Trending
Getting foreclosed properties back on the tax rolls was the goal of discussion between the Ward County Commission and Minot City Council at a joint meeting Monday, Oct. 5.
Special assessments and property taxes, along with accruing interest and penalties, have priced the vacant Stony Ridge Condos properties beyond their market values, making it difficult for the county to sell the land. With a recent zoning change, condos can no longer be built on the properties.
The city and county have been considering what to do with the 25 parcels in southwest Minot as well as a similar property in Eastwood Park. The entities decided to negotiate a minimum but acceptable price that will enable the city to acquire the properties from the county. The city would determine a plan for reducing special assessments so the properties can be marketed.
The two boards also discussed adjustments to extraterritorial alignment. Minot Principal Planner Doug Diedrichsen outlined the city's interest in pulling back portions of its extraterritorial area, which can extend up to two miles beyond city limits, in areas where development is unlikely in the foreseeable future.
The council also is expected to consider an ordinance change to make a two-mile extraterritorial area optional rather than required. It also could look at annexing the city lagoon and establishing a buffer against development of a quarter to half mile.