Zoning & Planning – TheMinotVoice.com

‘Right to Dry’ Bill Passes Pennsylvania House, Protects Clotheslines From Overbearing HOAs

By: Linda Stein, Inside Sources | May 20, 2025

For thrifty Pennsylvanians pinching their pennies, their issue is the “right to dry.” And their law — protecting the right to hang laundry out to dry on the backyard clothesline — passed the Pennsylvania House on May 13. Local state Rep. Lisa Borowski (D-Newtown Square) wrote the bill, which is aimed at residents of condominiums,

Read & Share sourced from: Inside Sources

Dallas City Council Approves Sweeping Parking Reform in 14–1 Vote

by: MinotVoice | May 19, 2025

It’s not flashy, but it’s a big deal. After six years of work, Dallas just rewrote its parking code for the first time in decades—eliminating outdated parking mandates across much of the city. The 14-1 council vote means fewer arbitrary requirements, more flexibility for small businesses, and fewer roadblocks to reusing existing buildings. For neighborhoods

Read & Share sourced from: Strong Towns

We Can’t Solve the Housing Crisis While Making Infill This Hard

By: Asia Mieleszko, Strong Towns | May 14, 2025

All across North America, small developers are trying to help solve the housing crisis one modest project at a time — but the system often stops them before they can even begin. Cary Westerbeck, an architect and infill developer in Bothell, Washington and a longtime member of Strong Towns, has seen it happen too many

Read & Share sourced from: Strong Towns

A last-ditch effort to reform Minnesota zoning fails in Senate committee

by: MinotVoice | May 6, 2025

Minnesota lawmakers had a chance to ease the housing crunch by trimming red tape—but that window just slammed shut. A bipartisan push to reform zoning rules and make housing easier to build fell apart in the Senate, blocked by a mix of city resistance and political hesitation. Supporters called it a modest step; critics said

Read & Share sourced from: Minnesota Reformer

City of Minot Planning Commission | May 6, 2025

by: MinotVoice | May 6, 2025

The City of Minot’s Planning Commission will meet Tuesday, May 6th at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. The agenda for the meeting will be linked below and livestreamed via the city’s Youtube channel. Any persons requiring special accommodation is asked to contact the City Clerk’s office.

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How zoning quietly reshaped the world

by: MinotVoice | May 4, 2025

Most people don’t think about zoning unless they’re fighting city hall—or trying to open a café in the wrong part of town. But zoning quietly shapes nearly everything around us: where we live, how we get to work, what our neighborhoods look like, and who gets to be part of them. In Key to the

Read & Share sourced from: Fast Company

Comment period opens on proposed 25,000-cow dairy’s environmental permit near Hillsboro

by: MinotVoice | April 21, 2025

A dairy with 25,000 cows doesn’t just raise eyebrows—it raises questions. North Dakota’s largest proposed dairy, planned by Minnesota-based Riverview near Hillsboro, is now open for public comment. Concerns range from manure management and water use to transparency and timing. While supporters see economic opportunity, critics warn of risks to land, water, and community trust.

Read & Share sourced from: North Dakota Monitor

ND farm towns prepare for life with new animal feedlot law

By: Mike Moen, Public News Service | April 17, 2025

Starting next year, North Dakota will have a new law in place that covers local zoning restrictions for animal feedlots. The bill’s passage follows a spirited debate about the presence of industrial agriculture in small towns. Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed a bill drafted in response to discussions led by a task force. Among other things, the bill

Read & Share sourced from: Public News Service

Landowners, local governments lose power struggle over power lines

by: MinotVoice | April 5, 2025

A debate over power and proximity came to a head in the North Dakota Senate this week. Lawmakers narrowly approved a bill giving the state authority to override local zoning rules for electrical transmission lines—despite opposition from landowners and a committee’s recommendation to reject it. Supporters say strict local setbacks threaten vital infrastructure; critics see

Read & Share sourced from: North Dakota Monitor

North Dakota Senate concurs on military zones measure, New Government Committee Created

by: MinotVoice | April 3, 2025

A plan to create “impact zones” around North Dakota’s military bases is headed to the governor’s desk. The Senate gave final approval to SB 2398 on Wednesday, backing a new committee to review nearby development and protect base missions. The zones will be based on military needs, not fixed distances, and local governments will have

Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

Local versus state zoning for transmission lines debated at North Dakota Legislature

By: Jeff Beach, North Dakota Monitor | March 22, 2025

North Dakota landowners complained about eroding property rights and advocated for local government control Friday as they testified against a bill to take zoning decisions for electrical transmission lines away from local governments and give them to the state. An Otter Tail Power Co. representative contended that two townships in Stutsman County passed highly restrictive

Read & Share sourced from: North Dakota Monitor

‘Heavy-handed’ and ‘confusing,’ Grand Forks explores rule changes for nonconforming properties

by: Josh Wolsky | March 19, 2025

For decades, Grand Forks’ zoning rules have made it difficult for some property owners to sell, maintain, or improve their homes—especially in the city’s older, more affordable neighborhoods. Now, officials are considering an update to the nonconformity code, aiming for a more practical and less punitive approach. The proposed changes would clarify what owners can

Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

Denver Is Tired of Subsidizing Parking (and why it matters in Minot)

by: Josh Wolsky | March 15, 2025

Denver’s housing crisis isn’t about parking—it’s about people. As the city grows, officials are rethinking outdated parking mandates that drive up costs and stall development. By removing these rigid requirements, Denver hopes to make housing more affordable and flexible, allowing developers to build for actual demand rather than arbitrary rules. Other cities have already proven

Read & Share sourced from: Strong Towns

Northern North Dakota farmers push back on bill that would allow study of nuclear waste

by: MinotVoice | March 15, 2025

As North Dakota lawmakers explore nuclear energy, a familiar challenge looms—what to do with the waste. Senate Bill 2159, which removes restrictions on nuclear waste research, passed the Senate with little opposition but is now facing pushback from farmers and environmental groups. The debate reflects a broader national struggle: while nuclear offers steady, low-carbon power,

Read & Share sourced from: Bismarck Tribune

Minnesota Lawmakers Push Housing Reforms to Address Shortage

by: Josh Wolsky | March 12, 2025

Minnesota’s housing crisis is pushing lawmakers to take another run at zoning reform. A bipartisan group has introduced bills that would make it easier to build duplexes, townhomes, and apartments by limiting city restrictions that developers say drive up costs. Local governments, however, worry about infrastructure strain and losing control over zoning decisions. With a

Read & Share sourced from: Minnesota Reformer

Grand Forks pursuing planning commission changes to include military presence

by: MinotVoice | March 12, 2025

Decisions about land use in Grand Forks may soon have a new voice at the table: the Grand Forks Air Force Base. In response to state legislation aimed at protecting military installations from development conflicts, local leaders are exploring ways to add base representation to planning and zoning commissions. While the move could strengthen communication

Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald