Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Rezone topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning panel approves comprehensive plan change and rezone along Highway 16 for storage/commercial use
Summary
The Pennington County Planning Commission on May 26 voted to recommend a comprehensive plan amendment (COCA26-0004) and a rezone (CORZ26-0002) to convert a 27-acre parcel at 13535 South Highway 16 from agricultural/ranchette to commercial, clearing the way for storage and commercial development amid traffic-safety concerns on Highway 16.
The Pennington County Planning Commission voted May 26 to recommend a comprehensive plan amendment (COCA26-0004) and a rezone (CORZ26-0002) that would change land use and zoning for a 27-acre parcel at 13535 South Highway 16, allowing commercial storage and related development.
Senior Planner Cody Sack told commissioners the property is currently zoned agriculture and has an existing large structure used for storage and construction equipment; the applicants plan additional indoor storage units and outdoor covered storage. Cody said the applicants have an approved South Dakota Department of Transportation commercial approach permit and that staff recommends approval of both the comprehensive plan amendment and the rezone.
The commission’s discussion focused on traffic and sight-distance concerns at the Rockerville approach to Highway 16. Chair (speaker 1) and several commissioners described blind spots and high speeds on that stretch; Cody noted DOT reviewed and approved the approach permit and observed that storage units typically generate less traffic than, for example, an RV park. Commissioner Elora (speaker 2) and others questioned how future change-of-use reviews would be handled if the property’s use changes and whether additional DOT traffic counts would be required.
Commissioner (speaker 5) moved to approve COCA26-0004 per staff recommendation; the motion carried by voice vote. The commission then approved CORZ26-0002 to rezone the property from agricultural to commercial; that motion also carried by voice vote. Commissioners and staff noted that comprehensive plan amendments and rezones are recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners, which may act on them at a subsequent meeting.
The planning packet and staff presentation indicated the property is adjacent to existing commercial uses and that the request appears consistent with surrounding future land use. Commissioners flagged the area’s traffic-safety issues for possible further consideration by DOT or through county change-of-use and road-improvement processes.
Next steps: The Planning Commission’s recommendations will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for their consideration per the meeting notice schedule.
