Commission continues William Blackstone subdivision amid traffic and sewer questions

A large proposal known as the William Blackstone addition — an approximately 63‑acre subdivision with 118 lots, multiple zoning districts and an annexation request — was continued by the Bismarck Planning and Zoning Commission so staff, county engineers and the developer can address outstanding traffic, access and sanitary sewer issues.

City staff reported that wetland mitigation and stormwater plans have been reviewed; the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued a permit for mitigation. The applicant’s engineer and counsel (Nick Cullen and Bob Martin) answered technical questions about proposed access points on Tyler Parkway, sight distance, a required lift station and a long force main to connect to the city sewer network. Engineers said the lift station is being sized to serve the wider area and that the developer will fund initial infrastructure costs.

Residents and adjacent developers urged the commission to require a traffic operations analysis and to align new access points with existing drives where practicable. Chad Moldenhauer, a nearby developer, and multiple residents expressed safety concerns about offset T‑intersections on Tyler Parkway and urged a 57th Avenue connection be prioritized rather than long‑term reliance on temporary access.

After extended discussion commissioners voted to continue the matter to the next meeting to allow staff and the applicant to refine conditions, including possible gating of a secondary emergency access, development‑agreement language and potential down‑zoning of an RM‑30 lot if desired by the commission.

No final zoning or plat recordation was approved; the item was continued for follow‑up technical work and a future hearing.