the final reading.
Questions and concerns. Commissioners raised procedural and scope questions. Commissioner Budkey asked whether the Air Force had requested the seat; Brooks said he had not yet confirmed that with the base but would do so before the final hearing. Some commissioners warned that a state panel could, in its earlier draft, have encompassed a broad radius and effectively delayed local development; others said regular presence at meetings would improve coordination and reduce surprises.
Motion and next steps. Commissioner Eichert moved preliminary approval; Commissioner Sandy seconded. The commission approved the motion. Staff will confirm the base commander’s awareness and willingness to serve or designate a designee and return to the commission at final reading.
Ending
Staff noted the text amendment will return for final action after staff follow up; the amendment does not itself change zoning rules or authorize any specific development.
