Council tables Kwik Trip rezoning after neighbors raise truck-stop concerns; ad hoc committee named

Fergus Falls City Council on Dec. 1, 2025, postponed consideration of a rezoning request for 1397 South Tower Road after residents urged the council to protect adjacent neighborhoods from a potential truck‑stop style travel center proposed by Kwik Trip.

Planning staff told the council the parcel was annexed in 2015 and that both B2 and B3 districts permit a travel‑center use by right; the planning commission recommended B3 because it allows a broader range of future development. Clara Beck, city planning, said the applicant and property owner were present and that written neighbor comments had been added to the record after a technology issue delayed their filing to the planning commission.

Residents living adjacent to the site described how a high‑intensity travel center could affect backyards and small businesses. "A truck stop is not appropriate," Ramona Heitman said, adding that semi‑truck idling, increased light and noise would harm gardens, small agriculture operations and property values. Christine Ugurud, another nearby homeowner, told the council that the scale of the proposal — more pumps and diesel lanes than a neighborhood gas station — would create 24‑hour activity out of scale with surrounding homes.

Alexander Keeler, who identified himself as a truck driver and neighbor, urged the council to apply planning standards and the city’s comprehensive plan rather than rezoning based on a private project. Lynette Brennan said notices had been sent incorrectly and asked the council to table the matter so neighbors could be fully informed and staff could address outstanding concerns.

Dean George, the Kwik Trip representative, said his company generally seeks sites near interstate interchanges and does not target lots directly abutting residential yards. He said the company could look at a smaller footprint and fewer diesel stalls, but that certain levels of diesel activity might be needed for the site to work economically. "It's not a goal of mine to seek out parcels adjacent to residential property like this," George said, and offered to discuss scaled alternatives.

Council members expressed a mix of support for economic development and concern for neighbors. Several members urged crafting a local definition of "travel center" so future proposals could be reviewed under a conditional‑use framework. The council moved to table the rezoning and appointed Council members Mortensen and Kremier to an ad hoc negotiating committee to work with Kwik Trip on revised site parameters and to seek a short extension of the city's 60‑day review timeline if needed.

Next steps: the ad hoc committee will meet with Kwik Trip representatives to explore alternatives (smaller footprint, reduced overnight diesel parking, screening and hours) and report back to the council. The council also discussed the option of amending the zoning code to allow travel centers by conditional use rather than up‑zoning from RA to B3 without conditions.