Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Variance And Plat topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Davison County planning commission backs Betts’ variance request and plat for 5‑acre lot
Summary
The Davison County Planning Commission recommended approval of a variance to allow a roughly 5‑acre residential lot and the accompanying plat for Lot D1 on Sept. 2, 2025; commissioners pressed the applicants on hardship, driveway approval and water availability before voting to forward both items for further action.
DAVISON COUNTY, S.D. — The Davison County Planning Commission on Sept. 2 voted to recommend approval of a variance and a plat from Carl and Bailey Betts that would create an approximately 5‑acre residential lot from a 40.19‑acre parent parcel in the Agricultural Residential District.
Acting Director of Planning & Zoning Karen Wegleitner presented the two applications: a variance request to allow the creation of a lot of roughly 5 acres where the zoning minimum for a residence is 25 acres, and a plat for Lot D1 subdividing Lot D. The applicants, Carl and Bailey Betts, were present to answer questions.
Commissioners pressed the applicants on the lack of a demonstrated hardship for granting the variance and on practical details of the proposed split. Commissioners noted it is unusual to approve a lot well below the 25‑acre minimum without evidence of hardship or a committed buyer; the Betts said they wanted the lot platted to make it easier to sell if a buyer is found.
Members also discussed access and utilities. The Betts reported they had spoken with Beulah Township about driveway placement and understood township approval was contingent on the plat being approved. The applicants said they were unsure where the water line serving the new lot would come from; no further utility details were provided at the hearing.
Following discussion, Commissioner Steve Thiesse moved and Commissioner Dave Anderson seconded to recommend approval of the variance to the Board of Adjustment. The commission recorded roll‑call votes with Bruce Haines, Steve Thiesse, Ray Gosmire and Dave Anderson voting aye and Lewis Bainbridge, Chris Nebelsick and Mike Blaalid recorded as absent; the motion carried.
Commissioner Dave Anderson then moved and Commissioner Ray Gosmire seconded to recommend approval of the plat to the Davison County Commissioners; the same voting pattern was recorded and the motion carried.
The commission recorded no conflicts of interest, approved the meeting agenda and the Aug. 7, 2025 minutes earlier in the session, and set its next meeting for Oct. 7, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.
Votes at a glance: The commission unanimously approved (among members present) the agenda and previous minutes; it voted (Haines, Thiesse, Gosmire, Anderson — aye) to recommend the variance to the Board of Adjustment and to recommend the plat to the County Commissioners; Bainbridge, Nebelsick and Blaalid were noted as absent on the roll calls.
