Joint planning commissions recommend rezoning of Outlots 10–11 to B-3 heavy business

The Brookings County and City of Brookings joint planning commissions voted to recommend that Outlots 10 and 11 in the joint jurisdiction be rezoned from joint jurisdiction agricultural to joint jurisdiction B‑3 heavy business district, forwarding the application from RW Properties LLC by Ryan White to the Brookings County Commission and the Brookings City Council for final decisions.

The recommendation matters locally because the property sits adjacent to existing B‑3 zoning on South Main Avenue and because a city comprehensive plan amendment approved in late 2024 changed the future land‑use designation in the area to “medium intensity,” which city planner Ryan Miller said supports a mix of residential and business districts including B‑3. Miller also noted that an existing residence on one lot would become a nonconforming use under the ordinance and would be subject to Section 94‑41, the city’s nonconforming‑use clause.

The commission reviewed a staff report describing the site as Outlots 10 and 11 in the west half of the south half of the northeast quarter of Section 11, Township 109 North, Range 50 West (Madera Township). Each lot is 50 feet wide east–west and 298.5 feet long north–south; combined the lots measure 300 feet by 298.5 feet. The platting date in the record is Oct. 2, 1972; zoning history cited by staff shows zoning in Brookings County beginning in 1976 and the joint jurisdictional area established in June 1980.

Applicant Ryan White, identified in the record as owner of RW Properties LLC, told commissioners he had discussed local conditions, including the private road, with the previous owner before buying the property. White said he understood the road to be private and maintained by residents and that “I have no problem maintaining the road,” and that he “does not have any plans to put anything out there right now.”

Two residents spoke in opposition at the public hearing. Cindy Schmidt, who identified herself as the property owner at 52136 30th Street South, asked who would pay to maintain the road if the area converts to business zoning: “Who’s paying for the road? Us residents have paid for it since it was put in. My father put it in somewhere in the early seventies.” A second nearby resident, identified in the record as Mark (transcript: “Mark Godland” / earlier referenced as “Mark Oglund”), said his property adjoins the lot with the manufactured home and expressed concern that B‑3 zoning could allow nonresidential uses — including, he said, a materials yard or other business — that would conflict with the existing residential character.

Planning staff responded that the road was platted for use by occupants of the lots but is not maintained by the county or city; staff said residents would need to establish a road district for public maintenance if they wanted public takeover. Staff and the applicant also noted municipal water and sewer limitations in the area that make placing new homes on Outlot 11 difficult, a constraint cited by the applicant in explaining why he intends to keep the existing rental rather than add new dwellings.

Staff advised that outdoor storage for a materials yard would require a special exception in the joint jurisdiction, not automatic approval under B‑3, and the development review team recommended approval based on the comprehensive plan amendment and compatibility with adjacent B‑3 zoning to the west.

The joint commissions moved to recommend the rezoning. On the county side the motion passed on a unanimous roll call of the commissioners present; recorded county names in the transcript included Paulson, Mark, Clark, Kyle Vanderwall, Neil Troyan, Randy Jensen, Kelly Vanderwall, Storehagen (alternate), and Kleinjohn (all recorded as voting “aye”). On the city side the roll call recorded Schmeichel, Limmer, Jameson, Spear, Henrick, Solemn, Aiken and Lehi as voting “yes” on the recommendation. The application was identified in staff materials as 2025 RZ001; the city staff memo notes that, if recommended, the item would be introduced at the City Council meeting on Feb. 18 and set for public hearing on March 11.

The commissions’ recommendations do not themselves change zoning; final action will be by the Brookings County Commission and the Brookings City Council. The staff report and applicant comments indicated no immediate construction plans and confirmed that existing uses will be governed by the city’s nonconforming‑use provisions (Section 94‑41) should the rezoning be approved.

A copy of the staff report, the applicant’s submittal, the plat, and photos of the site were included in the commission packet. No formal conditions or amendments to the motion were recorded in the transcript. The public hearing was closed before the votes to forward the recommendation.