Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council adds no‑residential‑rental condition to Knutsen Printing PUD after neighbor testimony
Summary
After neighbor testimony about persistent nuisance concerns at a nearby rental property, the council approved rezoning at 1323 University Avenue with a condition prohibiting residential rentals in the PUD; members debated housing supply concerns before the supermajority vote passed.
The Grand Forks City Council on May 18 approved a rezoning to create a Knutsen Printing PUD at 1323 University Avenue and added a condition that prohibits residential rentals on the site.
The item returned from Planning and Zoning without the earlier 'no rental' restriction; neighbors told the council they opposed rental units at the site because of alleged past criminal and nuisance events linked to rental properties nearby. A neighbor who spoke at the public hearing recounted long‑running problems, alleged law‑enforcement responses and a prior fire at an adjacent rental property.
Council Member Lasowski moved to reinsert a condition prohibiting residential rentals into the PUD. Other councilors warned that restricting rentals limits housing options during a period of tight housing supply, and one member suggested such restrictions are better handled case‑by‑case. Staff reminded the council that a supermajority vote is required to add mandatory conditions to a PUD.
After debate and a roll‑call vote, the motion to add the no‑rental condition passed. Councilors recorded their votes by roll call and the measure carried as read.
What happens next: the PUD will be finalized with the added restriction; the restriction applies to residential uses and not to potential commercial leasable space on the site.
