Minnehaha County approves zoning change for Cedar Ridge, adds six lots amid road concerns
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Summary
The County Commission approved amendments to the Cedar Ridge Planned Development allowing larger accessory structures and adding six single-family lots to Subarea A, while requiring the developer to complete and gravel the loop road by Dec. 31, 2022. One commissioner voted against adding the lots due to unfinished road and utilities.
The Minnehaha County Commission on July 21 approved a major amendment to the Cedar Ridge Planned Development that will let accessory buildings in Subarea A follow the total permissible area in County zoning and will reclassify six single-family lots from Subarea C to Subarea A.
The change to accessory-structure allowances (Ordinance MC16-166-20) passed unanimously after Planning Director Scott Anderson summarized the proposal and noted the Planning Commission had recommended approval for that portion of the amendment. The Commission then voted 4-1 to add the six lots; Commissioner Cynthia Heiberger cast the lone dissent, citing an incomplete road and utility concerns.
Supporters who spoke at the hearing included applicant Eric Willadsen of Willadsen Lund Engineering, attorney Dave Edwards of Hagen, Wilka & Archer representing the property owners, and property owners Brad and Laura Wagner of Renner. The Wagners told the Commission they intend to pave the loop road in the future. Commissioners said the location was appropriate for planned development but pressed for a clear timeline for road and utility work.
At the Commission's request, the owners agreed to a condition requiring the loop road be completed and graveled by Dec. 31, 2022. That condition was added as part of the ordinance vote and was approved 5-0. The Commission also enacted a technical motion specifying that 47534 Cedar Ridge Place is located in Subarea C (5-0).
Commissioner Heiberger explained her vote against adding the six lots by stressing the unfinished road and concerns about utilities serving the area. The Wagners' pledge to pave the road satisfied the Commission enough to include the completion date as a condition rather than withholding approval. The full ordinance is on file in the Auditor's Office.
The Commission's action adjusts the development's permitted building configurations and expands Subarea A by six residential lots; the road-completion requirement ties those approvals to a contractor timeline and a calendar deadline.