The Bemidji Planning Commission voted 6-0, with one member abstaining, Monday night to recommend approval of the preliminary plat of the former Bemidji High School property. Commissioner Travis Guida abstained from voting because he is employed by the Bemidji School District.
In its preliminary plat application to the city, the Bemidji School District requested permission to subdivide the property into four parcels. The district is currently in negotiations to sell three of the parcels to the Bemidji State University Foundation. The fourth parcel consisting of the J.W. Smith Elementary School property will be kept by the school district.
On Monday night, Chris Leinen, the district's director of business services, outlined the subdivision request to the Bemidji School Board before he went to the Planning Commission meeting.
At the Planning Commision meeting, City Planner Curt Oakes said the BSU Foundation has not indicated how it plans to use the property.
The Bemidji City Council will consider the Planning Commission's recommendation at a later meeting.
