Commission narrows lot-modification restriction to 6 months after rezoning

The Dickinson City Commission on Oct. 7 approved a zoning text amendment to Chapter 52 that changes administrative lot-modification rules, adds maximum lot-area limits for certain districts and requires the city planner’s signature on modified plats. During debate, commissioners amended the waiting period for combined lot/rezone submissions from one year to six months.

City Planner Natalie Burchak said staff proposed changes to Section 52-1 (definitions) and Section 52-4 (procedure) to prevent administrative lot modifications from being used to circumvent the minor- and major-subdivision public-hearing process. The amendment adds maximum new-lot-area thresholds for administrative lot combinations: 17,000 square feet in high-density and rural-residential districts and 12,000 square feet in limited commercial districts, and it requires that the subject lot not have been rezoned within the prior period (initially one year).

During deliberations, a representative of Highlands Engineering had submitted comments questioning the need for the one-year restriction. Commissioners discussed development timing and transparency, and after debate Commissioner Frederick moved to amend the restriction to six months; the motion carried. The commission then approved ordinance 18-33 as amended by unanimous vote.

The change means applicants seeking to combine or split lots administratively must meet the new size limits and, if tied to a rezoning, must generally wait six months after a rezoning before using the administrative lot-modification process — or submit the plat concurrently so the planning and city commissions see the full proposal.