Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning board approves variance to create a 5.02‑acre lot in agricultural district
Summary
Pennington County Planning staff recommended denial and suggested rezoning, but the Board of Adjustment approved a lot‑size variance allowing a 5.02‑acre parcel in an Agricultural zoning district near White Buffalo Road.
The Pennington County Board of Adjustment on July 15 approved variance COVA‑25‑0012 to allow a 5.02‑acre parcel to be created within an Agricultural zoning district.
Megan Talmage, county planner, explained staff’s two‑prong variance review and said staff recommended denying the variance because the parcel could be rezoned to a more appropriate district; the county’s future land‑use map shows the area as suitable for ranchette zoning (five‑acre lots). The applicant’s surveyor, John Van Beek of Avid4 Engineering, told the board the request is intended to create a single 5.02‑acre lot for a family residence while keeping the balance of the ranch in General Agriculture to preserve cattle operations and avoid re‑limiting grazing capacity.
After limited public discussion, Commissioner Jason Durr moved to approve the variance; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.
Decision vs discussion: staff noted rezoning was the cleaner option in planning terms; the board instead approved a variance, which permits the immediate lot configuration without requiring a rezone. The decision will allow the property owner to proceed with a 5.02‑acre parcel; the county retained jurisdiction on any subsequent plats or subdivisions.
Ending: The approved variance applies only to the parcel in question; staff noted that the county’s planning jurisdiction borders the City of Rapid City’s three‑mile area in the location of the property and that further platting will proceed under county standards.
