West Fargo staff propose zoning change to allow city-owned inert landfill under conditional permit
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Summary
City staff proposed amending West Fargo’s zoning code to distinguish inert landfills from municipal solid waste landfills and allow a city-owned inert landfill within the P (public) district under a conditional use permit, citing limited regional disposal capacity and an estimated 2032 capacity limit at the current site.
City staff told the West Fargo commission they plan to amend the city’s zoning code to distinguish inert landfills—sites that accept demolition and construction debris—from municipal solid waste landfills and to permit a city-owned inert landfill in the P (public) district only through a conditional use permit.
"What goes into an inert landfill? Those are gonna be demolition material," Chair Thorstead said, describing the typical waste stream as including concrete, asphalt, bulky furniture, branches, wood and bricks. He said the inert classification reduces wildlife and odor concerns associated with municipal solid waste because the materials are non-putrescible and do not rot.
Staff and Thorstead said the change would preserve the city’s ability to review any proposed location carefully. "This isn't gonna be a permit by right," a Staff member said, describing the city’s intent to require a CUP so sites are vetted before approval.
The presentation laid out timing and capacity concerns. Staff estimated the current West Fargo inert landfill could reach capacity around 2032 and noted permitting a new landfill commonly takes three to five years. Thorstead also cited regional constraints, saying recent Clay/Cass County notes indicate the City of Fargo’s municipal solid waste landfill has limited remaining capacity.
Officials discussed potential locations. The current inert site is at 806 26th Avenue West on the city’s west side, near FedEx and industrial properties. Staff described a lagoon cell known as "Cell 8"—a clay-bottom cell that, depending on use, might provide decades of capacity—as one of several sites under consideration. Any new site, they said, would still require state permitting, local zoning review and environmental checks such as wildlife hazard assessments where airports are nearby.
Commissioners asked about post-closure uses and regional cooperation. Staff said there is no post-closure plan for the existing site and that, absent a permitted end-of-life reuse included in a new permit, a closed inert cell would likely remain a grassed hill. On regional cooperation, staff said Fargo currently owns and operates large regional infrastructure and that joint ownership of landfills is not being actively pursued at this time.
Next steps: staff said they will bring a zoning text amendment to the commission next month for a public hearing and for recommendation by the planning and zoning commission.
The commission did not take formal action at this meeting; the amendment will return for public hearing and possible action in a future meeting.
