Bismarck Zoning Decisions: September 2026

In September 2026, Bismarck held 15 public meetings covering zoning matters. 40 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 38 approved (100% approval rate), 2 deferred. Activity was up 35% compared to August (605 activity items across 13 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Zone change from AG to R7 for Octavia's Addition at 5406 Highland Place North

Approved.

The commission recommended approval of a zone change from agricultural (AG) to R7 single-family residential for Octavia's Addition, located at 5406 Highland Place North within the Mandan ETZ. The plat would have one lot of 6.96 acres. Adjacent properties to the north, east, and south are AG; to the west is R7. Future land use plan indicates medium density residential. The minor plat was not acted on tonight and will be cleaned up before City Commission to address a future east-west roadway alignment identified by the MPO. Passed on unanimous roll-call vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Olive Trees Second Subdivision final plat

Approved.

Approval of Olive Trees Second Subdivision, located at 5501 Detrick Place in Hay Creek Township, a lot combination totaling 25 acres to create a single larger lot for an accessory building/owner use. Stormwater management approved June 6; paving waiver not required. Planning Commission approved. County roll call unanimous.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Misty Waters Fourth Subdivision at 6408 Dream Drive

Approved.

Minor plat alteration to vacate an existing 20-foot-wide drainage easement on the south end of Lot 41, Block 1 of the Misty Waters Subdivision. The 0.46-acre lot covers only one lot with no zoning change. Casey (highway) noted the drainage easement was a former Corps of Engineers requirement now unnecessary since bank riprap addressed erosion. Commissioner Patrick expressed concern about the 2011 flooding. Forwarded to County Commission with do-pass recommendation via unanimous roll call vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Axt River Cliffs Subdivision at 26276 80th Street Northwest

Approved.

Lot combination of two existing parcels in an unsubdivided area within Painted Woods Township, forming a new 4.93-acre lot. Painted Woods retains zoning authority; county retains platting authority. Represented by Landon Miller (Swenson Hagen Engineering). Discussion covered a needed access easement to 80th Street Northwest (highway department stated prescriptive easement must be settled by a judge) and a paving waiver going to County Commission the next day. Forwarded to County Commission with do-pass recommendation on a roll call vote with Commissioners Bittner, Cullinan/Connolly, Munson, and Patrick voting no.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Ridge at Hawk Tree 3rd Subdivision at 3500 East Link Drive

Approved.

227-acre project redrawing parcel boundaries surrounding the existing Ridge at Hawk Tree golf course to ensure the golf course sits on only two lots, divided by the township line. Single landowner; no zoning change. Represented by Harvey Schneider (Toman Engineering). Approved and forwarded to County Commission with do-pass recommendation via unanimous roll call vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Rezoning South Meadows Addition 3rd Replat, Block 1, Lots 1-10 from RS to RM

Deferred.

InvestCorp, Inc. requested a zoning map amendment from RS Residential Suburban to RM Residential Multifamily on Lots 1-10, Block 1, South Meadows Addition 3rd Replat (2.96 acres), southwest of West Burley Avenue in the SW quadrant of South Washington Street and Meridian Drive. Northern Skies Living LLC proposes 11 single-story buildings, 44 one-bedroom rental units for accessible/senior/disabled housing, ~40 parking spaces, no garages. Numerous neighbors opposed citing traffic, school overcrowding, property values, and lack of guarantee the plan won't pivot. Prior request was denied last year (~9-1). Commission voted to continue the hearing so staff and applicant can craft a plan overlay district conforming to the presented plan.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Special use permit for drive-thru at Meadow Valley 6th Edition, Block 1, Lot 1

Approved.

Cold Brew LLC requested a special use permit for a drive-thru in conjunction with a food and beverage establishment on Lot 1, Block 1, Meadow Valley 6th Edition, on the south side of East Bismarck Expressway between Bozeman Drive and South 7th Street (~32,917 sq ft), zoned CG (becoming CX Oct 1). Project is a 7 Brew drive-thru-only coffee, identical to the location at 2625 State Street. Approved unanimously.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Ordinance 6684 CX to CG at Centennial Park 4th Addition

Approved.

Zoning map amendment from CX Commercial Mixed Use to CG Commercial General in the Centennial Park Fourth Addition, in northeast Bismarck between Interstate 94 and Trenton Drive, just east of the existing Cedric Theel Toyota dealership. Request from Thiel Properties LLP to enable expansion or a new car dealership by right. Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval Aug 19; staff supports. Motion carried unanimously.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Showing the 8 most significant of 40 recorded zoning decisions. See all Bismarck meetings →

Zoning Changes

• A → R7, 6.96 acres at 5406 Highland Place North, Mandan ETZ
• RS → RM, 2.96 acres at Lots 1-10, Block 1, South Meadows Addition 3rd Replat, SW quadrant of South Washington Street and Meridian Drive (InvestCorp, Inc.)
• RMH → RMH at Blocks bounded by Broadway, Thayer, 25th and 26th Street, Governor Pierce Addition (Bismarck Rental Properties LLC)
• CX → CG at Between Interstate 94 and Trenton Drive, Centennial Park 4th Addition, northeast Bismarck (Thiel Properties LLP)
• R-5 → RS at North of Buckskin Avenue, west of North Washington Street, Cottage Grove Addition (Bold Property Group LLC)
• A → RS at William Blackstone Addition, Bismarck
• A → RS at Elk Ridge 4th Addition, Bismarck
• A → R at SE quarter section 4, township 139N range 82W, ~1.75 miles NW of Mandan truck stop

Top Keywords This Month

• zoning: 177 instances
• subdivision: 88 instances
• residential: 67 instances
• plat: 36 instances
• land use: 36 instances

What to Watch

• Zoning mentions were up 82% from August.
• Subdivision came up 69% more often than August.
• Plat saw 414% more mentions month-over-month.
• Land use increased 50% compared to August.

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