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County planners preview new zoning, subdivision and floodplain ordinances; public review to follow
Summary
Consultants from Intelliplans and Houston Engineering briefed commissioners on near-final drafts of a zoning ordinance, a subdivision ordinance and a revised floodplain ordinance that aligns with recent state law and FEMA guidance; staff urged careful review and recommended designating enforcement capacity before adoption.
Consultants working on Ramsey Countys land-use code updates gave commissioners a progress report and next steps during the Nov. 4 meeting.
Steven Zimmer of Intelliplans said the zoning ordinance draft (about 80% complete) will implement the recently approved comprehensive plan, create zoning districts (residential, commercial, industrial) and include provisions to address wind turbines, data centers and solar farms that have been emerging across North Dakota. Zimmer said the goal is to codify comprehensive-plan direction so the county is prepared if such large-scale projects are proposed.
Sam Trebelcock of Houston Engineering reviewed a proposed floodplain ordinance update and a new subdivision ordinance. Sam said recent state legislation has shifted primary floodplain authority to counties, giving counties original jurisdiction unless a township formally adopts and notifies the county of its intent to retain authority. He also described FEMA-recommended Model C (Bridal D in the packet) changes, the need to incorporate mapped and unmapped special-consideration areas and the likelihood that updated FEMA flood maps will arrive in the coming years.
Both consultants emphasized enforcement: the county should identify a code-enforcement officer for planning and zoning before adopting new ordinances. Commissioners discussed timelines, public review and the multi-step review process (planning commission, public comment, county adoption). Staff said drafts will be distributed to commissioners ahead of formal review and that review meetings would likely take about 30–45 minutes if materials are reviewed in advance.
What happens next: Consultants will finalize drafts, circulate materials to commissioners and begin the statutory review process that includes the planning commission and public notice periods.
