Box Elder staff outlines bylaws review, software migration and planning updates; commissioners seek clarity on role

During administrative reports at the Oct. 28 meeting, Box Elder planning staff said the commission bylaws (last updated in 2012) are under legal review and will be circulated to commissioners once returned from the city attorney. Laura, identified in the meeting as the planning and zoning director, outlined several items staff is working on, including a software migration to allow online permit applications and inspection tracking slated to go live in early 2025, near-final chapters of the comprehensive plan and a limited set of ordinance tweaks for subdivision and zoning.

Staff also told commissioners that an SRF loan was paid off early, which led to the removal of a related utility surcharge as of Oct. 15; staff framed that as a notable fiscal improvement for residents. On local development, staff reported two Starbucks stores are under construction in different parts of town and described progress on Hotel Way, with railroad-related agreements influencing the schedule for completion in spring 2025.

Several commissioners asked how active the planning commission should be beyond forwarding staff work. Builder adviser Dean Hedrick asked whether the commission is “simply to be a yes committee,” urging more proactive discussion about future city growth, sidewalk and ADA planning, and code updates. Staff recommended scheduling a workshop with the city attorney to review bylaws, the planning chapter of the municipal code and commissioners’ responsibilities; staff also cited South Dakota Codified Law 11-2-3.1 on meeting frequency, saying commissions must meet as necessary but “in no event shall the planning commission meet less than once every 3 months.”

Commissioners requested a refresher orientation and said they would consider a formal request to schedule the attorney-led workshop and to coordinate commission input before builder/developer meetings.