Council approves new civic zoning district ordinance to centralize public facilities

The Brookings City Council held a public hearing and approved Ordinance 25-002, creating a new civic zoning district intended for public uses such as municipal buildings, schools and other large campus-style facilities.

Mike Schrucker, community development director, said the civic district is intended to provide a clearer zoning home for public facilities that sometimes sit in residential districts and can raise concerns among neighbors. He said the new district includes setback, lot-area and height standards and that some design controls would be applied through the city's development-review processes. The planning commission recommended the ordinance 6-1.

Councilmember Doran asked how the transition would work for existing properties. Schrucker said rezoning would not be forced; the city would likely begin by rezoning city-owned parks and facilities and could incorporate school-district properties or other public uses if those owners sought it. He said churches would be considered case-by-case and that uses removed from other districts would become nonconforming with limits on expansion, which could prompt moves toward the civic district over time.

The council approved the ordinance by roll call. Schrucker said the change aims to hold public facilities to higher design standards while creating a predictable process for public input and site review when large public uses are proposed.

The ordinance generally takes effect following publication in accordance with city procedures and any required waiting period under city code.