Advisory committee recommends public zoning for Missouri Valley Complex and seeks phased planning budget

An advisory committee for the Missouri Valley Complex voted to recommend that the Burleigh County Commission consider changing the complex's zoning from a planned-unit development (PUD) to public ("P") zoning and requested a phased cost estimate from Swenson Hagen to inform budgeting and possible reserve use.

Jason Petrissian of Swenson Hagen, introduced at the meeting as the consultant working with Commissioner Sherwin Munson, presented a three-phase approach for turning the fairgrounds into a coordinated campus. "My name is Jason Petrissian with Swenson Hagen, and we have been working with Commissioner Munson on the steps that it would take to ... produce a new pair of grounds facility," Petrissian said in his opening remarks. He described Phase 1 as stakeholder and work-session meetings to develop a shared vision; Phase 2 as technical work (zoning, platting, stormwater and utility analysis); and Phase 3 as infrastructure and site development.

The committee focused discussion on whether to keep the existing PUD framework or move to public zoning. Committee members and the consultant said public zoning could permit a campus-style layout with shared easements, fewer perimeter lot setbacks, and development agreements that set operating conditions for the complex's many users (motocross, 4-H, equestrian, Buckstop Junction, etc.). As Petrissian explained, converting to a single public zoning designation could reduce repetitive lot setbacks and allow shared parking and utility arrangements that are harder to achieve under a PUD built as multiple individual lots.

A committee member moved "that we recommend to the Burley County Commission that we change the zoning for the Missouri Valley Complex to public." The motion received a second and passed by voice vote; the committee chair said the recommendation will be forwarded to the county commission for its consideration. The transcript records the motion language and the voice vote; individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the meeting minutes.

Budget timing shaped the group's next steps. Petrissian told the committee he would provide a written proposal and phased ballpark figures to Commissioner Munson "this week" so the commissioner could include Phase 1 in his budget if feasible. Committee members discussed funding options: placing Phase 1 in this year's budget, asking the Burleigh County Commission to release funds, or using the Missouri Valley Complex reserve account or interest earnings. Participants referenced prior master plans (including 2017 and earlier drafts) and urged that Swenson Hagen review existing documents to avoid duplicating earlier work.

The committee asked staff to provide clearer financial detail on the Missouri Valley Complex fund (current balance, interest earned, and prior withdrawals) and to invite user groups to the next meeting to present needs and spatial requirements. The committee scheduled follow-up discussion and materials for its next meeting and adjourned after setting a June meeting date.

What happens next: Swenson Hagen will deliver a phased proposal and cost estimates for Phase 1 (stakeholder sessions and concept work) so the commissioner can decide whether to include the work in this year's budget or request reserve/interest funds. The advisory committee will forward its formal recommendation on zoning to the Burleigh County Commission for consideration.

Note on names and transcript wording: the committee's formal motion as recorded in the transcript uses the name "Burley County." The committee and staff materials consistently refer to the county government that oversees the complex; this article uses the authoritative local spelling "Burleigh County" for the governing body and county name.