The Bowman County Planning and Zoning Commission met in regular session on May 14, 2026. Members present: Jason Anderson, Josh Buchmann, Doyle Kruger, Chris Fischer, Jerid Janikowski, Rodney Schaaf, Ryan Shear, Myron Vail, Dalton Williams. Also present: Zoning Director, Jodi Freier, States Attorney, Andrew Weiss, Peggy Allen, and Jory Reissenauer.
Chairman Fischer called the meeting to order at 6:06 pm. Fischer asked for corrections or additions to the agenda. Shear moved to approve the agenda. Anderson seconded the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.
Schaaf moved to approve the March 12, 2026 minutes. Vail seconded the motion, and upon a vote the motion was carried unanimously.
Old Business:
Zoning Administrator Updates, Jodi Freier – Freier informed the board that the County Commission approved the variance from David Horn.
Battery Storage Ordinance – It is still being worked on.
Data Center Ordinance – Freier has been working on a draft. States Attorney Weiss and the board members will review and discuss at the next meeting.
New Business:
Zoning Ordinance Revision Hearing, Floodplain District Section 5.7 – Chairman Fisher opened the hearing. Freier presented the proposed ordinance that was recommended by the ND Water Commission. Vail moved to approve the ordinance. Anderson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried. Chairman Fisher closed the hearing.
City of Bowman Zoning Board – City Auditor Peggy Allen reported that the City of Bowman Zoning Board voted to abolish its extra-territorial zoning jurisdiction. It will be presented to the City of Bowman Commissioners for approval at their next meeting.
Agricultural Zoning Provision, State’s Attorney Opinion – Correspondence was received from the North Dakota Department of Agriculture that was requesting the zoning board to make sure that their zoning ordinances were compliant with NDCC 58-03-11.1 and NDCC 11-33-02.1. States Attorney Weiss reviewed the Bowman County Planning and Zoning Ordinance provisions relating to agriculture and found that the County’s current zoning provisions appear to be consistent with the state law governing agricultural operations. He does not see any provisions that require immediate amendment. The primary consideration going forward is to ensure that conditional use reviews involving feedlots remain within the limits of county authority and do not attempt to regulate matters assigned to state agencies.
With no further business to discuss, Vail moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:01 PM, with Williams seconding the motion.
Respectively submitted, Mindy Schumacher, Secretary
