The Dickinson City Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend approval of a rezoning for Sachs Motor Company (REZ 010 2025) while striking a staff-proposed restriction that would have prohibited the property owner from using 20th Street West for future access.

City planner Natalie Burczyk told commissioners the rezoning from high-density residential (R-3) to general commercial (GC) would allow Sachs to combine adjacent lots and expand its auto-sales operation. Staff recommended approval with three conditions, including that the property not be eligible for administrative lot modification and that the owner not add access points on 20th Street West or the platted 1st Avenue West; staff said the rezoning would be contingent on approval of the associated final plat (FLP-013-2025).

Applicant representative Andrew Schrank of Highlands Engineering asked the commission to remove the access restrictions, arguing similar configurations of commercial property abutting residential areas exist elsewhere in the city and that Sachs factored road responsibilities into the purchase price. "We would ask that those 2 conditions be removed," Schrank said, adding that the owner did not intend to split the parcels in the near term.

Commissioners and staff discussed the traffic geometry where 1st Avenue West intersects 20th Street West. Staff and several commissioners said an access point very near that 90-degree intersection would conflict with the transportation master plan’s access guidelines and could create safety concerns; commissioners noted mitigations such as stop signs could be applied if an approach were added in the future.

After discussion, Commissioner S7 moved that the commission recommend approval of REZ 010 2025 and retain the staff conditions except for the specific prohibition on using 20th Street West; the motion was seconded and carried with ayes recorded.

The commission also voted to recommend approval of the related final minor plat, FLP-013-2025 (the Saks 2nd Subdivision), subject to the same modified conditions. Staff noted the FLP is required to combine lots for permitting and for the proposed reconfiguration of stormwater facilities and paved areas.

What comes next: The commission’s recommendations will go to the Dickinson City Council (or the next formal reviewing body) for final action on the rezoning and plats. The commission’s changes mean any future requests involving 20th Street West or 1st Avenue West will likely be evaluated on their merits and may require additional public hearings, but the blanket prohibition on using 20th Street West was removed.