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Planning Commission approves targeted comprehensive plan land‑use updates, backs 1‑acre minimum for low‑density lots
Summary
Pennington County planning staff presented a targeted amendment to the land‑use element of the county comprehensive plan on June 9, proposing a one‑acre minimum for low‑density residential lots and other zoning nomenclature and district changes; the Planning Commission recommended approval.
Pennington County planning staff on June 9 presented a targeted amendment to the land‑use chapter of the county’s comprehensive plan and the Planning Commission voted to recommend the changes.
Planning Director Brittany Molitor said staff had reviewed the county’s future‑land‑use map parcel‑by‑parcel and proposed changes based on existing and anticipated infrastructure, dead‑end road systems, topography and special flood hazard areas. "We looked at existing and anticipated infrastructure, the dead end road systems, topography, special flood hazard areas, surrounding land use and then some new zoning districts," Molitor said, summarizing staff analysis and outreach efforts including three public meetings.
Key proposed changes include a recommended increase in the minimum lot size for the low‑density residential district from one‑half acre to one acre to reflect well and septic practicalities; renaming the suburban and urban residential districts for clarity; combining the commercial and highway service districts and creating a new neighborhood commercial district to allow small‑scale commercial uses; restoring a planned unit development (PUD) district tailored for mixed‑use development; and removing by‑right allowance for large amusement structures from the highway service rules, instead subjecting them to conditional review.
Molitor demonstrated a web tool developed with Rapid City GIS that allows users to enter parcel addresses and view proposed future‑land‑use changes. Staff said many of the largest changes appeared in the Rapid Valley area after the Rapid Valley Sanitary District expanded service and new well infrastructure enabled higher densities.
Commissioners largely praised the effort and asked clarifying questions about churches, how the future‑land‑use map would be updated in county systems, and whether separate commercial PUDs should be available. Molitor said staff will digitize files and work toward integrating mapping and permit systems so parcels and associated permits and conditions are visible online.
The commission voted to approve ordinance amendment OA25‑001 as proposed by staff; the Planning Commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for final action.
