The Crookston Planning Commission met Tuesday, September 18 at City Hall. The main agenda consisted of a request for rezoning, the Downtown Master Plan and the Gateway Overlay Ordinance. The commission approved a request that 820 Eickhof Blvd be rezoned from an R3, multi-family residence such as townhome or apartment, to an R2, one- or two-family housing.
The Downtown Master Plan was discussed including the council’s initial reluctance to adopt the plan last year. It was discussed that the council would probably be more willing to adopt the plan with an official endorsement from the planning commission. It was also noted, that while the plan is a working document that can and, likely, will see changes over time, not adopting a plan will create a significant challenge in securing grant funding for future city projects.
“I think for us to move forward with grant funding we need to see this approved. We’re already seeing good things downtown with the interest spearheaded by the downtown group,” said Councilman Dale Stainbrook. “It just gives us a blueprint like the housing study and nothing is really etched in stone.”
The commission was also satisfied with the Gateway Overlay Ordinance they had created over the last couple meetings and decided to take it to City Attorney’s to verify the language in the document met legal standards. Once approved by the attorney, the next step will be to present the Ordinance in a public forum.
Crookston Planning Commission Discusses Downtown Master Plan
