Council approves R-3 rezoning and Prairie Sunset preliminary plat after neighbors raise drainage, sewer concerns

The Brookings City Council on Jan. 27 approved rezoning for 1115 West Twentieth Street South from an agricultural district to a Residence R-3 apartment district and adopted the Prairie Sunset preliminary plat, a 30.46-acre large-scale residential development plan that shows 41 twin-home lots and 17 single-family lots.

The rezoning and preliminary plat drew public comment from nearby residents and extended discussion among city staff and the developer about drainage, sanitary sewer capacity and long-term oversight. Resident Kristen Olk, who said she lives at 1206 West Twentieth Street, urged the council to “reconsider” the R-3 designation and raised detailed concerns about the area’s classification in the city’s comprehensive plan and past flooding at her property. “When I called the water department and asked for a city or to have a water test kit, I was told, don't worry about it. It's probably no big deal,” she said,…