Council approves first reading for 25‑acre PUD that includes senior living; neighbors press for tighter limits

The Mitchell City Council on June 16 approved first reading of a rezoning request for a 25‑acre planned unit development (PUD) that would allow a mixed project including a senior living community, an event venue and residential development.

The PUD proposal was presented to the council by city staff and representatives of the developer and its construction partner. Wayne Morzec, vice president of development for HME Companies, said the company has built similar senior living communities across South Dakota and described the Mitchell project as including independent living, assisted living and memory care, plus residential and event components. "We're bringing these communities in," Morzec said, noting features were designed to fit the rural character of the site.

Why neighbors pushed back

Neighbors and other residents at the hearing praised the senior‑living concept but told councilors they were surprised by the breadth of permitted uses in the PUD. Several speakers asked the council to move a convenience store, car wash and fuel‑dispensing/service uses from the list of permitted uses into the conditional‑use category so neighbors would have another opportunity to review individual commercial proposals.

"I don't trust Justin Tetz (JTZ) — when someone blatantly tries to deceive me, I don't trust him," said neighbor Brian Casey, expressing concern about the applicant and asking the council to proceed with caution. Several residents emphasized they supported senior living but wanted clearer limits on some commercial uses.

Developer and supporters push for flexibility

Developer representatives explained that the PUD approach is commonly used to provide long‑term flexibility for phased mixed‑use developments and to reduce the need for repeated hearings for incremental changes. "If by doing this, going down this initial route, it allows us the most flexibility, allowing us to keep moving forward," Wayne Morzec said. Justin Teasy, a local representative for the developer, said potential conveniences such as a small store could serve workers and visitors and that operators already were approaching the developer about locating in the area.

Council action and amendment attempt

Councilor Jeff Savers moved to amend the proposed PUD to move several uses (convenience store, car wash and fuel‑dispensing/service uses) to the conditional‑use list. After debate the amendment failed on a roll‑call vote; the council then voted to put the PUD on first reading as originally submitted. The ordinance is O2025‑009 (first reading). Council discussion noted the PUD included conditional‑use review for many categories and that conditional uses require a later approval vote if a specific operator proposes a use.

What the PUD would allow and next steps

The proposal covers 25 acres in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction with one 4.65‑acre parcel already annexed and the remaining land still in the county; the PUD addresses both areas. The developer presented conceptual plans showing senior living, an event venue and multi‑family housing, and HME said the senior living component would be the first phase expected to break ground in the coming construction season.

Supporters at the meeting included the Mitchell Chamber and Development Corporation and some nearby landowners who said the development could create jobs and generate tax base. Opponents said commercial uses should be reviewed case‑by‑case.

The council advanced the rezoning to a second reading; any conditional‑use permit applications for specific commercial operations would require separate review and a six‑vote council approval for conditional uses.