Land that will eventually support Fargo's third public high school cleared its first hurdle Wednesday.
The Fargo Planning Commission unanimously recommended rezoning the 80-acre parcel at 70th Avenue South and 25th Street from agricultural land to public institutional land.
The Fargo School District plans to open the new high school in 2011 or 2012, said Dan Huffman, assistant superintendent.
The Planning Commission's only concern about the location was the future of 70th Avenue South.
Commissioner Catherine Wiley said she was "not particularly enthusiastic" about an elementary school being built along a major collector road. The school district's plan includes the potential for an elementary school at the site.
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Huffman said being on a major street makes it easier for parents to drop off and pick up their children.
"The key issue for us is what kind of pedestrian controls are going to be available to the School District as kids try to cross those major streets," he said.
The Planning Commission wants to see a bridge over the Red River at 70th Avenue South, which would make it an arterial road. But Clay County would rather put the bridge at 76th Avenue South so it would line up with 80th Avenue South in Moorhead. Fargo opposes that plan because it cuts through a residential subdivision. Fargo Planning Director Jim Gilmour said 76th Avenue will likely become the arterial road because an Interstate 29 interchange is planned at 76th Avenue.
The School District is selling 20 of its 80 acres to the Fargo Park District through a contract-for-deed, Huffman said. The two entities routinely work together on projects.
The Milwaukee Trail greenway to the north also will be extended through the east edge of the site. The city's growth plan calls for residential development to surround the high school, which is a major reason the district chose the site, Huffman said.
The City Commission must approve the zoning change.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Mike Nowatzki at (701) 241-5528
