Crew camps grew in popularity as more workers came to the area in 2012 and needed temporary housing.
County officials across southwest North Dakota began approving additional camps to meet the growing demand for housing.
In May, Dunn County lifted a crew camp moratorium June 1 to allow workers more options for affordable housing.
Sandy Rohde, planning and zoning administrator, told the commission that she received daily requests from oil workers who were looking for places to park their RVs for three months.
Then in June, the Dunn County Planning and Zoning Commission at the Dunn County Courthouse in Manning approved a 500-unit crew camp in the Five Diamond Industrial Park, which sits on approximately 140 acres on the Dunn/Stark county line immediately northwest of Highway 22, said Brian Hymel of Draper, Utah-based Five Diamond Fund Managers.
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The lodging facility was to be built in two 250-unit phases, Hymel added, and was to be finished as early as late fall this year. FDFM left open the option to apply for additional units, depending on the market.
The commission also reviewed a permit to add on 400 rooms to Target Logistics's 400-unit crew camp near Joy Haven, which is eight miles north of Dickinson.
At the end of the year, the Stark County Commission began talking about making changes to county ordinances regarding crew camp fees, which was a recommendation of the county zoning board.
The commissioners would have to decide how to use the fees. Possible uses of the funds could include being used to help fund emergency services or road improvements that are necessary due to the creation of the crew camps.
Editor's Note: This story is the eighth in a series of The Dickinson Press' top 10 stories of the year. Previously on the list:
4: Rocky year for DSU
5: Tragedy in New Town
6: Small western ND cities see economic, housing boom
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7: Rents double, triple; housing construction industry taking off
8: Dry conditions lead to months-long burn bans, wildfires
9: Property tax bill shot down, Heitkamp beats Berg in election
10: Controversy with Stark County Sheriff Clarence Tuhy
