At the forefront of the meeting was the deliberation and subsequent approval of a variance for Ryan Zimmerman. Zimmerman sought permission to build a 27,000 square foot agricultural office shop and storage building on parcels in Oakport Township. The parcels, owned by Jerry Zimmerman, faced challenges due to residential structures that prevented them from being combined under the current zoning code. The applicant highlighted practical difficulties in meeting the existing setback regulations, notably a 125-foot setback from the road and sideyard setback requirements. The board unanimously agreed that these difficulties justified the variance, confirming it aligned with the county’s land development code and comprehensive land use plan.

To ensure clarity and legal compliance, the board attached conditions to the variance approval. These included the requirement for a licensed land surveyor to establish the property line and the recording of an encroachment easement against the properties.

In another significant agenda item, the board considered an interim use permit for Narin Thomas’s proposed agritourism events in Craigness Township. The property, located within a floodway, aims to host educational events focusing on conservation practices. Despite the floodway restrictions, the board approved the permit, recognizing the importance of agricultural education and tourism. The permit includes conditions such as portable restroom facilities and a licensed food vendor. The board also discussed potential future developments pending the completion of the Fargo-Moorhead diversion project, which may alter the floodplain designation.

The meeting also addressed a zoning request from Big Iron Properties LLC, seeking to rezone a parcel from agricultural general to highway commercial. This proposal, which includes a plan for contractor storage and material stockpiling, prompted discussions about potential drainage issues, increased traffic, and environmental impacts. The board acknowledged public concerns about noise and light pollution, as well as possible impacts on local water resources. Despite these challenges, the township expressed support for the project, viewing it as a beneficial use along the Highway 75 corridor.

In addition to zoning matters, the board turned its attention to the issue of senior services funding. Heather Pender, director of the Dancing Sky Area Agency on Aging, presented a budget proposal seeking match funding to leverage federal allocations under the Older Americans Act. Pender highlighted the agency’s role in supporting programs like senior nutrition and caregiver support. The board recognized these programs’ importance in addressing the needs of the county’s aging population, particularly in rural areas where access to services can be challenging.

The board also reviewed updates on a Buffalo River flood insurance study and ongoing violation cases related to land use regulations. The flood insurance study, complete with a letter from FEMA, promises potential benefits for property owners by modifying floodplain designations.