HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCMinutes_2025_06_03Planning Commission
Brookings, South Dakota
June 3, 2025
OFFICIAL MINUTES
Chairperson Scot Leddy called the meeting of the Planning Commission to order on Tuesday, June 3,
2025, at 5:30 PM in the Council Chambers Room #310 on the third floor of the City & County
Government Center. Members present were Tanner Aiken, Emily Braun, Billie Jo Hinrichs, Kyle
Jamison, Scot Leddy, Jacob Limmer, Roger Solum and Debra Spear. Nick Schmeichel was absent.
Also present were Community Development Director Michael Struck, City Planner Ryan Miller and
Associate Planner Bailey Maca.-Also present were Kurt Gutormson, Susan Gannon, Richard Howey,
Matt Wagner, Kyle Rausch and Alicia Haich from the public.
Item #1— Roll Call
Item #2 — Approval of Agenda
(Solum/Limmer) Motion to approve the agenda. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.
Item #3 — Approval of Minutes
(Limmer/Solum) Motion to approve the May 6, 2025 Minutes. All present voted aye. MOTION
CARRIED.
Introduction of Bailey Maca, Associate Planner
Item #4 — Convene as Board of Adjustment
Item #4a — Kurt Gutormson has made a request for a 7 -foot side yard setback variance on Lot 5 in
Block 1 of Gilkerson Second Addition. The minimum required side yard setback in the Industrial I-1
Light District is 20 feet. Staff recommends. denial.
(Limmer/Solum) Motion to approve the side yard setback variance. All present voted nay. MOTION
FAILED
Item #4b — Susan Gannon has made a request for a variance to allow an accessory structure located in
the front yard area on Lot 34B Onaka Village of Indian Hills Addition, also known as 1100 Crystal
Ridge Road. Staff recommends approval.
(Aiken/Limmer) Motion to approve the accessory structure variance. Aiken, Jamison, Limmer and
Solum voted aye. Spear, Hinrichs and Braun voted nay. MOTION FAILED
Item 94c — Richard Howey has made a request for variances on the North 52.36 Feet of Lot 2 and the
South 8 Feet of Lot 1 in Block 2 of Orchard Drive Addition, also known as 215 Medary Avenue South.
The first request is to build a single-family dwelling on a 60.36 -foot -wide lot. The second request is to
build a single-family dwelling on a lot less than 10,000 square feet in size. The third request is for a 5 -
foot setback for an accessory structure. Staff recommends approval of all three variance requests.
(Limmer/Solum) Motion to approve the lot width and lot area variances. All present voted aye.
MOTION CARRIED
(Limmer/Solum) Motion to approve the 5 -foot setback variance. All present voted aye. MOTION
CARRIED
Item #5 — Reconvene as Planning Commission
Item #5a — Matt Wagner has submitted a Future Land Use Map revision for 3707 Main Avenue South.
The request is to change the Future Land Use Map from Open Wetland/Urban Low Intensity to Urban
Medium Intensity. Staff recommends approval of the request.
(Solum/Spear) Motion to approve the Future Land Use Map Amendment. All present voted aye.
MOTION CARRIED.
Item 45b — Dakota Land Design, LLC has submitted a site plan at 2118 Main Avenue South for
review within the Commercial Corridor Design Review Overlay District. Staff recommends approval.
(Limmer/Solum) Motion to approve the Commercial Corridor Design Review Overlay District. All
present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.
Item 95c — The City of Brookings is proposing amendments to Chapter 94 Zoning pertaining to the
expiration of a conditional use permit for the purpose of administration of the Zoning Ordinance. Staff
recommends approval.
(Aiken/Jamison) Motion to approve the amendments to Chapter 94 Zoning Ordinance. All present
voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.
Item #5d — The City of Brookings is proposing amendments to Chapter 94 Zoning for the purpose of
regulating the use of a concrete, asphalt and rock crushing facility. The use would be allowed as a
conditional use with proposed conditional use standards. Staff recommends approval.
(Limmer/Solum) Motion to approve the amendments to Chapter 94 Zoning Ordinance including
adding commercial to (c). All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.
Item #6 — Adjourn
(Limmer/Solum) Motion to adjourn.
The meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m.
