Council approves zoning changes, places small parkland sale before voters and okays infrastructure contracts

The City Council approved a package of land-use measures, infrastructure contract changes, and administrative items at its meeting, including first readings of two zoning ordinances, a second reading of a residential zoning amendment, authorization to advertise a tree-trimming and removal project, and several construction change orders and pay applications.

Council members voted to approve first readings of Ordinance 7-22 and Ordinance 7-23 and a second reading of Ordinance 7-21, all land-use amendments recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Ordinance 7-22 would reduce the side-yard setback for single-family attached dwellings in the R-2 (medium-density residential) district to align with detached single-family setbacks. Ordinance 7-23 would allow on-sale alcoholic beverage establishments in light industrial and heavy industrial districts by conditional use permit and would update related retail/service use language. Ordinance 7-21 (second reading) would expand conditional-use options in the R-2 district to permit certain single-family attached developments up to eight units under specified configurations; the developer Aspen Ridge is reported to be interested in pursuing such an option.

The council unanimously authorized advertising for bids on the 2025 tree trimming and removal project. Staff said the work would include right-of-way trimming east of Split Rock and targeted removals in the Richmond area and at the golf course. The advertisement schedule staff proposed is publication in the Brandon Valley Journal on Jan. 29 and Feb. 5, a bid opening on Feb. 13, and council bid acceptance on Feb. 18, with a project completion target of Dec. 31.

On parkland, the council approved Resolution O2-25 to place a question on the April 8 municipal election ballot asking voters to permit the sale of a small portion of city-owned property at 1509 South Split Rock (described in the staff packet as roughly 20–25 feet along the south side of Aspen Park) so the adjacent property owners could gain access to the rear of their lot to build a detached accessory building. Staff said state statutes require a referendum for the sale of parkland; the resolution would put the referendum before voters rather than the council concluding the sale administratively.

Public-works and utilities items also moved forward. The council approved Change Order No. 1 for the large sewage drainage repair project, an increase of just under $1,300 for minor items such as landscaping around a lift station and additional erosion controls requested by Game, Fish, and Parks. The council approved a $60,825 change order for the Sioux Falls force-main project to address a plan omission identified during construction, and it approved multiple pay applications for both projects. For the new water-treatment plant, staff reported start-up is expected in mid-March and members approved the submitted pay application (No. 26) toward final completion and testing.

Other actions on the consent calendar included approval of minutes, claims with some classification edits, hire of a summer recreation program manager (a second-year staffer returning for a full season with a 3% base wage increase applied across the board), approval of the Aspen Ridge Blocks 8–11 preliminary plan (with privately maintained streets to city standards), authorization to purchase a replacement inspector vehicle, and approval of a construction agreement for the Western Hills subdivision (Western Hills LLC, Ben Buskers). The council adjourned without convening an executive session.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 7-22 (first reading) — approved; Ordinance 7-23 (first reading) — approved; Ordinance 7-21 (second reading) — approved; Resolution O2-25 (place parkland-sale referendum on April 8 ballot) — approved; 2025 tree trimming/removal project (authorize advertising for bids) — approved; Change Order No. 1, sewage drainage repair (increase just under $1,300) — approved; Change order, Sioux Falls force-main ($60,825) — approved; Water-treatment plant pay application No. 26 — approved; Aspen Ridge Blocks 8–11 preliminary plan — approved; Western Hills subdivision construction agreement (Western Hills LLC/Ben Buskers) — approved; inspector vehicle purchase — approved; multiple pay applications for Sioux Falls project (Nos. 5–7 as submitted) — approved.

Why it matters: The zoning changes and the Aspen Ridge option affect allowable housing configurations in the R-2 district and could make it easier for townhouse-style developments and certain retail/service uses in industrial zones to obtain approvals. Placing a parcel of Aspen Park on the ballot triggers a voter decision about a small conveyance of parkland previously acquired with third-penny sales tax dollars. The approved infrastructure change orders and pay applications keep major utility projects moving toward completion with modest added costs.

Council members and staff indicated no substantial dissent on the items listed; the speed-zone code provision for several older school-area 15-mph zones was discussed but the council took no formal action other than asking staff to prepare an ordinance to remove those obsolete speed-limit provisions for a future meeting.