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Rapid City committee votes on three sidewalk/ADA variance requests
Summary
On July 14, 2025, the Rapid City Public Works Committee considered three variance requests to waive sidewalk or corner-ramp requirements. Committee members voted on each request after staff and engineering explanations; motions on all three items passed by voice vote.
The Rapid City Public Works Committee on July 14, 2025, heard three separate variance requests from Advanced Design Engineering and Surveying on behalf of private developers to waive sidewalk or corner-ramp requirements in different parts of the city and passed motions on each item.
The committee’s decisions affect requests for a sidewalk waiver along a future Link Lane (PW071525-12), a waiver of corner-ramp installation at the Portrush–Melbourne intersection (PW071525-13), and a sidewalk waiver along Muirfield Drive (PW071525-14). Committee members debated safety, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and who would ultimately bear the cost if the city later had to make improvements.
Staff presented each item and recommended denial for at least the Link Lane request. On PW071525-12 — a variance application by Advanced Design Engineering and Surveying on behalf of 3133 Holdings LLC to waive the requirement to install sidewalk along a future Link Lane under Rapid City Municipal Code section 12.08.0.06 — staff noted the street is a cul-de-sac but that the city expects a future project to complete sidewalks in the area. City staff member Vicky said, “Sidewalks are meant to provide a safe place for people to walk, for children to play. If we don't start getting them now, when do we get them?” The committee recorded a motion by Committee member Bieberdorf and a second by Committee member Evans; the motion passed by voice vote.
On PW071525-13, Advanced Design Engineering and Surveying on behalf of Paradigm Construction LLC requested a waiver to avoid installing corner ramps at the Portrush–Melbourne intersection, which the staff said would be required under Rapid City Municipal Code section 16.16.0.05. Committee member Evans raised concerns about the steepness of the existing slope and the potential hazard if a ramp were too steep, saying the steep ramp looked “more of a hazard than forcing people to walk 5 more feet around and use the other perpendicular, access ramp.” Staff responded that construction plans submitted for the street project demonstrated the ramp could be built in compliance with slope standards and other ADA requirements. Todd Pekash, the city’s engineer who reviewed the plans, explained the accessibility standard on the record: “ADA, requires ramp to be 8.3% or less. So the 7%, I believe, that's the cross slope of the road, not the the slope of the ramp.” After technical discussion about ramp geometry and landing slopes, the committee recorded a motion and second and passed the motion by voice vote.
On PW071525-14, Advanced Design Engineering and Surveying on behalf of Paragon Construction LLC requested a variance to waive installing sidewalk along Muirfield Drive under Rapid City Municipal Code section 12.08.0.06. A committee member moved to deny; the motion received a second and passed by voice vote.
Committee members and staff emphasized two recurring points in the discussion: (1) where ADA access is required, the city must secure compliant ramps because if the city later receives an ADA grievance, the municipality could be required to make the improvement and bear the cost rather than placing it on private property owners, and (2) some locations are part of a broader, future city sidewalk project that may eventually fill existing gaps. City staff noted that work to bring rural sections (ditches) up to curb-and-gutter standards would be more complicated and costly than constructing ramps on new subdivisions.
The committee did not record roll-call tallies for individual yes/no votes in the transcript excerpt; members used voice votes on the three items and the chair announced, "All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion passes." Roll call at the meeting opening showed five committee members present.
The committee moved on after the three items and adjourned later in the meeting. Staff indicated areas affected by these decisions include Link Lane, Muirfield Drive and the Portrush–Melbourne intersection; staff also identified nearby segments that either already have sidewalks or are expected to be tied into future projects, including a rural section of Highway Lane and adjacent Severson Street and Arrowhead development areas.
Votes at a glance PW071525-12 (3133 Holdings LLC; Advanced Design Engineering and Surveying): motion text not specified on the record; mover: Bieberdorf; second: Evans; outcome: motion passed by voice vote. PW071525-13 (Paradigm Construction LLC; Advanced Design Engineering and Surveying): motion text not specified on the record; mover/second not specified in transcript excerpt; outcome: motion passed by voice vote. PW071525-14 (Paragon Construction LLC; Advanced Design Engineering and Surveying): motion: “I move to deny” (on the record); mover/second not named on the record; outcome: motion passed by voice vote.
No formal amendments or conditions were recorded in the available transcript excerpt. Staff and the city engineer flagged that ADA slope standards and public-rights-of-way accessibility guidelines (PROWAG) govern ramp design, and that noncompliant ramps or lack of ramps can trigger city-mandated work and cost exposure to taxpayers if an ADA grievance is filed.
The committee did not set additional follow-up tasks in the transcript excerpt; staff indicated future sidewalk projects in the area are anticipated but did not give schedules or funding sources in this meeting.
