Brookings Planning Commission Meeting - August 6, 2024
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Brookings Planning Commission Meeting - August 6, 2024
The Brookings Planning Commission met on August 6, 2024, at 5:30 PM in the Chambers Room of the Brookings City & County Government Center. The commission reviewed a traffic variance, a conditional use permit, a final development plan amendment, a commercial corridor site plan, future land use map amendments, two tax increment financing items, and received a presentation on the Development Review Team. Several public hearings were held, and all actions resulted in recommendations or final decisions.
Consent Calendar
- Roll Call: Present: Scott Leddy, Jacob Limmer (absent), Debra Spear, Kyle Jamison, Roger Solum (absent), Richard Smith, Nick Schmeichel, Tanner Aiken. Absent: Limmer, Solum.
- Approval of Agenda: Motion by Jamison, seconded. Approved unanimously.
- Approval of July 2, 2024 Minutes: Motion by Jamison, seconded. Approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Traffic Variance (1828 E Briarwood Circle): The applicant, homeowner Philip (via Nathan Traffey of NT Homes), spoke in support, stating the 44-foot driveway was intended to accommodate four vehicles off the street and noted neighbor support (Carol Hass at 1827 and Marvin/Sandra at 1835). An email from a neighbor at 1812 W Briarwood was read opposing the variance, citing no hardship.
- Nelson Conditional Use Permit: Applicant Diane Nelson answered questions about her home hair salon (single chair), ventilation, and chemical use. She noted the addition would be in the garage.
- Brookings Marketplace Final Development Plan Amendment: Patrick Daly of Ryan Companies spoke in support, revealing a 127,000 sq ft anchor tenant (under NDA) and plans for Aldi and other retailers. He estimated construction starting by end of 2024 or spring 2025.
- Commercial Corridor Design Review Site Plan: Applicant Marty Searstad and designer Ken Just (RWE Design Build) presented a pet services/boarding facility with no variances requested.
- Future Land Use Map Amendments: Tim Reed (CEO, Brookings Economic Development Corporation) thanked the commission for proactively planning for business development.
- Tax Increment Financing District #16: Tim Reed and Jim Burkhart (Solventum plant director) spoke in support, noting a $222 million investment, 46 new jobs ($2.6 million annual payroll), and $289 million economic output.
Discussion Items
- Traffic Variance - Driveway (6A): Request to allow a 44-foot driveway (max 36 feet) due to an already-installed 12-foot extension beyond the original 32-foot garage width. Staff recommended denial, citing no unnecessary hardship. The board debated options, including amending to reduce width, but the applicant preferred a vote. Motion to approve failed (0-6). Denied.
- Nelson Conditional Use Permit - Major Home Occupation Hair Salon (6B): Proposal for a single-chair beauty shop in a garage addition at 1635 17th Ave S. Staff recommended approval with condition that the permit is valid only for the current homeowner. Approved unanimously (6-0). Recommendation to city council.
- Brookings Marketplace Final Development Plan Amendment (6C): Amendment to a previously approved plan due to >10% reductions in parking and building dimensions. Lot sizes adjusted; anchor building reduced. Staff recommended approval. Commissioner Jamison raised pedestrian connectivity concerns. Approved unanimously (6-0). Final action by planning commission.
- Commercial Corridor Design Review Site Plan (6D): Pet services/boarding facility at 20th St & Christine Ave. Building one with future building two noted. No variances sought. Staff recommended approval. Commissioners praised the no-variance design. Approved unanimously (6-0). Recommendation to city council.
- Future Land Use Map Amendments - 20th Street South (6E): Proactive amendments to change classifications along the corridor to urban medium or low intensity. DRT recommended excluding areas west of Main Ave and adjusting one parcel depth. Public hearing held. Approved with staff recommendations unanimously (6-0). Recommendation to city council.
