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Planning Commission Special Meeting
July 19, 2011
Chairperson Al Heuton called the special meeting of the City Planning
Commission to order on July 19, 2011, at 7:00 PM in the Meeting Room at City Hall.
Members present were Wayne Avery, Hal Bailey, Mike Cameron, Donna DeKraai,
Greg Fargen, Alan Gregg, John Sydow, and Heuton. John Gustafson was absent.
Others present were David Chicoine, Kelly Thoms, Pat Fishback, Larry Fjeldos, John
Mills, Mayor Tim Reed, Community Development Director Mike Struck, Planning and
Zoning Administrator Dan Hanson, and others.
Item #1 – (Gregg/DeKraai) Motion to approve the agenda. All present voted aye.
MOTION CARRIED.
Item #2 – David Chicoine, South Dakota State University President, distributed a
pamphlet containing future plans for the campus. He indicated that it was a draft
document from April, and the information would be reviewed again on August 18.
The plan contained aerial views of the campus layout. Chicoine noted that
elements of the 2002 Comprehensive Plan were still relevant regarding the shifting
of parking lots to the outer “ring” of the campus and creating pedestrian space in
and around the campus core.
Campus life was grouped into four categories – staff/faculty, commuter
students, dorm students, and visitors. Of these, the residential life component was
undergoing the most change. SDSU was also proposing several strategies for the
campus such as:
Increase the graduation rate from 54% - 60%
Move some undergraduate students from the northwest to southeast part of
campus
Create a (landscape) buffer zone on the south side of 8th Street between 11th
and 12th Avenue and 13th and 14th Avenue. SDSU was not interested in the
southeast quadrant of Medary Avenue and 8th Street.
Continue to establish an internal walking campus
Remove the road by the Rotunda
Relocate non-educational services to the outer perimeter of the campus
Install student-based services in Medary Commons
Plan for an 800 bed complex east of the Newman Center
Consolidate up to five new Greek organizations along 20th Avenue
Chicoine stated that based on infrastructure and staff limitations, enrollment
may max out at about 12,500 students. Another factor relating to growth was that
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research investment dollars were leveling off too. In regards to students on campus,
he felt the northwest corridor plan was still viable.
The Planning Commission reviewed previously submitted data regarding
vacant commercial space and buildings throughout Brookings. DeKraai asked if
there was a need to have commercial land in close proximity to SDSU. She noted
that there were several historical homes in the neighborhood. Village Square Mall
was on the east edge of the campus now and was within walking distance.
Chicoine felt that commercial uses nearby were important so students could get
there on foot. He felt it was rare not to have a commercial area nearby for a
university this large.
Avery and Bailey felt an area larger than the south campus neighborhood
could be examined. Sydow inquired if the city could support additional
commercial areas without negatively impacting other businesses. Gregg felt that a
few key businesses could enhance a neighborhood, but 6th Street would be
important for a successful operation. Heuton preferred limited changes as an initial
step. Cameron noted that Oregon State had a campus town designed like a
downtown. DeKraai also remarked that University City in St. Louis was an attractive
area.
Kelly Thoms, a faculty member, felt that if you mix commercial in the south
campus neighborhood, it may be difficult to maintain the residential character.
John Mills, a local developer, commented that the proximity of the campus to
downtown was an issue. He wondered if it could be connected through mass
transit. Pat Fishback, a resident, pointed out that North Dakota State University had
a shuttle bus that transported students around town. She felt that NDSU and
downtown Fargo were well connected because of the transit system.
Larry Fjeldos, a resident, remarked that the market is efficient and solutions
would be found. He advised the commission not to be obstructionists to
development. Chicoine added that the scale of any development would be
created by the market.
Heuton asked the commission how they wanted to move forward. Fargen felt
that aesthetics were an important element, but the overall level of restrictions
incorporated into a planned development needed to be monitored. The
commission was interested in comparing other university communities with similar
issues such as the two mentioned earlier.
The meeting was adjourned.
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_______________________ ______________________
Dan Hanson, Secretary Al Heuton, Chairperson
Planning & Zoning Administrator