FARGO- Some Hawthorne neighborhood residents oppose a proposed zoning change that would allow for construction of a three-unit townhouse in a historically single-family home neighborhood. Fargo city commissioners are slated to vote Monday, March 13, on the rezoning application necessary to build the Island Park Addition at 389 8th Ave. S., an existing vacant lot in the Island Park Historic Overlay District. Applicant and architect Chris Hawley estimates the total cost of the project to be between $750,000 and $1 million. The condos are expected to each sell for under $300,000, but it's all contingent upon project approval and bidding, he said. The project and rezoning was approved by the Planning and Historic Preservation commissions, but the rezoning application was tabled by city commissioners on Feb. 27 after a public hearing where some residents spoke out against the townhouse.
"We don't see it as a good mix," said Jim Alger, resident and former member of the Hawthorne Neighborhood Association. Alger told the commission he's lived in the neighborhood for nearly 50 years and the townhouse would be a "nonconforming structure" causing a "domino effect" of similar housing that would compromise the character of the neighborhood. Neighbor Liz Simon told the commission she takes issue with the townhouse coming to the lot because "it's already so tight in there" and the neighborhood lacks adequate parking space. "Along with the density, we have seen more and more willingness to make it more dense," she told commissioners. The townhouse is projected to face Fourth Street South, which is another concern raised by some residents about safety along the heavily trafficked street. There are also concerns about setbacks and eave height, as addressed in three separate letters of protest sent to the city about the project. Hawley said some Hawthorne neighborhood residents favor the project, but they aren't "the loudest voices." Joe Burgum, current president of the Hawthorne Neighborhood Association and son of Gov. Doug Burgum, backs the townhouse and told the commission that "as a citizen and neighbor, I'm really excited about this project." For those who want to raise a family and live close to downtown, he said the townhouse could be an affordable housing option. Hawley said he's in the business of building high-end single-family homes, but those aren't always affordable for everyone. The townhouse attempts to provide a missing middle solution, he said. The zoning change would allow for the number of units to increase from one, which is currently allowed, to three, according to planning administrator Nicole Crutchfield. She said city staff doesn't have concerns of the building facing Fourth Street or setbacks so long are there is a good design with the building. A 128-year-old big, yellow house with four apartment units was previously located on the property. The house, one of the oldest in Fargo, was restored to its original appearance in the mid-90s. But in 2008 The Forum reported that a cigarette was the cause of a fire that severely damaged the historic home, which was later demolished. Crutchfield said there are several multi-family buildings in the neighborhood, but townhome projects are a newer concept and this would be the first development of this kind in the Hawthorne neighborhood.
