Bismarck grants special use permit for new business

BISMARCK – The Bismarck Board of Aldermen granted a special use permit for Carl Bennett and his company, Bismarck Intermodal Services (BIS), at the board’s regular monthly meeting held Thursday at the municipal court building.

Once completed, BIS will be a 14.5 acre intermodal rail-to-truck/truck-to-rail freight facility. Demolition work is in progress at the site as preparations are being made for the construction of additional railroad track and the arrival of heavy equipment to handle freight transfers of crushed rock, cargo containers, boxcar loads, lumber and industrial or agricultural machinery.

Alderwoman Carol Baker made the motion for the board to issue Bennett the special use permit for his property located on the west side of the city’s railroad tracks. It was approved unanimously.

The permit allows industrial activity to take place on the property which is designated as commercial under the following conditions:

Bennett incorporates sufficient “buffer” on the site to protect adjacent residential landowners from excessive noise levels and dust created from industrial operations performed on the property; and all state regulations governing allowable maximum “noise” and “dust” levels are adhered to.

Bennett, who was present at the meeting, verbally agreed to both qualifications. Prior to the vote he had presented board members an aerial view of the site, indicating areas where he had modified building plans to include the installation of walls to help damper the sound and hold in dust that might otherwise disturb area homeowners.

At a public hearing held Tuesday, Bismarck resident Darrell Pratt expressed concerns about the new business and the negative impact it might have on those living in homes located nearby. Bennett’s presentation to board members Thursday night was meant to allay those concerns.

In other action by the board:

A special use permit and business license was approved for Oliver Woodcrafting, 224 Roberts Drive. The permit allows the home business to be run in a residential district under the condition that there be no external evidence of the business except for a small announcement of professional sign not exceeding five square feet attached to the wall at the entrance and lit only by an indirect, non-intermittent light.

Reports were received from the street, depot and planning/zoning committees.

Reports were received from the police, fire and animal control departments.

Minutes from the Dec. 8, 2011 meeting were approved

The city financial statement was approved.

The payment of outstanding bills and Invoices/purchase orders were approved.

Kevin R. Jenkins is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 114 or at kjenkins@dailyjournalonline.com.