Planning commission recommends rezoning 1397 South Tower Road to B3, advancing Kwik Trip proposal

The Fergus Falls Planning Commission voted to recommend rezoning 1397 South Tower Road from Residential Agricultural (RA) to B3 (general business), forwarding the application to the Fergus Falls City Council for consideration at its Dec. 1 meeting.

The commission opened a public hearing after a staff report from Clara Beck, who said the land was annexed into the city around 2015 and remains zoned RA. Beck said the staff recommendation favored B3 as a flexible district for potential commercial development near Interstate 94, while noting a B2 district exists across the street and could also be appropriate.

Neighbors speaking during the public-comment period urged the commission to deny the rezoning or limit it to B2. Ramona Heitman of 1261 South Tower Road, who said she is an air-quality engineer by training, read prepared remarks opposing the change and listing health and environmental concerns. “I am opposed to the rezoning of 1397 South Tower Road,” Heitman said, warning of volatile organic compounds from…