Menards has terminated a purchase agreement to buy land for a future store and retail/residential development in the northwest corner of 52nd Avenue South and Interstate 29 in Fargo.
Dan Plambeck, attorney for landowners Fred and Earlyne Hector, said the purchase agreement allowed Menards to back out if it couldn't obtain the desired zoning.
"They just exercised their right to terminate it and withdrew," he said.
In October, the Fargo Planning Commission recommended denial of Menards' request to amend the city's growth plan to roughly double the amount of commercial space on the 149-acre site.
Menards' plan also faced significant opposition from neighboring residents concerned about traffic and the site's proximity to Kennedy Elementary and Microsoft Business Solutions.
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Menards real estate associate Scott Nuttelman did not return a message left on his cell phone Tuesday morning.
The Hectors have not withdrawn their request to plat and zone the site, Fargo Senior Planner Jim Hinderaker said. Plambeck said they're trying to figure out what to do with the property, which is still for sale.
"It's just kind of a bad deal for the city, I think," Plambeck said. "People can't even develop their land anymore."
Readers can reach Forum reporter
Mike Nowatzki at (701) 241-5528
