The Moorhead Planning Commission on Dec. 1 voted to recommend that the City Council approve a preliminary and final plat for the Prairie Parkway Third Edition, a replat of a 7.88-acre parcel intended to create 43 lots for single-family detached homes, twin homes and townhomes.

City Planner Houston presented the proposal on behalf of Lowry Engineering and Prairie Parkway Plaza LLC, saying the application reconfigures two mixed-use lots created in 2021 and continues development consistent with nearby parcels north of Southside Regional Park. "Staff is recommending approval," Houston told the commission and noted no public comments had been received on the item.

Commissioners asked technical questions about site access and lot layouts. Chair Beaman asked where vehicles would enter and exit the development; Houston said the design includes two access points off 38th Avenue and a looped road through the replat, and confirmed there would be no direct access from 40th Avenue. In response to a question about the four larger lots, Houston said those parcels are planned for three- to four-unit townhome buildings and that some lots could accommodate two sets of three-unit buildings.

An unidentified commissioner said, "I'm very excited to see this happen and see this growth get filled in as quickly as possible." Following that exchange, another unidentified commissioner moved that the Planning Commission recommend approval "based on the criteria noted in the packet" and contingent on items 1 through 5 listed in the staff packet; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The commission's action is a recommendation to City Council, which has final authority to approve the plat.

The developer and the project's engineer were present for technical questions. The planning commission did not record individual vote tallies in the transcript provided; the chair announced the motion carried by voice vote. The recommendation and the packet conditions will be forwarded to City Council for its consideration.