UND president Andy Armacost presents scaled-back Ray Richards plan; council advances replat and rezoning

Andy Armacost, president of the University of North Dakota, told the Grand Forks City Council on Dec. 15 that UND has revised its Ray Richards Golf Course redevelopment plan to reduce residential density and address neighborhood concerns, while adding a Toptracer driving-range facility and UND golf team amenities.

The council advanced the platting item in a 5–2 vote and moved the rezoning on to further review toward a final hearing; the replat passed on a recorded roll call (Weigel yes; Kosowski no; Berg yes; Lenski yes; Bridal yes; Bean no; President Sandy yes). The council scheduled additional Planning & Zoning and city council steps leading to a final vote in February.

Armacost said the university trimmed the project substantially from an early 300-unit design to about 169 units and shifted the Toptracer facility to reduce traffic impacts on S. 34th Street. “We were trying to take into account the neighbors’ concerns… this yields 169 units, down nearly half from the original 300-unit design,” Armacost said, describing adjustments to lighting, parking and course alignment.

Residents and neighborhood representatives urged caution. Jane Swenby, speaking during public comment, asked the council to reject rezoning and appealed to the body to protect long-term property values and to clarify whether adjacent parcels could later be converted to commercial use. Dennis McLeod raised wildlife concerns, asking how the developer or UND would rescue raptors that might become entangled in driving-range netting.

City staff described the planned PUD zoning: R-4 multifamily allowed along the Demers/34th corner with no retail permitted on 34th, and B-3 commercial limited to the 42nd Street corridor. Staff said detailed site plans and traffic studies would follow the zoning approvals and that administrative review would govern detailed plans once zoning is set. Staff also noted demolition cost estimates for other projects in the meeting (discussed separately) in the $5–6 million range as background for redevelopment budgeting.

Council members emphasized process and next steps, noting opportunities to refine buffer yards, unit caps and drainage protections before final approvals. One council member asked staff to return with language that could lock in operating commitments or other contractual protections for the course to assuage neighborhood concerns.

The next formal steps are the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting in January and a final council hearing scheduled for Feb. 2, when the council will consider any amendments and a supermajority where required for final approval.