Dickinson could double in size within 10 years
Dickinson City commissioners got a better idea of how much the city could grow Monday at a commission meeting at City Hall.
- Pickett
Dickinson City commissioners got a better idea of how much the city could grow Monday at a commission meeting at City Hall.
Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson Engineering of Bismarck presented three scenarios to the commissioners, stating the city could double in population in 10 years.
“It’s interesting to note that in all three of these scenarios the 10-year horizon, which we want to be using for planning for infrastructure, all show a demand that doubles the existing housing stock,” Scott Pickett of KLJ said.
An oil boom in western North Dakota has brought more people to the area and will continue to attract others from across the country, Pickett said. The increase in population has prompted the city to look at a comprehensive plan to project population growth.
If oil development occurs at a slow rate, Dickinson’s population could surpass 44,400 residents by 2036. Rapid development would only bring about 41,000 people by the same date with numbers tapering off by 2025.
Commissioners unanimously voted to accept the average methodology, which states almost 43,000 people could live in Dickinson in 20 years.
Dickinson has less than 20,000 official residents, though several people who do not claim residency reside in the city.
Pickett also presented temporary housing forecasts, stating that the average peak will top off at more than 4,300 units in 2015 in Dickinson.
KLJ partnered with North Dakota State University to get the projected population numbers, Pickett said. NDSU has been commissioned by the city to study how many people could come to the area. The university was expected to complete the study at the end of the month, but commissioners unanimously voted to give them a three-month, no-cost extension.
The numbers should not be taken as a prediction but rather a forecast, Pickett said, adding the figures are not concrete.
Despite how fast or slow development is, the city has a good chance of reaching 40,000, Mayor Dennis Johnson said. The numbers will help the city make important decisions regarding infrastructure and housing.
Johnson added after the meeting that it is important to review and update the numbers.
“The energy industry is very volatile,” he said. “Things can change quickly.”
In other news, the commission approved to publicize almost 650 acres for annexation.
Tweeten’s Third Addition includes about two acres immediately west of Highway 22. The land borders the north edge of city limits.
Approximately 130 acres would be annexed west along State Avenue starting at 15th Street West past 21st Street West.
The Sundance Annexation would include more than 510 acres of land stretching almost a mile beyond the east city limits at 10th Avenue East along 21st Street East.
The city is starting to see more requests for annexation and will continue to see more, Commissioner Gene Jackson said. While this particular annexation is a lot, Jackson said it is important to bring the land into city limits to set a precedent for other developers.
“I see it as being mostly a positive thing,” he said.
Those objecting to the annexations will have 30 days to submit written objections. The commission will review those objections during a public hearing July 2 at City Hall.
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