Mercer County Planning Commission approves rezoning for storage-unit development pending water-board sign-off

The Mercer County Planning Commission on Feb. 20 approved an application from Glenn Murray to rezone a 12.67-acre parcel about 13 miles north of Beulah from agricultural to commercial, authorizing construction of 30 12-by-30 storage units while requiring Murray to obtain water-board approval before the project proceeds.

Murray told the commission the proposed development would sit in the SW4NW4 of Section 16, T146N R87W of the 5th Principal Meridian and that the access approach has been approved by the North Dakota Department of Transportation. He said the pad plan was revised to 60 by 200 feet from an originally submitted 30 by 400 feet, the units would have power, and there would be some outdoor parking and storage on the site. Murray also said he plans to install a security fence and cameras.

Chairman Mike Eslinger raised drainage concerns during the discussion and the commission requested that Murray obtain approval from the appropriate water board. Commissioner Jesse Schiferl cautioned that seeking that approval could delay the project. Commissioner Rick Bauman moved to approve the rezoning with the condition that the applicant secure water-board approval and that the site be used for storage units only; Joey Neumiller seconded and all members present voted in favor.

The action was recorded as a motion by Rick Bauman, seconded by Joey Neumiller, and carried unanimously among the seven members present. The next procedural step for the applicant is to secure the water-board approval noted by the commission; no permit or construction may proceed until that condition is satisfied.