Clay County commissioners close public hearing on rezoning at 46925 South Dakota Highway 46, move proposal to second reading

The Clay County Board of Commissioners closed a public hearing and voted to move a rezoning proposal for land at 46925 South Dakota Highway 46 to a second reading, the board said during its meeting. The hearing concerned a plan to rezone parcels for 17 residential lots and a separate request to rezone a parcel to C‑1 commercial for an office.

A project representative summarized the proposal, saying the request covers two separate rezoning actions: one to rezone land "from A‑1 to rural residential for 17 residential property lots," and a second to rezone a parcel "from agriculture to C‑1 commercial for an office," providing the legal descriptions presented at the hearing. The representative said the project follows the creek bed and that the plan includes a new driveway entrance and other adjustments intended to address safety and access.

County staff and residents questioned infrastructure details. Several public commenters said the developer and Clay County Water would install a new main line — described in public comment as roughly three miles of new main — and said the developer planned an 8‑inch line to serve the development. One resident said the new main would increase pressure and volume for existing customers; another asked for clarification about where the new connection would tie into the existing system.

Commissioners noted that an additional driveway entrance was added to reduce safety concerns on Highway 46 and described it as placed near an existing field access. A resident asked whether the driveway would address a blind‑spot concern; a commissioner said staff had reviewed the site and that the change was intended to alleviate that problem.

Speakers at the hearing included a project representative, county staff, multiple residents who gave public comment (some who gave street addresses), and Mayor Eli Gilly of Biersburg, who county staff said submitted an email endorsing the project on behalf of the Biersburg School District and the Biersburg community.

After public comment, a commissioner moved to close the public hearing and set the proposal for a second reading; the motion received a second and passed on a voice vote. County staff said the first reading will be published and the second reading scheduled with the legally required notices and timing between meetings.

The hearing record included the project's legal descriptions and the developer's statements about water infrastructure and traffic mitigation. County staff said they would publish the first reading and arrange the second reading according to publication and posting requirements.

The commission did not take final action on the rezoning during the meeting; the vote was limited to closing the public hearing and moving the ordinance to its next reading.

For now, the proposal remains under consideration pending the second reading and any additional staff reports or public input.