Historic Preservation Commission approves reconstruction at 728 1st Street North after unpermitted demolition

FARGO — The Historic Preservation Commission on Jan. 20, 2025, voted to approve plans to construct a two‑story house at 728 1st Street North in the Oak Grove historic overlay after the previous cross‑gabled house — built about 1900 — was demolished before the project appeared before the commission.

Megan Elsaug of the planning department told commissioners the application before them was for a primary structure at 728 1st Street North and said the packet included a memo from building official Sean Aradnick. Elsaug said the applicant intends a two‑story house similar to the prior structure but confirmed the applicant will pour new footings and foundation; setbacks required by the SR‑3 zoning district will be enforced at the permitting stage. "Before you today is an application for construction of a primary structure at 728 1st Street North," Elsaug said.

Applicant Jody Callius of GWP Commercial LLC told the commission the demolition was not intentional. "Our intention was never to demolish the house to begin with," Callius said, explaining crews and inspectors concluded the exterior was unsafe once interior work began. Callius said the project started as an interior remodel but escalated after crews opened interior walls and found significant deterioration. She told the commission the rebuild aims to keep the original footprint and dimensions where feasible and that the only substantive exterior change proposed is the removal of dormers to reduce ice damming.

Building official Sean Aradnick described the permitting and inspection sequence as a miscommunication. He said inspectors handling the remodel did not always review GIS or overlay layers for every interior‑remodel permit and thus did not realize the property was in the Oak Grove historic overlay. "He didn't realize that there was an overlay district here," Aradnick said, noting his department has initiated training and process reviews after the incident.

Commissioners asked technical questions about whether a new foundation would change the house dimensions and whether site utilities and the existing slab would be reused. The applicant said the site has been cleared except for concrete slab and utilities, that an old brick foundation will be replaced with poured concrete footings, and that minor setback adjustments may be required to meet city requirements.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (packet lists date as 11/18/2025 — appears to be a typographical error in the packet): Motion to approve moved by a commissioner and approved by voice vote (vote details not specified in the transcript).

- Approval of reconstruction plan for 728 1st Street North: Motion to approve "as presented" was made by a commissioner and seconded by another commissioner; the chair called for ayes and the motion was approved by voice vote. The transcript does not list a roll‑call tally.

Why it matters

Historic overlay reviews are intended to give the preservation commission a chance to weigh in on changes to character‑defining structures and nearby infill. In this case, the commission did not review work before the original structure was removed. Planning staff and the building official described changes to inspection and permit‑routing procedures and training intended to prevent similar oversights.

What happens next

Staff will verify foundation and setback compliance at permitting. The applicant said the project will proceed to building permits and that the proposed elevations and materials are in the commission packet. The commission adjourned and set its next meeting for Feb. 17, 2026.

(Quotes and actions above are taken from the Jan. 20, 2025 meeting transcript.)