Getting taller: Detroit Lakes Planning Commission recommends 4-story buildings across three business zones

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – Some commercial buildings in Detroit Lakes could be getting taller in the near future.

During their April 27 meeting, the Detroit Lakes planning commission recommended approval of a zoning ordinance change that would increase the maximum allowable building height for businesses in a B-2 or B-3 zoning district.

Larry Remmen, community development director for Detroit Lakes, said the change would even the height requirements across all three of the city’s main commercial business districts.

“What this potential ordinance change would do is allow four-story buildings in the B-2 and B-3 districts up to 60 feet tall,” said Remmen. He added the B-1 commercial business district already allows for four-story buildings.

Additionally, Remmen said, the new change would allow for residential units to be built above the first floor of any B-3 commercial district.

Liz Foster-Anderson, a planning commission member said: “In looking at some of the businesses that are actually defined as permitted uses … within the B-3 district, there are several things, for example, processing plants, office buildings, minor fabrication and repair structures, things of those nature, and I don’t see a problem in taking a look at four-story (building) versus a three-story based on some of the permitted uses within those zonings.”

The ordinance change is expected to be addressed by the Detroit Lakes City Council during their next meeting on May 9 at 5 p.m. at the Becker County Courthouse.