Fargo planners outline LDC code‑testing phase, three workshops and monthlong online survey

Consultants and Fargo planning staff told the Planning Commission and City Commission that the city is in Phase 1 of a multi‑phase update to the Land Development Code and will gather public feedback this week through three in‑person workshops and an online survey.

The presentation, delivered to a joint meeting of the planning and city commissions, summarized the project timeline and public‑engagement plan and urged commissioners and the public to provide feedback now so that code drafting will reflect community priorities. "No question if you're thinking it. There's probably another commissioner also thinking it, so don't be shy," said Miranda Tassa, Planning Commission chair, encouraging questions from commissioners. Nicole Crutchfield, Planning Director, told commissioners and the public: "Feel free to email me, Kim, Mark, or the planning, anybody from the public too…we will have an online survey as well, that will be open for about a month."

Why it matters: The Land Development Code (LDC) sets rules that shape how Fargo grows — from where housing can be built to where commercial centers locate. The presentations tie the code rewrite to several city plans adopted or in use, including the comprehensive plan (GO 2030), the 2024 Growth Plan, the Core Neighborhoods master plan, and the Fargo Transportation Plan, which together guide the testing and eventual drafting work.

Key details: The team said the work is phased: Phase 1 (code analysis and testing) is underway; Phase 2 (code drafting) will ramp up in September and October and continue through late winter; Phase 3 (finalizing, adoption and training) is planned for spring 2026. The consultant team listed multiple public events this week: a workshop at the Fargo Dome this evening, one at the Fargo Park Sports Center on 30 Eighth Street South tomorrow morning and a midday session at Fargo Cass Public Health; all workshop materials and recorded Code Connect sessions will be posted at fargondc.org. The online survey opened the day of the meeting and will remain available for roughly one month, staff said.

Discussion and direction: Commissioners and presenters discussed how the engagement will inform code drafting and emphasized the team will return in August with a draft approach before beginning full drafting in September. Staff requested written feedback and questions from commissioners and the public during the comment window to avoid heading in the wrong direction early in drafting.

Next steps: The project team will compile workshop and online feedback, present an approach in August, begin full code drafting in September and continue stakeholder outreach through late winter and spring 2026. No formal votes or ordinance actions occurred at the meeting.