Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corporation (JSDC)has approved two items in an effort to streamline the process of selling lots in the I-94 Business Park.

One measure would implement a questionnaire for prospective buyers, and would be graded, and only businesses with a high enough ranking would be approved to purchase lots.

The other measure would establish a template for a standard sales agreement based on the sales agreement being developed for the sale of lots offered by Dean Hafner.

This process would be done by JSDC staff and would not require the review of the JSDC Board of Directors.

The sale of the lot could then be reviewed by the City Council and Stutsman County Commission in less than 30 days after the agreement is reached.

Hafner plans to build a showroom and office space for a building trade businesses.

The JSDC Board, and Executive committee in January this year approved Hafner’s offer to purchase one and a half lots and requested a right of first refusal on an additional lot.

The request was heard by the Jamestown City Council and the Stutsman County Commission in February. The County Commission approved the sale then, the City Council made its approval pending a review by the city attorney.

Jamestown Mayor Katie Andersen said the final approval has been delayed while City Attorney Leo Ryan and JSDC attorney Joe Larson were working out details of the sales agreement.

Andersen said Ryan and Larson had exchanged drafts of the document early Monday this week, and a finalized sales agreement could be prepared for Hafner to review soon.

Hafner asked for a time limit of 90 days for finalizing documents.

The sales agreement must also meet the requirements of North Dakota law regarding economic incentives for businesses because the lots are being sold for less than market value as an inducement for development.

Tim Nill offered to purchase a lot in October. While the purchase agreement has not been finalized, Nill has already begun construction on the building.

In other business, the JSDC Executive Committee approved an extension of the lease for an office building used by UTC Aerospace Systems and tabled for further review an update to the JSDC policy manual.