County consultant outlines proposed rewrite of Mercer County zoning chapters; battery storage and short‑term rentals discussed

Mark Kaffer of Donovan & Kaffar, PLLP presented a scope of work and recommended revisions to the Mercer County Planning Commission on April 17, outlining a proposed full rewrite of Chapters 1–3 of the county zoning ordinance.

Kaffer said he and colleagues examined ordinances from other counties — including Stark, McKenzie, Burleigh, Morton and Ward — and out‑of‑state special ordinances addressing topics such as data centers and battery storage. He told the commission the team is aiming for a rewrite of Chapters 1–3 to be completed in early June and emphasized producing an easy‑to‑follow document with a clear table of contents.

The commission discussed items outside the consultant’s current scope, including the comprehensive land use plan, the fee schedule and building permits. Commissioners and the consultant noted that fee schedules vary widely across North Dakota and that research will be needed to set appropriate local fees.

Commissioners also spent time on several substantive ordinance topics: standards for battery storage facilities, placing the stormwater management plan in its own section of the code, and brief discussion of short‑term rentals (referred to in the minutes as “Air B&B’s”). Secretary Jen Neumiller asked whether campgrounds should be separated from mobile home regulations after a zoning case raised the issue last summer; Kaffer said he would see what he could do to accommodate that distinction.

No formal action on the rewrite scope was recorded; the meeting concluded with an adjournment at 7:52 p.m.