Jamestown board to hear variance request for Evergreen Circle property

If Jamestown approves the request for 715 Evergreen Circle NW, it would allow a front-yard accessory structure on a lot where the owner is asking for a rear-yard variance instead. That sounds narrow, but for neighbors on the block it is the kind of decision that can shape how tightly the city enforces setback rules, where detached buildings can go, and how much flexibility future property owners can expect.

The Jamestown Board of Adjustment was scheduled to take up case number 1159 at 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 13, at City Hall. The item was posted as a public hearing, and the agenda said residents could attend in person or follow remotely by Microsoft Teams or phone. The applicant is seeking permission tied to 715 Evergreen Cir NW, Jamestown, ND 58401, where the request calls for a rear-yard variance to place an accessory structure in the front yard.

That makes the hearing more than a simple lot-by-lot exception. Jamestown’s Planning and Zoning Department handles land-use regulations for the city and its one-mile extraterritorial area, including variances and lot combinations, so the board’s decision sits inside the city’s larger zoning framework. The board’s listed members are Brian Kilzer, Darrell Losing, James Weight and Timothy Nill.

For nearby property owners, the practical concern is whether one approved exception becomes the first step toward broader changes in how subdivision rules are applied. Detached garages, sheds and other accessory buildings can affect sight lines, yard setbacks and the uniform look of a neighborhood. That is why variance hearings often draw attention even when they involve a single address.

Jamestown has seen similar requests before. A May 14, 2025 Board of Adjustment agenda included a request for a 2.2% or 152-square-foot lot-coverage variance at 401 14th St. NE, showing that the city regularly weighs how much a property can deviate from zoning standards. The current zoning ordinance, revised June 2, 2025 and posted as Appendix C, remains the governing rulebook for those decisions.

After the hearing, the Jamestown City Building Inspector was set to review the application. Board agendas and minutes are also posted through the city’s agenda center, giving residents a public record of how the city handles each request as Jamestown continues to balance neighborhood appearance, property use and the pressure of custom improvements.