Plans to create a 640-acre city center in southwest Fargo gained approval from city planning commissioners Wednesday, despite concerns about how the addition could affect future development of the area.
Ace Brandt, owner of the land between 45th and 57th streets southwest where the Westside Center will be built, still must earn support from the City Commission before moving forward with the three-phase project.
"I have no interest in doing a project that's not pleasing to the citizens of Fargo," Brandt said. "We want to do this well, and we want it to be classy."
Brandt's proposal has a mix of commercial and medium-to-high-density residential space, including more than 400 units of age-restricted housing geared toward baby-boomers looking to downsize.
Plans have been under consideration since early January.
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But since the beginning, several members of the Planning Commission have been apprehensive about making such a drastic change to the city growth plan to accommodate the commercial-heavy development.
The land currently is zoned agricultural.
In addition, Brandt's plan would create more apartments and multifamily housing units -- something Fargo has been criticized for having too much of already.
Commissioner Steve Blazek said the city needs to consider what the lack of single family houses in this development will mean for the future.
Planning Commission Chairman John Q. Paulsen said the board will need to keep this in mind when making future decisions.
"Somebody is going to have to protect single family residential development," Paulsen said.
Another concern of commissioners is how the proposed development will look and how it will blend with surrounding property.
To appease the worry, Brandt and commissioners agreed to implement a conditional overlay, which will require that specific design standards be applied to everything from parking lots to garages.
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After lengthy discussion, the commission approved Brandt's proposal by a unanimous vote. Plans will go before the City Commission in April, and construction could begin in the next 18 to 24 months.
Cindy Gray, a Fargo senior planner, said Brandt's plan isn't unlike what was done in the West Acres area more than two decades ago. But while West Acres has become auto-oriented, Westside Center will be more pedestrian friendly.
"Maybe this is a good time to be starting development like this in another area ... in a much more up-to-date and well-thought-out arrangement," Gray said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Mary Jo Almquist at (701) 241-5531
