The Dickinson City Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of an amendment to the Saint Joe’s Plaza Planned Unit Development that would permit restaurants and limited retail and clarify that the parking spaces along 7th Street West within the right of way remain public parking maintained by the City of Dickinson.

City planner Natalie Burczyk told the commission the amendment (attachment A in the staff packet) would make restaurants and small-scale retail permitted uses within the PUD, and would add a provision stating the parking spaces along 7th Street West "shall remain public parking and shall be maintained by the city of Dickinson" with maintenance defined to include snow removal, pavement repairs and striping.

A property owner who spoke during the public hearing said the owner had, for years, performed cleaning, striping and snow removal after being told the parking belonged to the property. "We've been doing the cleaning, the snow removal, and the striping of those parking spaces," the owner said, and expressed concern the city may not have the resources to clear the spaces early enough for events or programs that bring large numbers of children. The owner asked for a formal agreement or memorandum of understanding to ensure timely service.

Staff responded that Public Works Director Prouse intends to send a letter to formalize expectations and that, if the applicant wishes, they may continue to provide snow-removal services for those public parking spaces. Staff also clarified that overnight parking on city right-of-way would be subject to the city’s 48-hour limit and could be reported to police for enforcement.

After the public hearing closed with no additional speakers, the commission voted to recommend approval of REZ 008 2025 (Saint Joe’s Plaza PUD amendment) subject to the changes listed in attachment A; the motion carried with ayes recorded.

What comes next: The commission’s recommendation will proceed to the body that takes final action on rezoning. Staff indicated they will meet with the property owner to walk the site and clarify responsibilities and will document the arrangement in a follow-up letter from Public Works.