Agreement clears way for Pheasant Ridge construction
By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor
The Watford City City Council found itself stepping outside its comfort zone as it approved a development agreement with Bayfront Builders for the development of the Pheasant Ridge development on the northside of Watford City.
During the council’s regular meeting on July 9, the council was presented with a proposal that would have the city make payments to contractors for the infrastructure improvements on the property.
According to Curt Moen, city planner, under normal development agreements, developers, such as Bayfront Builders, would be able to secure a bond that would protect the city from being left to pay for any infrastructure improvements in the event that the project was not completed.
“Because there has been no development in the community prior to now, no developer can get a bond which is normally done,” stated Moen. “Once we get development going, future developers hopefully will be able to get a bond.”
Under the agreement between the city and Bayfront Builders, Inc., a special account will be created into which all of the proceeds from the sale of lots at Pheasant Ridge will be placed. The city auditor, who will be the only person who has the ability to draw funds from the account, will then make the payments to the contractors as they complete the infrastructure work.
“The account will remain in effect until they (Bayfront Builders) have paid off the entire $3,031,095.31 in infrastructure improvements,” stated Wyatt Voll, city attorney. “We (the city) will also hold a mortgage on all the property and then release each lot when it is sold.”
According to Voll, while this is not the normal procedure, it is a way to ensure that the city isn’t left with the cost of the infrastructure improvements.
In approving the agreement, the city council also stipulated that the agreement would become effective once the city has received proper title work and $250,000 funding.
In other business, the council:
• Approved the Pipeline Easement between the City of Watford City and the Western Area Water Supply Authority.
• Approved a $10,000 Roughrider Fund grant for the McKenzie County Heritage Park for a chain link fence around the park.
• Denied a $25,000 Roughrider Fund grant to Boomtown Executive Suites LLC for exterior renovation.
• Approved allowing the Relay For Life to have a fireworks display from 10:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Aug. 10.
• Approved a request from the Ribfest Committee to allow alcohol on two blocks of Main Street on Aug. 10 from 4 to 8 p.m. and from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. to allow alcohol only in the beer garden area.
• Was updated on the planned nine-hole expansion of the Fox Hills Golf Course by Lee Rafferty.
• Was updated by Montana Dakota Utilities on planned improvements to serve the Watford City area.
• Reviewed conceptual plans to increase office space at the City Hall by Mark Young, Jackola Engineering and Architecture. The council also approved spending up to $30,000 for the discovery phase of the project.
• Approved the Task Order Edition agreement between Advanced Engineering and the City.
• Approved the payment of $39,458.25 to Merryman Excavation for the Area 5 Utilities and Extensions project.
•Approved the General Construction Observation Services for up to $10,000.
• Approved a variance application submitted by Scott, Todd and Doug Bolken for property located at 1009, 1013, 1017, and 1021 4th Ave. SE for a 6-foot variance from the required 25 feet front yard setback to allow for placement of 16’ x 76’ mobile homes.
• Approved a conditional use permit for Pilot Travel Centers, LLC allowing for a 12,000 gallon above ground diesel storage tank and dispenser located at 1009 11th Street SW.
• Approved the subdivision preliminary plat submitted by Tru Value Homes, LLC for property in the Pleasant Hills Subdivision.
• Approved amending Section 2 of Article XIX of Chapter XV of the City of Watford City Ordinances relating to permitted uses in the I-P Industrial Park District to include truck wash facilities.
• Approved amending Section 3-1 of Article XIX of Chapter XV of the City of Watford City Ordinances relating to general requirements in the I-P Industrial Park District.
• Approved a conditional use permit submitted by Links Owned Properties, LLC located at 605 11th Ave. SW allowing up to 30 silos.
• Approved a Renaissance Zone application submitted by David and Deanne Valenzuela for property located at 325 2nd Street NE.
• Approved a zoning change application submitted by Knife River for property located at 401 14th Street SW from A-2 to H-I.
• Approved a zoning change application submitted by Paul Deutsch for three acres located at SW1/4 Section 15, T150N, R98W from A-2 to R-1.
• Approved the subdivision preliminary plat (Prairie Commercial Plaza) submitted by Prairie Housing Services for 48.626 acres located at 2008 17th Ave. NE.
• Was informed by City Auditor Anderson that Jim Svihovec had been hired to do cemetery maintenance.
• Approved the hiring of Travis Bateman as a police officer effective Aug. 1.
• Approved the first reading of an annexation application submitted by Warren Hovland for 22.21 acres at 401 14th Street SW.
• Approved the first reading of an annexation application submitted by CKW Properties LLP (South Park Commercial Development) for five acres at 804 Main Street S.
• Approved the first reading of an annexation application submitted by Bakken Development Solutions LLC and Jarvis Sorenson (Crossroads at Watford City Development) for 90.48 acres in the NW1/4 of Section 22.
• Approved the second reading of Ordinance #276, which amends Section 3-216 of Article 2 of Chapter III of the City of Watford City Ordinances relating to curb cock specifications.
• Approved the second reading of Ordinance #277, which amends Section 3-304 of Article 3 of Chapter III of the City of Watford City Ordinances relating to private sewage disposal.
• Approved the raffle permit application submitted by Dakota West Credit Union/Monjore’s Relay For Life.
• Agreed to stop accepting septic disposal due to increased odor problems as well as the need to draw down the lagoons for the upcoming wastewater treatment facility project, effective July 13, 2012.
• Approved a one-year moratorium on temporary workforce housing, RV parks, and mobile home parks in the Extraterritorial Zone Area, with the exception of allowing temporary housing for employees only on commercial or industrial zoned property with a maximum of one housing unit per acre with a minimum of 5,000 square feet dedicated to each housing unit.
• Approved a request by Stenehjem Development to withdraw the preliminary plat that had been approved on April 2, 2012 with the condition that zoning revert to A-2.
• Approved utilizing the services of Matt Beard, TD&H Engineering, Inc. for construction review and Alicia Brenna, Brenna Law Firm for development agreement review.