Commission approves Northstar Center replat; development agreement passes on split vote

The Williston City Commission approved the final plat for Northstar Center Subdivision Rearrangement #1, a replat tied to the Fighting Pike development, and approved a development agreement that conditions building permits and requires specified public improvements, including turn lanes on U.S. Highway 2 and extensions of 12-inch water and sanitary sewer lines.

City Planner Kent Jarcik said the final plat reflects changes from the preliminary plat: Lot 3 was relocated to avoid a no-build easement for the future realignment of 84th Street West; an east–west utility easement across Lot 2 was extended at city staff request; and fractional ownership details remain under discussion.

Commissioners focused discussion on financial assurance for the public improvements. Commissioner Tate Cymbaluk expressed concern that a surety bond might leave the city exposed and said he preferred an irrevocable letter of credit or escrow to minimize potential litigation or risk. City Engineer David Juma noted that Century Code requires the city to carry the bond for public improvements over $200,000 if the city controls the project, and that the development agreement does require payment and performance bonds; Jarcik added the DA includes options for liens or financial assurance.

The commission approved the final plat by a 5-0 vote. The development agreement passed 4-1, with Cymbaluk casting the dissenting vote. The DA will amend and replace the original Northstar Center Subdivision agreement and include conditions for issuing building permits and certificates of occupancy.