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Planning commission approves seasonal RV residency permit for local resident despite staff recommendation
Summary
The Pennington County Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit (COCU 26-0007) allowing Steven Speer to live in an RV on his rural residential property for up to 180 days per year, approving it with 10 conditions after a debate over precedent and zoning compatibility.
The Pennington County Planning Commission voted to approve conditional use permit COCU 26-0007, allowing applicant Steven Speer to live in an RV on a 3.74‑acre rural residential property for up to 180 days a year, with 10 conditions attached.
Assistant Planner Christine Philip told commissioners that staff recommended denial because the proposed use “is not compatible with the character or intended development pattern of the surrounding area.” Philip said staff found the property already had an on‑site wastewater treatment system and electricity, and that staff had received three neighbor phone calls who were not opposed to the camper being present but wanted assurance it would not be used as a nightly rental.
Speer, the applicant, said the RV has been stored on the property for five years and that his family plans to “snow bird” — living in the RV part of the year while keeping Pennington County as their primary residence. “We are planning on retiring next year,” he said. The commission asked whether the RV had been merely stored and whether approval would set precedent for similar requests.
Assistant Planning Director Jason Thomsen told commissioners the planning office has denied similar requests in residential neighborhoods in the past to avoid establishing precedent for RV living adjacent to homes. Several commissioners noted the permit would include a one‑year review and conditions limiting rental use and that those safeguards could address potential future complaints.
After debate about compatibility and precedent, a commissioner moved and seconded approval of COCU 26-0007 with 10 conditions; the motion carried by voice vote.
The permit allows the seasonal occupancy described and includes the conditions specified by staff should the commission choose to approve. The commission did not record a roll‑call tally in the transcript. The decision may be appealed to the county board, which receives Planning Commission recommendations for final action.
