Brookings Planning Commission Meeting - December 3, 2024

The Brookings Planning Commission met on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 5:30 PM in the Chambers Room of the Brookings City & County Government Center. Commissioners Schmeichel, Limmer, Spear, Solum, and Aiken were present; Jamison and Leddy were absent. The commission considered four items: a preliminary plat, a rezone, a final development plan for an Aldi grocery store, and a series of future land use map amendments along Main Avenue South. All items were approved unanimously. The meeting also included the election of officers for 2025.

Consent Calendar

• No consent calendar was presented. All items were considered individually.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 4C – Final Development Plan (Aldi): Jamie Faust, project manager with ISG on behalf of Aldi, spoke in support of the final development plan. He thanked the commission for consideration and stated that Aldi is excited about the project and has worked closely with city staff to meet all conditions. No public comments were received on other items.

Discussion Items

4A – Preliminary Plat – Lots 53E, 53F, and 53G of Sioux Village of Indian Hills Addition

• Staff introduced the preliminary plat submitted by Willow Trail LLC for three lots near Crystal Ridge Road and Trail Ridge Road. The lots are in an R-3 multifamily district. Staff recommended approval, noting that the plat meets all code and ordinance requirements. The commission voted unanimously to approve the preliminary plat.

4B – Rezone – Lots 1 and 2 in Block 1 of Bowes Addition

• A petition by Paralandra LLC to rezone two lots from Agriculture (AG) to Residence R-1A Single-Family district. The property is located south of unimproved 26th Street South and east of 22nd Avenue South. The future land use map shows medium density residential, supporting the rezone. Staff recommended approval. The commission voted unanimously to approve the rezone.

4C – Final Development Plan – Lots 3 and 4 in Block 9 of Wiese Addition (Aldi)

• The applicant, Aldi, proposed a 19,000-square-foot grocery store in the Brookings Marketplace near Interstate 29 and 6th Street. The site is in a planned development district with a B-2 underlying district. Staff noted that the plan meets commercial corridor design requirements, with parking located to the east of the building. A side yard landscape exception was granted at the initial development plan stage. The applicant presented building elevations, and commissioners asked about parking and traffic flow. The commission voted unanimously to approve the final development plan.

4D – Future Land Use Map Amendments – Main Avenue South

• Staff presented eight proposed amendments to the 2040 Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map along Main Avenue South. The amendments generally change designations from urban low, medium density residential, open wetland, or other categories to urban medium intensity. Staff explained that the changes align future land use with existing zoning and development patterns, and provide flexibility for commercial or mixed-use infill. Key areas included:
  • Corner of Main Avenue South and 8th Street South (urban low to urban medium)
  • Corner of Main Avenue South and 20th Street South (urban low to urban medium)
  • 2400-2500 block of Main Avenue South (mix to urban medium)
  • Main Avenue South from 26th Street to Sweetgrass Drive (to urban medium)
  • Main Avenue South and 32nd Street (to urban medium)
  • Properties near 35th and 37th Streets (cleanup to urban medium)
  • Southernmost extent of Main Avenue South (to urban medium)
• Commissioners discussed the rationale for including partial parcels and the treatment of open wetland designations. Staff clarified that the future land use map is a high-level guide and that property lines are often crossed. The commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the amendments to the City Council.

5A – Election of Officers for 2025

• Commissioner Spear nominated Commissioner Scot Leddy as Chair and Commissioner Jacob Limmer as Vice Chair for 2025. The commission unanimously approved the nominations.

Key Outcomes

• Preliminary Plat (Item 4A): Approved unanimously.
• Rezone (Item 4B): Approved unanimously.
• Final Development Plan (Item 4C): Approved unanimously.
• Future Land Use Map Amendments (Item 4D): Forwarded to the City Council with a unanimous recommendation for approval. The council will consider the amendments at its December 17, 2024 meeting.
• Election of Officers: Chair Scot Leddy and Vice Chair Jacob Limmer elected for 2025.
• Meeting Date Adjustment: Staff noted that the January 2025 planning commission meeting (scheduled for Tuesday, January 7) may need to be rescheduled if many commissioners travel for a potential SDSU football playoff game. Commissioners decided to keep the date as scheduled unless a quorum issue arises.