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Neighbors pack meeting as Bismarck commission denies South Meadows rezoning
Summary
After more than a dozen residents testified about traffic, school overcrowding and missed notices, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted to deny a developer’s request to rezone South Meadows lots from R-10 to RM-20, leaving the existing zoning in place.
The Bismarck Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday denied a request to rezone 10 lots in the South Meadows addition from R‑10 to RM‑20 after a large turnout of nearby homeowners urged the panel to preserve the neighborhood’s existing character.
Staff recommended approval of a future land use amendment and a zoning map change that would have allowed multifamily residential development. Lauren, a planner with the Community Development Department, told commissioners the net lot area is 2.96 acres and that RM‑20 zoning allows up to 20 units per net acre under the ordinance, which would translate to roughly 59 units for the site if fully developed. Staff attached one condition tying lot modifications to recordation of the zoning change.
Dozens of nearby residents told the commission that when they purchased homes the parcels were presented as single‑family or twin‑home lots. Kendall Kautz, who said she lives two houses from the subject property, said people in the neighborhood paid “a lot of money” for their homes and are “completely against” the proposal. Adam Seifert, who said he works for the city and lives across Meridian Drive, cited the Together 2045 plan and urged the commission to require conditions if any higher density is allowed.
Speakers repeatedly raised traffic and safety concerns around Solheim Elementary, which residents said already operates with portable classrooms. Several neighborhood petitioners said they did not receive mailed notice of an earlier rezoning meeting. Holly Murphy and other neighbors asked staff to recheck notification procedures; staff explained postcards are mailed to properties within set distances and that the city is adding on‑site signage to improve outreach.
Commission discussion centered on the site’s location near the edge of the city, existing zoning history (the area previously rezoned several times, including to R‑10 in 2017) and the trade‑offs between adding housing supply and preserving neighborhood character. Commissioner Field moved to deny the zoning change and leave the zoning as is; Commissioner Larson seconded. On roll call the motion to deny passed.
The commission’s decision leaves the R‑10 designation in place and blocks the developer’s request for RM‑20 density. The matter was decided at the Planning and Zoning meeting; no appeal or additional action was recorded at the hearing.
