Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves preliminary plan for Dell Rapids Lumber Commercial Subdivision
Summary
The council approved a preliminary plan to subdivide an 8.4-acre tract along Garfield Avenue and Quartzsite Street into five commercial lots; planners described drainage, utilities and DOT access constraints and disclosed that the city’s engineer of record also worked for the developer but used internal review to manage the conflict.
The Dell Rapids City Council voted to accept the preliminary plan for the Dell Rapids Lumber Commercial Subdivision, a proposed commercial subdivision of approximately 8.4 acres adjacent to South Dakota Highway 115 (Garfield Avenue) and Quartzsite Street. The planning commission recommended approval at its July 9 meeting, and the council approved the preliminary plan after staff presented the proposal and answered technical questions.
Community development director Sheldon Jensen walked the council through the required elements of a preliminary plan — lot and block layout, legal descriptions, sewer and water plans, and a drainage plan — and said the submittal met ordinance requirements. Jensen disclosed that DGR Engineering, the city’s engineer of record, was also retained by the lumber company; he said different engineers within DGR reviewed the plan to address potential conflicts.
Engineer Trent Bruce described site utilities and drainage: Quartzsite Street includes stubs for water and sewer into the four smaller lots, while the fifth lot (about 4.91 acres) has access off Garfield Avenue. The plan includes a revised drainage easement and a detention pond designed to convey runoff to the city’s northeast industrial park pond; Bruce said grading needs are limited because the site was generally built to accommodate development.
Jensen said the DOT declined to add a new access point to SD 115 due to a nearby curve and existing access points, so the plan relies on Garfield Avenue for primary truck and street frontage. Council members asked about grading, potential access through 115 in the future, and drainage history in the northeast corner of the site; staff answered those questions and noted the detention pond is designed for a 100‑year storm event.
Gary moved to accept the preliminary plan as presented; Bob seconded and the motion carried by voice vote. Staff noted that lot-specific engineering and final plats will return for administrative sign-off or council review as required by ordinance.
