Brookings Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment Meeting - January 7, 2025
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Brookings Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment Meeting - January 7, 2025
The Board of Adjustment and Planning Commission met jointly on January 7, 2025, at 11:30 AM (UTC) to consider two variance requests, a final development plan amendment, and a zoning ordinance amendment creating a new civic district. All seven board members were present (one absent). The meeting included a roll call, approval of the agenda, and approval of the December 3, 2024 minutes.
Board of Adjustment – Variance Requests
Variance 1: Brookings Health System Sign (55 sq ft vs. 40 sq ft max)
- Request: Variance for a 55-square-foot freestanding sign at 2311 Yorkshire Drive (B2A office district). The maximum allowed is 40 square feet.
- Staff Position: Recommended approval, citing the larger lot size (previously two parcels) and the sign's setback from Yorkshire Drive reducing impact.
- Public Testimony: None offered by the applicant or opponents.
- Board Vote: Motion to approve passed unanimously (7-0).
Variance 2: Prairie Hills LLC Rear Yard Setback (20.6 ft vs. 25 ft required)
- Request: Variance for a 20.6-foot rear yard setback on lot 23/24 at Chokecherry Lane and Sunflower Road (R3 district). The minimum required is 25 feet.
- Staff Position: Recommended approval, noting the situation arose from platting after building foundation installation.
- Applicant Statement: Jacob Mills (representing Prairie Hills LLC) explained that the shortfall was discovered during final platting and that the adjacent land to the south is owned by the applicant and undeveloped.
- Public Testimony: None in opposition.
- Board Vote: Motion to approve passed unanimously (7-0).
Planning Commission – Final Development Plan Amendment
Madary Acres – Building Demolition and Rebuild at 1100 8th Street South
- Request: Amendment to final development plan to demolish an existing stone building and construct a 60x84-foot shop/shed (partially two-story) with a 7-foot east side setback. The property is in a planned development district.
- Staff Position: Recommended approval, citing the aesthetic improvement and operational efficiency.
- Applicant Statement: Lynn Darnell (owner) stated the project will improve street appearance and allow better product flow through garage doors and a heated loading area.
- Public Testimony: None in opposition.
- Commission Vote: Motion to approve passed unanimously (7-0).
Planning Commission – Zoning Ordinance Amendment (New Civic District)
Creation of Chapter 94 – Civic District and Associated Supplemental Regulations
- Proposal: Establish a new “Civic” zoning district to provide consistent regulations for public facilities, parks, schools, religious institutions, and other tax-exempt properties. The district sets 20-foot front, 10-foot side, and 20-foot rear setbacks (with some variation), and a maximum height of 60 feet. Uses include permitted, permitted special, and conditional uses.
- Staff Presentation: Mike (city staff) explained that the district was recommended in the 2018 comprehensive plan update to reduce uncertainty for developers and neighbors, and to provide consistent standards for public properties. Existing city-owned properties would be rezoned over time via a zoning map amendment, with other entities (schools, county) invited to join voluntarily.
- Commission Discussion:
- Commissioners asked whether existing properties would be non-conforming; staff said no immediate forced rezoning, and existing variances would be honored.
- The utility of rezoning was discussed: it signals future public use and can reduce public concern about high-density development.
- Staff noted that the district does not include public maintenance facilities (e.g., street shops) which belong in industrial areas.
- The future land use map already identifies civic areas, and the comp plan supports the district.
- Parks and golf courses could be rezoned, but disposal of parkland is governed by state statute and deed restrictions.
- The district does not impose minimum lot size; parking requirements will naturally limit building size.
- Public Testimony: None in favor or opposition.
- Commission Vote: Motion to approve the ordinance amendment passed 6-1 (Commissioner Spear voted no).
Key Outcomes
- Variance for Brookings Health System sign: Approved (7-0).
- Variance for Prairie Hills LLC rear yard setback: Approved (7-0).
- Final development plan amendment for Madary Acres: Approved (7-0).
- Zoning ordinance amendment creating Civic District: Approved (6-1). Staff will proceed with drafting the ordinance and later bring forward a zoning map amendment for city properties.
- The meeting adjourned after the final vote.
Meeting Transcript
All right, I'll call this meeting to order. Uh welcome. Um 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 a full membership is necessary for approval of any action by the board. A seven-member board requires five votes, a six-member board requires five votes, and a five-member board requires five votes. In accordance with Roberts' 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 zoning requirements where special conditions exist with special condition conditions existing on the land will result in unnecessary hardship for the applicant. Financial disadvantage to the property owner owner shall not constitute proof of unnecessary hardship. The first item on the agenda is the approval or excuse me, is the roll call. Ryan, could you note the role for us? We have seven members present this evening. We do have one member absent. Uh Letty is absent this evening. Thank you. Uh next item on the agenda is the approval of the agenda. Uh quick note on the agenda. Uh at item number four, we will be convening as the board of adjustment after the first two items under number four. We will then uh adjourn as the board of adjustment and reconvene as the planning commission. Um I'll entertain a motion for approval of the agenda. So moved solemn. I've got a motion and a second. Are there any further comments on the agenda? Uh seeing none. All in favor of approving the agenda signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed. Okay, the next item on the agenda uh is the approval of the minutes from the December third meeting. I'll entertain a motion for approval of the minutes. So moved. Second. I've got a motion and a second. Are there any comments on the meet minutes from the last meeting? Uh hearing none, all in favor of approving the minutes signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. All opposed. All right, we will uh now convene as a board of adjustment. Um item number four. Uh first item under number four is a variance, assigned variance for the Brooking Health System. Thank you. Notices hereby given that the Breakings Health System has made a request for a variance on lot 106 of Mayland's edition, also noted known as 2311 Yorkshire Drive. The request is for a 55 square foot sign. The maximum size for an individual sign in the business B2A office district is 40 square feet. Uh Ryan, can you introduce the topic for us? Thank you, Mr. Chair. The first item on tonight's agenda is a variance uh for the Brookings Health System located at 2311 Yorkshire Drive. The property is located in a business B2A office district.
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