The Rapid City Planning Commission on Nov. 21 approved a conditional-use permit to convert the former National American University campus at 5301 Mount Rushmore Road into a residential treatment facility with a K–12 day school and a child advocacy center.

Jessica Olson of the city’s community development staff told commissioners the project would use the existing building with no exterior expansion and would include residential wings housing up to 40 children at a time, a day school for residents and community students, and a child advocacy center. "We are recommending approval with the stipulations noted at the end of the report," Olson said.

Staff told the commission the facility would exceed parking requirements by about 200 spaces, include two outdoor playground areas that staff recommended be fenced to a minimum of 4 feet, and operate security cameras and controlled access; visitors would be handled by appointment. Olson said residential staffing was proposed at a 1-to-4 staff-to-child ratio, school staffing at about 1-to-6, and average length of stay in the residence wing could be up to 18 months. The day school hours were listed at about 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and the child advocacy center at about 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; staff said the advocacy center conducts roughly 350 interviews a year.

Commissioners praised the adaptive reuse and emphasized neighborhood outreach and safety. "I think this is an exceptional project ... It's adaptive reuse. It's a very sustainable practice," said Commissioner Eric Hiekis. Commissioner Vicky (as recorded) said, "This is a service that is desperately needed in our community," and noted staff and the applicant had engaged with neighbors.

Commissioners asked several technical questions focused on sidewalks and future transportation work. Staff said the zoning board had previously granted a variance related to a DOT property acquisition and that sidewalks along the service road are expected to be installed when the Catron/Mount Rushmore intersection improvements proceed; exceptions or final sidewalk locations will be addressed at building permit review.

Commissioner Vince moved to approve the project with the stipulations listed in the staff report; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The approval is subject to the listed stipulations in the staff report, including fencing for playgrounds and required building-permit reviews for sidewalk exceptions and circulation plans. The applicant and staff will return as needed to demonstrate compliance during permit review and construction.