West Fargo P&Z backs Title 4 landscaping amendments, eases requirements for industrial properties in corridor overlay

The West Fargo Planning and Zoning Commission on Sept. 9 voted to recommend approval of proposed amendments to Title 4 of the municipal code that change the city’s landscaping requirements, including easing open-space landscaping demands for industrial properties located in corridor overlay districts.

Aaron Nelson, a city planner, said staff brought the changes after receiving feedback from developers of industrial property near the interstate and after reviewing a site in the Sandhills neighborhood. "What we're really making is to reclassify those what's required for different zoning districts," Nelson said, describing a new fourth classification that provides gradation and relief for industrial uses within overlay districts.

Key changes presented by staff include: adding a fourth classification to the open-space landscaping requirements so different base zoning districts have tailored obligations; reducing required open-space landscaping by roughly half for industrial properties located within a corridor overlay district; replacing a prescriptive menu of parking-lot perimeter options with a flexible requirement (15 plant units per 50 linear feet was presented as a standard to guide the change); allowing shrubs and perennials in parking-lot islands where trees are impractical; and removing buffering requirements between commercial and industrial properties so required buffers focus on protecting residential properties.

Nelson said attachments in the meeting packet included a draft ordinance, a red-line showing changes to the existing code, and the current ordinance for comparison. He told commissioners the language they reviewed would be forwarded in ordinance format to the City Commission if recommended.

Commissioners asked whether removing buffers between commercial and industrial properties could leave some commercial uses exposed to adjacent heavier industrial uses; Nelson noted screening requirements for outdoor storage and refuse areas remain in place and that conditional-use reviews provide another avenue to address potentially objectionable uses. There was no public comment during the hearing.

A motion to recommend approval was adopted on a roll-call vote. Commissioners voting yes included Commissioner Schwan, Commissioner Amann, Commissioner Wery, Commissioner Fornace, Vice Chair Thorstad, Commissioner Gust and Commissioner Copp; the motion carried. The recommended ordinance language will be forwarded to the City Commission for final consideration.