BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) - The Bismarck City Commission has approved a revised extraterritorial area (ETA) map, sending the plan to the Burleigh County Commission for review.The decision came after efforts to reach a compromise regarding the area’s boundaries.
ETAs are commonly used by cities to manage future growth, extending city codes and enforcement to residents outside city limits who do not vote in municipal elections. The proposed map represents a reduction in Bismarck’s ETA.
“I feel that we delivered that compromise in the form of the map that our staff presented,” Bismarck Mayor Michael Schmitz said. “We worked to create a way for 95% of residents to move from the ETA to Burleigh County. Though, Burleigh County’s leadership appears unwilling to meet us in that compromise.”
Residents of Burleigh County within the current ETA, but outside of Bismarck city limits, have expressed concerns about the agreement, citing the imposition of Bismarck’s planning and zoning regulations on those living outside the city as creating unnecessary red tape.
“this is an extremely layered issue,but I believe the best outcome in this scenario comes in the form of a compromise,” Schmitz added.
The Burleigh County Commission will consider the map at its next regular meeting, scheduled for Monday, October 20. if the map is not accepted, the commission will discuss the possibility of withdrawing from the existing agreement between Bismarck and Burleigh County.