Ryan Miller
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Scot Ledd , a4=skn
Planning Commission
Brookings, South Dakota
June 3, 2025
OFFICIAL SUMMARY
Chairperson Scot Leddy called the meeting of the Planning Commission to order on Tuesday, June 3,
2025, at 5:30 PM in the Council Chambers Room #310 on the third floor of the City & County
Government Center. Members present were Tanner Aiken, Emily Braun, Billie Jo Hinrichs, Kyle
Jamison, Scot Leddy, Jacob Limmer, Roger Solum and Debra Spear. Nick Schmeichel was absent.
Also present were Community Development Director Michael Struck, City Planner Ryan Miller and
Associate Planner Bailey Maca. Also present were Kurt Gutormson, Susan Gannon, Richard Howey,
Matt Wagner, Kyle Rausch and Alicia Haich from the public.
Item #1— Roll Call
Item #2 — Approval of Agenda
Item #3 — Approval of Minutes
Item #4 — Convene as Board of Adjustment
Item #4a — Kurt Gutormson has made a request for a 7 -foot side yard setback variance on Lot 5 in
Block I of Gilkerson Second Addition to construct a 40' x 224' building. The minimum required side
yard setback in the Industrial I-1 Light District is 20 feet. The lot is currently vacant but includes an
access drive for contractor shops located at 300 32nd Avenue. The two lots, along with adjacent lots to
the south and east, are owned in common by Maize Properties Inc.
Hinrichs inquired what the adjacent businesses were. Miller stated that to the south was SoDak Labs
and to the north and east were contractor shops. Hinrichs asked how many units were proposed and
their uses. Gutormson stated that they currently lease out the building to the north as contractor shops
and the proposed structure would be approximately twelve additional contractor shops. Limmer asked
the reasoning for the replat recommendation. Miller stated that a replat is an option to solve the
problem where a variance would be reserved for situations where there were no other methods of
resolution. Limmer asked for the applicant's perspective of the denial recommendation. Gutormson
stated that there were other properties in the vicinity that were granted similar variances and the cost
associated with a replat was more significant. Miller explained that there were similar variances
granted on properties to the north, however, those properties did not have an option to replat.
Item #4b — Susan Gannon has made a request for a variance to allow an accessory structure located in
the front yard area on Lot 34B Onaka Village of Indian Hills Addition, also known as 1100 Crystal
Ridge Road. The property is half of a duplex located at the corner of Crystal Ridge Road and Indian
Hills Road. The applicant has placed an 8'x10' shed on a poured concrete pad located within the front
yard of Indian Hills Road. The location of this shed is prohibited per Section 94-399 (c)(5)(e) which
states that front yards of lots with residential uses shall be devoted entirely to landscaped area except
for the necessary surfacing of driveways and walkways used to reach parking and loading areas. The
size of the shed does not require a building pen -nit.
Gannon asked Planning Commission to consider allowing her to keep the shed at its current location
citing that there is not another location on the property to place the structure. Hinrichs requested
further information on the site photos. Gannon stated that they show the slope that is unique to their
site. Limmer asked if neighbors had expressed concerns. Gannon stated they are supportive of the
request. Hinrichs asked if there is a homeowner's association. Gannon confirmed that there is. The
only other member is the owner of the other side of the duplex, who does not object. Aiken inquired
how corner lots are handled for zoning purposes. Miller explained that any sides of the property
abutting a right of way are front yards and due to the common wall of the duplex, one side yard is
eliminated. Anything except driveways, sidewalks and landscaping are prohibited in the front yard.
Item #4c — Richard Howey has made a request for variances on the North 52.36 Feet of Lot 2 and the
South 8 Feet of Lot 1 in Block 2 of Orchard Drive Addition, also known as 215 Medary Avenue South.
The first request is to build a single-family dwelling on a 60.36 -foot -wide lot. The second request is to
build a single-family dwelling on a lot less than 10,000 square feet in size. The third request is for a 5 -
foot setback for an accessory structure. A fire has destroyed the home and the owner proposes to
demolish the existing structure and rebuild a single-family dwelling on the same lot. The applicant
would like to retain the existing detached garage which avoided significant damage in the fire.
