Planning commission approves 10‑resident group home at 624 Main St. S. after neighborhood objections

The Minot Planning Commission on Wednesday approved a conditional use permit authorizing Endeavor Sober Living to operate a group home for up to 10 residents at 624 Main Street South.

The decision followed nearly two hours of public comment from neighbors who said multiple existing recovery residences and other activity in the area have already driven safety and nuisance problems, and lengthy testimony from the applicant about oversight and programming. The commission voted to approve the permit with staff-recommended conditions; the motion carried after one abstention.

Planning staff described the proposal as a group home for seven to 12 residents under the city’s code, and said the petition before the commission asked specifically for permission for up to 10 residents. Casey Diedrichsen, planning staff, summarized recommended conditions including a maximum of 10 occupants, requirements for smoke and carbon monoxide detection, egress window minimums for basement sleeping rooms and that the CUP will serve as the city license to operate and can be revoked following a show‑cause hearing. Diedrichsen said the planning commission has typically recommended that CUPs for group homes be nontransferable so that a new operator must return to the commission for approval if ownership changes.

Jonathan Lane, founder and owner of Endeavor Sober Living, told the commission his organization runs house managers on site at all times and operates a structured program tied to the Providence House treatment center two blocks away. "We're not bringing the problem here, we're bringing the solution," Lane said, adding that managers track breath tests, drug screens and program participation and that the operator receives referrals and grants to support services. Lane said he has a waiting list for placement and described the homes as long‑term recovery housing with staff on site.

Neighbors testified that the neighborhood already has multiple recovery residences, frequent police responses and other disturbances. Donovan Ziegler, who said he bought his house three years ago, said he opposed allowing 10 residents in a small single‑family house and favored keeping the cap lower. "I don't see why we need to put 10 people in there right away," Ziegler said. Resident Rob Michael described break‑ins he said occurred nearby and asked where residents should report problems; planning staff said code enforcement investigates complaints and that most enforcement is complaint‑driven.

Staff read the permit’s operational restrictions into the record: no registered sex offenders, no residents with violent criminal histories, no residents under age 18, no weapons on the property, no illegal drugs or alcohol on site, a requirement to maintain exterior property standards, and on‑street parking limited to two spaces directly adjacent to the residence. The CUP was described in staff reports as nontransferable and revocable for cause.

Assistant City Attorney Corbin Dickerson and staff advised commissioners that federal and state law limit certain regulatory actions and that enforcement paths differ between criminal contacts (police responses) and code enforcement cases, which require an administrative investigation. Diedrichsen noted that validated code violations could prompt a show‑cause hearing to revoke the permit.

The motion to approve was made and seconded by commissioners on the floor; the roll call recorded a majority in favor and at least one abstention. The permit will be issued subject to the conditions read into the record and remains subject to City of Minot building and fire code requirements.

The commission also heard a written letter from a nearby homeowner urging stricter maintenance and clearer definitions for violent criminal exclusions and asking that the operator not be allowed to park in front of nearby homes; staff said parking limits were among the conditions.

Neighbors were repeatedly advised to file code complaints through the city’s Code Enforcement office or the city’s mobile app if they observe violations so staff can investigate.

The permit decision does not change state licensing requirements for group homes or any other state approvals that may be needed for operations involving children or medical services.

The planning commission’s approval does not foreclose challenge by the public through city processes; staff said the commission can revoke the CUP after a show‑cause hearing if conditions are violated.