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Commission stops existing annexation and reinitiates process for Section 35 property
Summary
After staff said required owner notices were not completed within the statutory window, the commission voted to stop the current annexation of property in Section 35 (Harwood Township) and reinitiate the annexation with full notice to all owners.
The Fargo City Commission voted to stop a previously initiated annexation of land described as the southeast quarter and east half of the southwest quarter of Section 35, Township 141 North, range 49 West (Cass County), and to reinitiate the annexation so that all property owners can be properly notified. City staff told the commission the earlier proceedings had missed a seven‑day notice requirement to multiple owners and that the legally correct remedy was to adopt a new resolution and begin notices again.
Jim Gilmore (city staff) summarized prior actions: one parcel had been withdrawn and annexed into Harwood, another parcel remained in mediation, and the third (the Section 35 parcel addressed that night) required restarting because staff had not notified seven different owners within the required timeframe. Gilmore said staff had attempted to notify the primary owner but, because other owners were not properly notified within the seven‑day statutory window, the city attorney recommended stopping and reinitiating the annexation so notices can be served by certified mail.
Commissioners discussed whether the matter could be continued to allow further contact efforts rather than restarting the process; staff advised statutory notice requirements left reinitiation as the appropriate path. The commission divided the question, approved stopping the previous annexation, and then approved reinitiating the annexation. The record shows at least one commissioner recorded a 'no' vote on the reinitiation.
If property owners file protests after the new notices, the commission said it will consider next steps at that time.
The action resets the annexation timeline while providing a fresh, documented notice process to all owners.
