Huron commission approves three variances, authorizes Northern State MOU and community permits

HURON, S.D. — The Huron City Commission on Aug. 25 approved three land-use variances affecting residential properties, authorized a memorandum of understanding to allow Northern State University programming at Huron Community Campus, approved routine consent items and a parade route, and heard a public complaint about gravel on Frontier Drive.

City Planner Barry Cranston presented the three variance requests during a Board of Adjustment session that the commission convened at the start of the meeting. Cranston said each application met typical setbacks and coverage rules except where code limits were stricter: one request exceeded the city's newly clarified 25-foot height limit for accessory buildings; another sought a reduced alley setback for a garage entrance; and the third would split two parcels into lots smaller than zoning minimums established after March 2002.

The most contested request was from Brandon Ransom, who sought approval to construct a new two-story detached garage at 375 Fifth Street NE that would reach 29 feet in height where the accessory-structure limit is 25 feet. Cranston said the application otherwise complied with setbacks and the 45% lot-coverage rule, and that the existing tall garage on the lot had not been permitted and therefore was not formally sited. Ransom told commissioners the new structure was intended for personal vehicles and equipment including a tractor. Commissioner discussion centered on height, whether building-code requirements would change for a taller accessory building, and the existing unsited structure. Cranston said, "This request came before the hearing examiner" and that staff and the hearing examiner recommended approval.

Commissioners…