Public Comment Meeting #2 Proposed Ordinances
11/25/2025, 7:00 PM
Supervisor Reis called the public hearing to order at 7 pm.
Comments on Proposed Zoning Ordinances
Article 7.2.2 - Animal Nuisances
Burt Heaton - we are not guilty, we act like we're guilty, wants the board to back off. The people that want it are not here.
Andrew Nagel - This is too general. Has one rooster, it crows during the day.
Ashlie Boschee - the way it's written is subjective, in section 2 you can't help wind direction, could add that compost piles need to be a certain number of feet from the property line.
Artilce 8 - Shipping Containers
Katie Aitchison - there isn't a grandfather's clause. If passed, would not be in compliance.
Sam Helma - If you are going to get rid of conex boxes, then include old semi-trailers. When you count acreage, do you include the public right-of-way as part of the acreage or not?
Brian Mossett - lives in a development that is smaller than 5 acres, can't have one. Grandfather clause that you can have 1 or 2 per property; any more units would need a permit. This would be another tax. Lives in Beulah Meadows, south of Lincoln Cenex.
John Schmidt - Wants common ground, has two boxes, poured concrete, and they are painted to match the house. This ordinance outlaws them; the ordinance needs to go away.
Burt Heaton - these shouldn't be treated any differently than a building, should be neutral colors. Should be based on square feet of property, like outbuildings.
Nathan Jensen - Can't have stuff out, the containers are for the stuff, we have more problems than shipping containers.
Tonya Schmitt - Have problems with people stealing property, these secure that property, should be grandfathered. Maybe require to paint them all the same color.
Brian Mossett - Cover kits done nicely and painted nicely would be OK.
Article 9 - Short Term Rentals
Ashlee Boschee - The umbrella is too big, understands from a dept of health issue, what about family or hunters. It it's more than 120 days, the township has to approve.
Nathan Jensen - This infringes on our property rights, township is reaching too far. This should not be, starting here, where does it end.
Article 10 - PUDs
no comments
Article 11 - Burn Barrels
Nathan Jensen - Can't have a barrel, will dig a pit or burn in the grass, has not idea where this came from.
Jared Hanson - Uses a burn barrel, burning trash in general, you get formaldehyde, benzene, which you are exposed to as gas stations, cars, dioxins are a little trickier - you are exposed to more from the dump than barrels.
Sam Helma - Sees the concern, maybe certain feet from neighbors' structure, attended or not attended, county issues burn bans, needs to be responsible.
Ashlie Boschee - Some properties are not set up for a garbage truck. Say how the burn barrel has to be set up, bricks, gravel, dirt.
Brian Mosset - Need to evolve, how many times has the fire dept been called? Maybe commercial incinerators.
Lori Halvorson - Rural fire dept was called, the burning had gotten away; if it had gone much further, it would have burned the entire development. This happened during a burn ban. Burn when the wind is going towards your house, not my house. People need to care about neighbors; what we do affects neighbors.
Chuck Serr - An electric fence around trees started a fire, it shorted out, fire was up the ditch. Talk to your neighbor. If you can't take the smoke maybe you should move to town.
John Schmitt - Bad neighbor who burns during a burn ban or when it's windy. People who wrote this should move to town.
Tonya Schmitt - A barrel is a controlled burn; you are supposed to call it in. If you have a controlled burn, you need the appropriate equipment.
Nathan Jensen - If you have a bad neighbor, talk to them. The county already has rules; if barrels are banned, he's going to burn on the ground.
Janel Schwab - The Majority of fires by her house have started from the train during dry years, and the fire department contained them. Very careful when burning, make sure there is plenty of snow on the ground, waters the area down to be safe. Someone had mentioned insurance, she does not know if her insurance would cover an accidental fire. She has talked to her neighbor, and they came to an agreement.
Al Dukart - He came home one day and saw smoke. The state decided to burn a vacant structure without notice.
Article 12 - Fireworks
Nathan Jensen - The county already has rules in place. understands it scares horses and cattle. Has an 11-year-old who shoots off fireworks all of the time. Making rules more strict than Burleigh County is not good.
Cristy Nagel - Does not like fireworks. The City of Lincoln adopted a fireworks ordinance, which caused a lot of finger-pointing. Being responsible is key.
John Schmitt - Only lights fireworks on the 4th. We were raised a certain way. Most moved to the country so they could live like they grew up. Now we are beating them down.
Tonya Schmitt - Burn ban, you can't use them. Should be able to shoot them off.
Jared Hanson - Has a couple of horses and a donkey; fireworks scare them. Wants to be able to light them off.
Article 13 - Gun Ranges
Andrew Nagel - Too broad. Gave written statement.
Nathan Jensen - Country living - this would not allow his 11-year-old to shoot his 22 off the deck into the dirt. Talk to your neighbors. The board gets to tell his son he can't shoot his gun.
Article 14 - Equine
Sam Helma - Commends the board, this already exists, nothing new. Would right-of-way be counted as acreage? Take into consideration everyone in the community.
Jared Hanson - Need 400 square feet for a horse. A horse is 1.25 of a cow w/calf. Depends on how they are managed. Has a horse just shy of 14 hands, eats 20 lbs, and one that is 15 hands, eats 50 lbs. Horses that work harder will eat more. Pasture Management - 1 acre broken into 6 areas will increase the amount of grass available for them. Management and how you are rotating. Don't want horses out during winter or when it's raining.
Chuck Doppler - Need to take care of horses and manage them. Need a limit, but more than what is stated.
Burt Heaton - Things would be easier on the board if you just talk to your neighbor. The board has enough to do.
Moratorium 1 - Data Center
no comments
Moratorium 2 - Direct Air Carbon Capture Facilities (DACC)
No comments
Moratorium 3 - Nuclear and Industrial Waste Disposal Sites
No comments
Moratorium 4 - Renewable-Energy Battery Storage Facilities
no comments
Moratorium 5 - Establishment, Construction, and Operation of Solar Farms
No comments
Moratorium 6 - Establishment, Construction, and Operation of Wind Farms
Al Dukart - doesn't think these can be put up within 7 miles of an airport.
The board allowed some general discussion:
Brandon Prichard - He knows there is a concern with containers. Township would probably grandfather. If the township wanted something moved, it may be a township expense. Brandon is going to do some research into this.
Jame Jacobson indicated she does not agree with any of the ordinances except the moratoriums. Where did the date come from? Is this based on complaints? How many complaints?
Dan Reis indicated that the people in this township need to come to meetings.
Andrew Nagel feels that no news is good news, he does read the minutes. The City of Lincoln passed a beautification ordinance. It worked OK until a new board member was elected and took it too far.
Public Hearing ended at 8:28 pm