Howey stated that the garage setback leaves the existing garage and would allow future construction of
a 3 -stall garage. He has left enough room to construct the new garage with setbacks at a later date. At
that time his intent is to demolish the single stall garage and relocate the driveway. Aiken asked what
the difference was between the minimum lot area required and what is present. Miller stated that the
minimum required lot size is 10,000 sq ft and the parcel is roughly 9,000 sq ft.
Item #5 — Reconvene as Planning Commission
Item #5a — Matt Wagner has submitted a Future Land Use Map revision for 3707 Main Avenue South.
The request is to change the Future Land Use Map from Open Wetland/Urban Low Intensity to Urban
Medium Intensity. The property does not appear to be impacted by delineated wetlands, however,
based on the development suitability map the property is likely impacted by high water table and
relatively low and flat topography. This development constraint can be mitigated by grading as
necessary. The property is not located within the floodplain.
Wagner had consulted with Civil Design Incorporated prior to purchasing the property and was assured
that there were no wetlands recorded with the fish and wildlife services. He also confirmed that the
property was not deemed too low to be built on. With recent Future Land Use Map Amendments, the
request for Urban Medium Intensity is in line with the region. He also noted that the existing
designation refers to Open Space and Floodplain where this property is Open Space more so than
Wetland. Hinrichs inquired the difference between wetland and Open Space on the future land use
map. Miller stated that the Open Space wetland is area similar to the floodplain with low lying areas
that are wet and historic drainage. Floodplain is a delineated location identified by the federal
government for the purpose of homeowners insurance.
Item #5b — Dakota Land Design, LLC has submitted a site plan at 2118 Main Avenue South for
review within the Commercial Corridor Design Review Overlay District. Dakota Land Design
previously submitted a site plan in September 2023 which approved the original phase of construction.
The first phase was constructed according to the approved plans and the owner is now proposing an
addition to the north side of the existing structure. The 2,362 square foot addition will allow for
business growth.
Haich, project designer, explained that the applicant is not requesting any further exceptions and is
seeking to expand their business at this time. Limmer asked if the City Council had approved the
Commercial Corridor Design Review Overlay Ordinance Amendment and if the Planning Commission
would have still seen the request if it had. Struck explained that Planning Commission would not have
seen this request due to the site plan meeting all requirements. However, they would have seen the
original plan since there were requested exceptions. Hinrichs asked how much additional parking was
required due to the expansion. Miller stated that the expansion increased the parking requirements by
four spaces and there is space on site for additional parking if needed in the future.
Item #5c — The City of Brookings is proposing amendments to Chapter 94 Zoning pertaining to the
expiration of a conditional use permit for the purpose of administration of the Zoning Ordinance.
Currently, a Conditional Use Permit expires after one year from the date upon which it becomes
effective if no significant work has commenced. Staff is recommending to amend the expiration date
from one to two years.
Limmer stated that another approach the problem would be to redefine "significant work." Miller
stated that it is another option, however, the request as proposed is to change the expiration to 2 years.
Hinrichs was pleased that the city utilized a measure of time.
Item #5d — The City of Brookings is proposing amendments to Chapter 94 Zoning for the purpose of
regulating the use of a concrete, asphalt and rock crushing facility. The use would be allowed as a
conditional use with proposed conditional use standards. A concrete, asphalt or rock crushing facility is
currently not defined as a use in the zoning ordinance. Other similar uses such as mining or concrete
plant are defined, however the use of crushing specifically and individually is not defined.
Struck requested amending Item (c) to "Hours of operation shall be limited to 7 am to 6 pm Monday
through Saturday when abutting Agricultural or Industrial Zoned Properties and 8 am to 5 pm Monday
through Friday when abutting properties other than Agricultural or Industrial." Limmer made a motion
to approve the request including the amended Item (c) and Solum seconded the motion. Aiken asked
what previously happened with rock crushing. Struck stated that there was not previously an ordinance
which led to crushing being performed on vacant parcels causing problems on adjacent properties.
Struck expanded that it is a good re -use for these materials and needs to be accounted for in ordinance.
Hinrichs asked what determined the distances requested in the ordinance. Struck stated that these
distances were obtained from other municipalities ordinances as there is not a lot of communities with
this type of ordinance in place.
Item #6 — Adiourn
The meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m.
Ryan Miller
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Scot Leddy, ha rp, on