Bismarck Zoning Decisions: January 2026

In January 2026, Bismarck held 4 public meetings covering zoning matters. 8 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 7 approved (88% approval rate), 1 denied.

Zoning Decisions This Month

Property Tax Abatement 7167 - Vacant Lot at River Place

Denied.

Denied abatement request from Paul Milner for vacant lot at 3275 River Place Drive North, Riverplace 7th Subdivision. Applicant requested no increase in valuation citing proximity to Coldwater Outfitters commercial operation and alleged property value impacts. Tax director recommended denial due to subjective claims and lack of comparable sales evidence.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Maverick Estates Second Subdivision

Approved.

Approved final plat for 24 residential lots on 41.26 acres with zone change from agricultural to residential. Located in Southwest quarter of Section 14, Township 137 North, Range 85 West on State Highway 6 near Mandan Airport. Applicant is Boulder Homes LLC. Missouri West Water confirmed capacity. Stormwater retention pond from first phase tested successfully during spring storms. Engineer Abe Balmer confirmed stormwater analysis accounts for paved roads and larger building footprints.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Harmon Village 24th Subdivision

Approved.

Approved final plat for 13 residential lots on 25.73 acres with zone change from agricultural to residential. Located in West half of Section 12, Township 140 North, Range 82 West. Applicant is W.W. Ranch LLC. Missouri West Water confirmed capacity for 13 lots. Commission expressed concerns about cumulative stormwater impacts and requested broader stormwater analysis for future phases.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Stark Subdivision

Approved.

Approved short form subdivision for 1.57 acres with zone change from agricultural to estate. Located in Northeast quarter of Section 11, Township 137 North, Range 84 West. Applicant is Lee Ingalls. Part of land swap with adjacent property owner Darren Stark to align ownership with County Road 137.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

North Pasture Subdivision

Approved.

Approved short form subdivision for 14.47 acres with zone change from agricultural to estate. Located in Southwest Quarter of Section 14, Township 137 North, Range 85 West, approximately six miles southeast of Allemont. Applicant is Kelly Bethke. Property to be used for neighbor's sheep ranching with no construction planned. Access and utility easement added.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Montees Ranchero 6th Subdivision Revised Plat

Approved.

Approved revised plat with utility easement modifications along shared property boundary between lots 1 and 2. The revision consolidates utility easements that were previously alongside a vacated right-of-way. Applicant agreed to changes requested by utility companies.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Lee Subdivision

Approved.

Approved short form subdivision for 2 lots with zone change from agricultural to estate. Located in South half of Section 2, Township 137 North, Range 84 West. Applicant is Darren Stark. Property crossed by WAPA power line with 75-foot easement on either side, precluding construction. Part of land swap with Lee Ingalls.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Ordinance 6651 - Rural Accessory Structure Size Amendment

Approved.

Approved zoning ordinance text amendment revising sections 14-0306, 14-0401, 14-0401.1, and 14-0417 to align rural accessory structure size regulations with Burleigh County's current ordinance, moving from tiered categorization to a baseline of 4% of parcel size regardless of actual parcel size. Vote was unanimous 5-0.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Zoning Changes

• Agricultural → Residential, 25.73 acres at West half of Section 12, Township 140 North, Range 82 West (W.W. Ranch LLC)
• Agricultural → Estate, 1.57 acres at Northeast quarter of Section 11, Township 137 North, Range 84 West (Lee Ingalls)
• Agricultural → Estate at South half of Section 2, Township 137 North, Range 84 West (Darren Stark)
• Agricultural → Estate, 14.47 acres at Southwest Quarter of Section 14, Township 137 North, Range 85 West, six miles southeast of Allemont (Kelly Bethke)
• Agricultural → Residential, 41.26 acres at Southwest quarter of Section 14, Township 137 North, Range 85 West, State Highway 6 (Boulder Homes LLC)
• Tiered accessory structure limits (2,400-4,800 sq ft depending on lot size) → 4% of parcel size baseline at Rural residential and agricultural districts citywide (City of Bismarck Planning Department)

Top Keywords This Month

• zoning: 37 instances
• subdivision: 33 instances
• residential: 22 instances
• plat: 16 instances
• industrial: 12 instances

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