The green space planned for the south side of Mandan's Main Street was trimmed by the city commission following complaints by business owners over the lack of parking.

Earlier this month, the city commission sent architect Al Fitterer back to the drawing board after selecting one of three alternatives Fitterer had drawn up for the area between the railroad depot and the John Iverson building south of Main Street. The final draft was presented at Tuesday's meeting, with Tim Kenyon, representing Leggette, Brashears & Graham, asking the commission to make a final decision on the redevelopment of the property, though two members of the five-member commission were absent.

"We understand the latest master plan for south redevelopment has gone through several iterations and we understand the desire to have something completed by July 4," Kenyon said. "But right now it's a moving target, and in order to have something finished, it has to quit moving. We need to know what you're going to do."

Commissioner Tim Helbling was the first to ask for more parking west of the video store. A small group representing Main Street business interests across the street also indicated there was a need for more parking.

Green spaces were located immediately east of the depot reaching the parking lot just west of the pizza business. Room was made for a business and parking east of the video store, and green space took up an area east of the parking to the John Iverson building. The remediation building is south of green space, with a road running along the back of the green space.

"Somehow, we've got to make it look something other than a blacktop lot," Helbling said.

Some space will be reserved west of the Iverson building for parking, city administrator Jim Neubauer said. "One thing we've heard from the community is that they don't want to look at one solid asphalt parking lot," he said.

After some discussion, it was decided to keep a strip of lawn, trees and shrubs along the boulevard just west of the Iverson building to the entrance to the video store. Parking would be placed behind the boulevard and then another strip of green space south of the parking.

The three-member commission - Mayor Ken LaMont and Commissioner Sandra Tibke were absent - approved the changes.

In other action, the Mandan City Commission:

3 Approved calling for demolition bids for the Mandan Farmers Elevator.

Attorney Malcolm Brown said BNSF Railways had agreed to donate the property with the elevator, along with the property up to where the Pizza Ranch is located.

Neubauer said there is some interest in developing the property, and plans are to have the elevator torn down this spring. Assurances were provided that Pizza Ranch can remain in its location.

3 Approved $13,000 for the Mandan Historical Society, which will be used as the local match for a $68,000 walking tour of the city's historical homes. The state's Department of Transportation is providing $55,000, which will be used for markers and information about the homes.

About 40 homes will be designated as heritage homes during the first phase of the project. A second phase will be developed in regard to Mandan's business district.

The signage will go on the property owner's land, with access from the sidewalk. Property owners have no obligation other than to sign an easement for the marker. A lamp post designating each home also is available; the homeowner is responsible for having it hooked up for electricity.

3 Held the first readings of ordinances creating a new chapter to the Mandan code creating an Environmental Institutional Control Zoning District within the central business district; and changing the name of the architectural advisory committee to architectural review commission, increasing its membership from six to nine and establishing an appeals process. This effectively puts the architectural review commission at the same level as the planning commission.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com.)