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Grand Forks council approves several land‑use ordinances; approves compromise for Southern Estates PUD
Summary
Council approved a slate of zoning and plat measures May 18, including a revised PUD option (option C) for Southern Estates that staff described as a compromise to reduce density and add buffer; the council also approved a series of other rezones and plats unanimously.
The Grand Forks City Council on May 18 approved a series of land‑use measures that included multiple rezoning and plat approvals and final adoption of a revised plan for the Southern Estates PUD.
After the mayor opened the public hearing period and received no speakers, the council approved rezoning for Curry’s 2nd POD (amendment 6 to amendment 7) on 60th Avenue South and final plat approval for Sedona Estates in unanimous votes. Additional ordinance readings — including rezoning for JR’s POD and annexation of Southern Estates — were likewise approved without public opposition.
The most detailed discussion focused on item 3.6: an amendment to the Southern Estates PUD and a developer‑proposed alternative (option C). Planning staff said the planning commission initially recommended denial but the developer subsequently offered a redesigned plan that would reduce density and provide a larger buffer from neighboring homes. Staff said the proposed option would allow up to about 70 residential units with commercial uses retained on the bottom floor of a mixed‑use building along Columbia Road.
A resident who spoke during the public hearing urged the council to limit density and reject a proposed four‑story building, saying it would increase traffic on 45th Avenue and change neighborhood character. The resident asked the council to cap townhomes and limit the total units on the site.
In response, planning staff said traffic modeling and engineering review indicate the residential plan would likely generate less traffic than full commercial development allowed under current zoning. Staff also said parking and stall lengths on the site meet code requirements and that the revised setbacks would place new buildings farther from Columbia Road than an adjacent four‑story building.
President Sandy described the developer’s revisions as a compromise and moved approval of option C; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
What happens next: the approved PUD and the other ordinance actions will be processed per the city’s land‑use implementation steps; items that required second reading and final approval were completed at this meeting.
