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Neighbors press board on Loess Hills rezone; supervisors approve first reading with one abstention
Summary
After a lengthy public hearing in which neighbors cited scenic and access concerns, the Woodbury County Board approved the first reading to rezone a 36.5-acre parcel from Agricultural Preservation (AP) to Agricultural Estates (AE); vote was 4-0 with one abstention. Applicants offered covenants limiting new houses to three.
The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors approved the first reading of a zoning ordinance to change a 36.5-acre parcel from Agricultural Preservation (AP) to Agricultural Estates (AE) after a lengthy public hearing filled with neighbor objections about the Loess Hills, scenic-byway visibility and long-term development risks.
Daniel Priestley, planning staff, explained the process: the public hearing before the board addressed the merits of the AP→AE rezone while a separate minor-subdivision plat review will follow at a future meeting. He said AE retains many agricultural rights but allows somewhat different rules for housing density and setbacks, and that staff typically recommend a rezone be considered alongside a minor subdivision to avoid repeated notifications and additional costs.
Neighbors objected, citing the parcel’s Loess Hills location, scenic-byway visibility and potential water/aquifer and bus-route safety concerns. “I’m totally opposed to it,” said Gary McMullen, whose property sits directly across from the proposed addition. Chad Brady, another neighbor, said many neighbors signed a petition opposing the change.
Applicant representatives said they bought the land for hunting and access and proposed a restrictive covenant limiting future development to no more than three additional houses on the parcel. “Three is the max, you know, we’ll make that a covenant,” the applicant said when explaining the proposal as an attempt to reduce density compared with what AP zoning could allow.
Board members weighed options including doing a single-lot plat to provide access without a full subdivision. The board ultimately approved the first reading of the zoning ordinance (vote recorded 4-0 with Supervisor Dietrich abstaining because he lives within two miles of the site). Staff said the minor-subdivision plat and detailed lot configuration will be considered at a subsequent meeting.
Because the action was a first reading, further procedural steps remain before the rezone becomes final.
