Burleigh County commissioners extended a yearlong development moratorium three months as they await the Comprehensive Land Use Plan.

The county commission decided to extend the ban on subdivision platting and zoning at its Monday meeting. The moratorium was to expire on Dec. 31.

Commissioner Doug Schonert explained that expectations were that a draft plan was to be ready prior to Christmas and would be made available for review. A second public input meeting was planned for early January to allow comment on the draft.

"I was told a few weeks ago we were going to have a draft comprehensive plan before Christmas," Schonert said. "That will not happen now and the earliest it will be is in January. Once it is completed people should have a week or two to review and then we will have one more public meeting."

The comprehensive plan did get off to a late start, Schonert added, with consultant Cindy Gray, of SRF Consulting Group, beginning work on April 1.

The moratorium is serving the purpose of allowing the work on the comprehensive plan to proceed with minimal interruption, according to city/county planner Carl Hokenstad.

"During the last year the county commission did grant several waivers, mostly minor plats involving existing homes," Hokenstad said. "When the commission imposed the moratorium it had every intention of looking at each case."

The planning office didn't receive any complaints during the year, Hokenstad added. He feels another three months will allow sufficient time to complete the comprehensive plan.

"When you look at it, the plan didn't get off the ground until late-March … early April. If we keep the moratorium in place for three months it will give us a 12-month window to complete the plan which was the original intention," Hokenstad said.

Schonert also suggested that the next public input meeting be held in the City/County Building's Tom Baker room which will allow it to be televised over Community Access Television.

The commission unanimously approved Schonert's motion to extend the moratorium.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 701-250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)