Central ND News

The City of Bismarck Planning Division will start placing public notice signs on properties and boulevards before public hearings for development projects, beginning in September. The signs are expected to go up about two weeks before the scheduled meeting and will be taken down soon after. They will provide basic details, including the date and location of the hearing, a description of the proposed project, and resources for more information.

Planning Manager Daniel Nairn stated, “Public participation is integral to the planning and development process, and the City of Bismarck recognizes that not everyone uses the same channels of information. Signs will be one more way to learn how to be involved.”

Currently, Bismarck announces public hearings through newspapers, postcards sent to nearby property owners, and postings on the city website. The new signs aim to reach people who travel past these locations regularly and may have a direct interest in what happens at those sites.

This initiative is a pilot project overseen by the Board of City Commissioners. Data will be gathered during meetings over the next year to evaluate whether the signs help improve communication with residents.