Yankton commission approves rezoning for property on the 1500 block of Whiting Drive

The Yankton City Commission unanimously approved a request to rezone a parcel on the north side of the 1500 block of Whiting Drive from an agricultural/EGG designation to B-2, a general commercial zoning classification.

The rezoning affects property owned by Justice and Michelle Hirschman and lies in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, a zone the city shares with Yankton County. Planning staff advised the commission that the city and Yankton County planning bodies had both reviewed the request and recommended approval.

City planning staff member Mr. Beese said the area is shown as “commercial regional” in the city’s new comprehensive plan and described the rezoning as consistent with the designation, adding that the applicant intends to expand an existing business and later pursue a conditional-use permit for a self-storage facility. “This request is a good fit with that designation and a potential transition to, likely residential occupancies to the north,” Mr. Beese said.

Mr. Beese also explained that because the parcel is in the extraterritorial jurisdiction, the process required coordination with Yankton County. He told the commission staff had mailed and published notice and that no public comments had been received.

After a motion and second, the commission conducted a roll-call vote; every commissioner voted “aye” (Sarta, Conkling, Hanoff, Mosher, Spencer, Benson, Birch, Brunick and Mayor Villanueva). The motion passed.

The commission’s approval rezones only the subject parcel; Mr. Beese said further subdivision or development would trigger additional review and permit requirements. A separate agenda item for a conditional-use permit for a self‑storage facility was noted as forthcoming and will require a distinct review and decision.