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 approved Ransom's variance and added a condition requiring the existing unsited garage's siding and related permit work be completed in conjunction with the new build. The motion, as amended on the floor, passed on roll call.

The commission also approved a variance for Dan Myers at 1146 Kansas NE to allow a detached garage 14 feet from the east property line where code normally requires 20 feet when a garage door faces an alley. Cranston explained applicants told the hearing examiner they would use the primary driveway entrance and only access the alley when necessary; the hearing examiner suggested a condition limiting long-term parking in the alleyway, but commissioners removed an enforceability-focused restriction and approved the 14-foot setback. Cranston noted that alley-blocking is already restricted under public safety rules.

A third variance approved would allow a subdivision of two parcels at 864 Utah SE and 429 Ninth Street SE, proposed by Regan Glanzer, trustee for the estate of Rosella Glanzer. The split would create one parcel about 4,990 square feet, smaller than the 10,000-square-foot minimum required for lots platted after March 2002. Cranston said the hearing examiner and staff recommended approval provided an off-street parking stall was installed to offset loss of on-street parking along the north side of Ninth Street, which is a posted snow route. Glanzer agreed to install a drive-over parking pad built to city engineering specifications; commissioners approved the variance with that requirement.

Votes at a glance

- Variance: 375 Fifth Street NE (Brandon Ransom) ' accessory building height to 29 feet (25 feet allowed). Outcome: Approved (motion amended to require siding/permit completion for existing garage). Roll call: ayes recorded; motion carried.

- Variance: 1146 Kansas NE (Dan Myers) ' detached garage 14-foot setback from east lot line where 20 feet required for alley-facing doors. Outcome: Approved (condition limiting long-term alley parking removed). Roll call: ayes recorded; motion carried.

- Variance: 864 Utah SE & 429 Ninth St SE (Regan Glanzer, trustee) ' subdivision creating a ~4,990-sq.-ft. lot where post-2002 minimum is 10,000 sq. ft. Outcome: Approved (condition: off-street parking stall to be constructed to engineering spec). Roll call: ayes recorded; motion carried.

Other business

The commission approved release of a restrictive covenant related to the Glanzer properties so the parcels can be addressed separately on the tax rolls; staff said the covenant mechanism had been used historically to avoid unintended lot-coverage problems and to allow combined parcels where appropriate.

The commission unanimously authorized a memorandum of understanding between Huron Community Campus (HCC) and Northern State University to allow undergraduate and graduate-level programs and courses to be offered at HCC. Doug Peetz, executive director of Huron Community Campus, said the MOU had been reviewed by Northern State's president, by city legal counsel and by the HCC advisory board. Peetz said the agreement begins July 1, 2025, and described the signed MOU as the final administrative step to restore and strengthen academic programming at the former Huron College campus. Peetz told commissioners the president of Northern State had approved the revised form and that local partners'support had been secured.

The commission approved the consent agenda, which included minutes from the Aug. 18 meeting; fuel quotes for city departments; two personnel items (the hiring of a 9-1-1 telecommunicator and a revised library technician job description/advertising a hire for an adult programming and library technician position at the Huron Public Library); and raffle permits for the American Legion and Dakota Moose Association. The commission also approved a special on-sale alcoholic beverage license for a Huron Country Club wedding and the payment of claims.

The commission approved a parade route for "Andy's Road Race," an annual event; the applicant listed on the permit was Lori Marcus.

Public forum and service concerns

In public forum resident Stuart Fonder, of 1620 South Frontier Drive, told commissioners that recent grading and blade work on Frontier Drive had cut about "4 inches out the end of my driveway again," leaving standing water and washboard conditions. Fonder asked whether the city could supply additional gravel; staff said they would inspect the site and review the gravel status on those streets. Commission members reminded residents of solid-waste schedule changes for Labor Day and noted the solid-waste department is distributing new recycling stickers and will deliver recycling containers on request.

Process notes and next steps

The commission moved into executive session under SDCL 1-25-2 for a contractor matter and planned a work session on the budget before returning to executive session on a personnel matter. No final actions from the executive-session items were announced in the public record at the meeting's close.

(Addresses, technical measurements and conditions stated above reflect the record of the Aug. 25, 2025 Huron City Commission meeting.)