- Tax Increment Financing District #16 - Resolution and Boundaries (6F): Establish TIF District #16 for Solventum property (113.06 acres) with up to $5 million in project costs. Discussion on retroactive nature (project started) and job creation (46 jobs). Staff noted the district is within the statutory 10% assessment limit (currently <2% used). Approved unanimously (6-0).
- Tax Increment District #16 Project Plan (6G): Approved project plan not to exceed $5 million, with 20-year maximum term. Discussion on past TIF performance and decertifications. Approved unanimously (6-0).
- Amendments to Chapter 94 - Porches, Decks, Platforms (6H): Staff requested tabling to include latest revisions. Motion to table approved (6-0).
- Development Review Team Presentation (6I): Deputy City Manager Jake Meshke presented DRT's role, expertise, and process. Q&A covered developer concerns about DRT influence, pedestrian connectivity, and potential future codification of connectivity standards.
Key Outcomes
- Traffic Variance (1828 E Briarwood Circle): Denied (0-6). Applicant must reduce driveway width to comply with code or seek alternative remedy.
- Nelson Conditional Use Permit: Recommended approval to city council with condition that permit is valid only for current homeowner. Approved (6-0).
- Brookings Marketplace Final Development Plan Amendment: Approved (6-0). Final action; no further council review needed.
- Commercial Corridor Design Review Site Plan: Recommended approval to city council. Approved (6-0).
- Future Land Use Map Amendments: Recommended approval to city council. Approved (6-0).
- TIF District #16 Resolution and Boundaries: Recommended approval to city council. Approved (6-0).
- TIF District #16 Project Plan: Recommended approval to city council. Approved (6-0).
- Chapter 94 Amendments: Tabled to next meeting for revised draft. Approved (6-0) to table.
- Development Review Team Presentation: Received as information; no action taken.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:55 PM.
Meeting Transcript
I will now call this meeting to order. I would like to welcome those in attendance at tonight's meeting. The City Planning Commission is a nine-member commission whose function is to make recommendations to the city council regarding requests for land use classification changes, subdivision plats, conditional use permits, zoning ordinance amendments, and other matters. The commission makes their recommendation based upon the adopted comprehensive plan for the physical development of the city of Brookings and surrounding area. As a matter of policy, all motions are made in the positive. After a motion is moved and seconded, it is open for debate. Those supporting the motion shall in turn give their reasons. Those opposing the motion shall then offer their reasons. After everyone has been given a chance to be heard, the commission shall review the testimony and information presented, make findings of fact, and forward the recommendation to the city council. So we'll move on to tonight's agenda. First item is roll call. Ryan, could you note the roll? Roll as noted with Limmer and Solemn absent. Okay. Item number two is the approval of tonight's agenda. Uh I'll entertain a motion for approval. Second, Jameson. Okay. Got a motion, a second. Uh any comments, questions on the agenda. Seeing none, all in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. And all opposed. Move us on to item three, the approval of the minutes from our last meeting. I'll entertain a motion for approval. So moved, Jameson. Go ahead. Second. Got a motion and a second. Uh any comments on the minutes. Seeing none, all in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. All opposed. Okay. We're now going to convene as the Board of Adjustment. The Board of Adjustment is a seven-member board which has the power to hear requests for variances and special exceptions. The concurring vote of two-thirds of the full membership is necessary for approval of any action by the board. So a seven-member board requires five votes, six member requires five votes, and tonight the five or excuse me, six-member board requires five votes, and a five-member board requires five votes. So tonight uh we would require five votes. In accordance with Robert's rules of order, we require a motion to approve a request before the request can be debated. As a matter of policy, all motions are made in the positive. The board, under specific powers granted it by the state, shall authorize variances from the zoning requirements where special conditions existing on the land will result in unnecessary hardship for the applicant. Financial disadvantage to the property owner shall not constitute proof of unnecessary hardship. This is the Traffe variance. Notice is hereby given that Nathan Traffey has made a request for a variance on lot 11 in block three of Arbor Hills edition, also known as 1828 East Briarwood Circle. The request is for a 44-foot driveway.
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