Jamestown Planning Commission Approves 80-Acre Buffalo Estates Master Plan

The Jamestown Planning Commission unanimously approved an 80-acre master plan for Buffalo Estates, a residential development put forward by Ski Son Development, at a special meeting on Feb. 25, 2026. The tract sits between 5th Street Northeast and 13th Street Northeast, west of 27th Avenue Northeast, and the plan proposes access from 5th Street NE, 13th Street NE and 27th Avenue NE.

Zoning administrator Tom Blackmore framed the approval as part of a broader push to increase housing supply tied to local employers. “This plan, I feel, it meets the need that the city identified in working with a lot of the business owners, larger employers around the community in identifying that Jamestown really needs more housing,” Blackmore said. He added, “We need more developable lots, developed lots. So it's a goal that feels it’s being achieved with this plan.”

City planning materials and the Jamestown Sun reporting show the master plan envisions regrading an existing low area and creating a chain of lakes and stormwater ponds to meet municipal stormwater requirements. Lowry, a project representative whose first name was not provided at the meeting, described the concept: “That’s why the goal would be to take the existing low area, expand on that and then create a series of lakes, stormwater ponds.” Lowry said about “1 ½ stormwater ponds are needed to support stormwater management that the city requires,” and that the locations for two additional ponds have not yet been fixed and will be constructed in phases.

Commission chairman Dave Hillerud emphasized flexibility in sequencing as the neighborhood develops, noting the plan could evolve over time. “That’s why you have to kind of be a little flexible … but I just think the concept is great,” Hillerud said, adding the first construction could begin in the southeast or southwest corner, or possibly the northeast corner depending on market demand.

The master plan document referenced in local reporting appears as a graphic file named Proposed Buffalo Estates Master Plan2.jpg, and a site photo credited to Masaki Ova was published alongside the coverage. The Planning Commission’s unanimous vote cleared the master plan stage, but the record presented at the meeting did not include several development specifics: the number and sizes of lots, housing types, developer contact information for Ski Son Development, the identity and title of Lowry, infrastructure financing and construction responsibilities, and any required subsequent city council plats or subdivision agreements.

For context on typical next steps, subdivision agreements in other jurisdictions commonly require developers to submit city- and state‑approved water and sanitary plans and to negotiate utility installations; one such example is the Buffalo Ridge Estates agreement used in Buffalo, Wyoming, which spells out developer obligations to obtain environmental approvals and install utilities per city standards.

Jamestown’s approval is intended to increase developable lots in line with the city’s stated housing goals, while stormwater phasing will be central to opening the western portions of the site.