Commissioners tackle housing issues for workforce, families, and seniors
M.K. French
Farmer Staff Writer
The McKenzie County Commission’s meeting on November 18 included focused discussions on both current and future local housing needs. At the meeting, it was reported that McKenzie County’s efforts to stimulate the local housing market have been successful, with all nine homes constructed under a recent program now sold and occupied. However, the completion of this project has immediately turned the commission’s focus to a major unmet need in the community: senior and transitional housing. The update was presented by Aaron Pelton, Chair of the Job Development Authority (JDA). A request for workforce housing under the planning and zoning portion of the agenda prefaced this discussion.
Before the housing update, the Commission approved three Planning and Zoning consent agenda items, but Commissioner Kathy Skarda singled out one item for discussion: a Conditional Use Permit for Barron Better Roustabout Service to allow workforce housing in the Agricultural Zone. Skarda expressed caution, referencing past housing issues: “I just didn’t want us to end up in that workforce housing…situation that we were in a few years back.” Planning and Zoning Director Sandee Kimpel clarified that the permit was for a previously developed site, not a new expansion. “This was an area where the site actually had cement pads on it from workforce housing before,” Kimpel confirmed. She also noted that future inquiries are being steered to these existing sites: “We’re steering them towards areas that were previously workforce housing.” The permit was approved with the condition that the developer must choose between having campers or permanent housing units, but not a mixed-use arrangement.
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