The Burleigh County Commission unanimously voted Monday to table a vote on a proposed comprehensive plan until their first September meeting.

Lasting more than three hours, the public hearing on the issue was attended by more than 60 business and private parties from both rural and urban areas of the county.

"I would like to personally go through this again … bring this back a month from now," said Jerry Woodcox, chairman of the committee.

Around 25 people addressed the committee during the public forum time debating a wide of array of issues concerned in the wide-ranging proposed plan.

The first wave of speakers were in favor of the proposed plan. However, what at first seemed like an otherwise short debate, expanded into hours of forum, once the opponents started to voice their concerns.

The majority of the opponents were from rural areas. A good chunk of them were concerned the proposed plan would inhibit unorganized rural clusters from having the ability to change their own zonings.

Other opponents argued the plan would restrict their rights as property owners.

After the issue was tabled and the public hearing was closed, Cindy Gray, a member of SRF Consulting Inc. hired to develop the plan, addressed the committee on the budget of the comprehensive plan.

Originally penciled at $100,000, Gray said she expects the whole issue to cost $15,000 to $20,000 more than budgeted.

"I'm less than pleased with the progress of comprehensive plan," said Commissioner Doug Schonert, adding that the project is almost eight months behind schedule.

"It did take me longer than I thought it would take and for that I apologize, but it was more than I expected," said Gray.

Commissioner Mark Armstrong added that anytime he had a question on the matter, Gray was available.

"This has taken longer because of our schedules and our requests (of Gray)," he said. "And I think we've got a better plan because of that, and I think it"s worth the money."

(Reach reporter Chris Rosacker at 250-8254 or at chris.rosacker@;bismarcktribune.com.)