Board of Adjustment - September 23, 2025 Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Adjustment of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the Commission Chambers at City Hall at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
The Members present or absent were as follows:
Present: Deb Wendel-Daub, Matthew Boreen, Michael Love, Michael Orth, Marcia Pulczinski
Chair Love called the meeting to order.
Item 1: Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting of May 27, 2025
Member Boreen moved the minutes of the May 27, 2025 Board of Adjustment meeting be approved. Second by Member Wendel-Daub. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 2: New Business
a. Variance Request – 1122 7th Avenue South
The two requests at 1122 7th Avenue South, if granted, would allow a new, detached accessory structure (garage) to exceed development standards for Accessory Uses as outlined in Section 20-0403 for the SR-3, Single-Dwelling Residential zoning district, specifically:
1) 15-foot height restriction for accessory structures, and
2) Accessory structure building coverage not to exceed that of the principal building.
Planning Coordinator Kim Citrowske presented the staff report and reviewed the criteria used during staff’s analysis of the application. She stated staff is recommending denial, as the review criteria (a) and (c) have not been met.
Applicant representative Roy Fick spoke on the application.
Discussion was held on how this project would fit with the upcoming new Land Development Code, setbacks, dimensions of the existing and proposed garage, site design, and breezeway options.
Plan Reviewer Melissa Gaulrapp spoke on behalf of the Inspections Department.
Additional discussion was held on City standards regarding primary and accessory structures, alternate site and design options, and roof slopes.
Member Boreen moved the findings of staff be accepted and the variance be denied as requested. Second by Member Orth. Upon call of the roll Member Orth voted aye. Members Wendel-Daub, Boreen, Pulczinski, and Love voted nay. The motion failed.
Member Wendel-Daub moved to approve the variance to allow a new, detached accessory structure (garage) to exceed two development standards specifically maximum height and maximum area for accessory uses. Second by Member Pulczinski. Upon call of the roll Members Boreen, Pulczinski, Wendel-Daub, and Love voted aye. Member Orth voted nay. The motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Annual Meeting / Election of Officers
- Chairperson
Member Wendel-Daub moved Michael Love be nominated as the Board of Adjustment Chairperson. Second by Member Orth. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
- Vice-Chairperson
Member Orth moved Deb Wendel-Daub be nominated as the Board of Adjustment Vice-Chairperson. Second by Member Boreen. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 4: Adjournment: Next Meeting – October 28, 2025
Member Boreen moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:17 a.m. Second by Member Wendel-Daub. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.