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Consultants outline draft land development code: downtown subdistricts, connectivity, trees and parking flexibility
Summary
Consultants and city staff presented modules of a comprehensive land development code update, emphasizing downtown subdistricts, mobility and connectivity standards, a stronger street‑tree requirement, new outdoor lighting and sensitive‑lands protections, and flexible parking standards; a consolidated draft will be posted for review.
City consultants and staff presented progress on a comprehensive update to Bismarck’s land development code at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting Sept. 24, describing module 2 (development standards) and a downtown‑focused module (1.5).
Consultants Jenny Baker (Clarion Associates) and Mary Madden described objectives to translate the Together 2045 comprehensive plan into clearer regulatory standards. Key elements highlighted include downtown subdistricts and form‑based guidance to preserve traditional downtown character; a new mobility and connectivity section that emphasizes public streets, secondary emergency access and cross‑site access; a prohibition on private streets except in exceptional circumstances; and a new focus on street trees and tree‑based landscaping requirements for new single‑family subdivisions. The team also proposed flexible parking ranges (with reductions available for bicycle spaces), modest percentages of site landscaping for multifamily/mixed‑use/commercial projects, basic outdoor‑lighting standards, and sensitive‑lands protections that include wetlands and floodplain language.
Staff said a consolidated staff draft will be released for review after internal committee reviews and that the adoption process will include additional public and advisory committee review; consultants said a consolidated public draft should appear on the city website within a week and that an adoption step is anticipated next spring. Commissioners asked about PUD reliance; consultants said the update seeks to reduce ad hoc PUDs by providing functional base districts while retaining a PUD pathway for unusual projects.
Daniel (staff) also gave an update on recently installed public notice signs for hearings: signs placed by staff use a vinyl sticker and a QR code linking directly to project pages and are mounted on weighted bases to avoid ground disturbance; commissioners discussed visibility and placement.
