City planning staff reported progress and recent amendments to the Land Development Ordinance, a consolidated update to Minot's zoning, subdivision and stormwater rules.

Brian, city staff member, recounted the ordinance process that began before his arrival and said a steering committee held 38 meetings over 20 months. He said the ordinance was adopted April 21, 2021, and that subdivision provisions were completed in 2022.

Staff listed several post-adoption tweaks the committee considers part of continuing modernization: elimination of minimum parking maximums in the M-1 light-industrial district; relaxed heavy-equipment pay-parking requirements; adjusted allowable sign area for taller buildings; added land-use categories such as dog daycare and reception halls; amendments to chain-link fence standards in commercial districts; relaxed accessory-building requirements; modernization of the nonconforming-use chapter; and adoption of parklet provisions for downtown businesses.

Alderman Paul Pittner and other committee members commended staff for responsiveness. "It takes a lot of time to do what he's done with that ordinance," one member said. Staff said they plan periodic updates and will forward a set of changes to the planning commission next month.

No formal ordinance action was taken by the committee at the Jan. 10 meeting; staff said they will continue to review and recommend targeted updates as needed.