OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Brookings Planning Commission Meeting - October 7, 2025

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, October 7, 2025
BodyBrookings, South Dakota
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, October 7, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 54:40

Transcript — Verbatim
1:10

Good evening, everyone.

1:12

I will now call this meeting to order.

1:13

I would like to welcome those in attendance at the state's meeting.

1:17

City Planning Commission is a nine member commission whose function is to make recommendations to the city commission regarding requests for land use classification changes, subdivision plots, conditional use permits, zoning ordinance amendments, and other matters.

1:33

The commission makes their recommendation based upon the adopted comprehensive plan for the physical development of the city of Brookings and the surrounding area.

1:42

As a matter of policy, all motions are made in the positive.

1:46

After a motion is moved and seconded, it is open for debate.

1:50

Those supporting the motion shall in turn give their reasons.

1:54

Those opposing the motion so then offer their reasons.

1:58

After everyone has been given a chance to be heard, the commission shall review the testimony and information presented, make finding of facts, and forward their recommendation to the city commission.

2:12

First item on tonight's agenda is roll call.

2:17

Roll is noted with Commissioner Schmeichel joining via the phone and Commissioner Jameson absent.

2:25

Thanks, Ryan.

2:27

Um now approve the agenda.

2:29

Is there a motion to do so?

2:31

So move for second.

2:36

All those in favor?

2:38

Aye.

2:38

Aye.

2:39

Motion passes.

2:40

Uh next item on the agenda, approval of the minutes.

2:45

Approval of September second, twenty twenty-five minutes.

2:48

So move.

2:53

All those in favor?

2:54

Aye.

2:55

Aye.

2:56

Minutes are approved.

2:57

Um item number four, open forum.

3:01

At this time, any member of the public may make a brief announcement or invitation or request time on the agenda for an item not listed.

3:10

Items to be added to the agenda will be scheduled at the end of the meeting.

3:14

Any requested action items may be scheduled for future meeting dates.

3:20

Individuals with state will state their name and city of residence for the record.

3:25

Public comment is limited to a maximum of three minutes per person.

3:29

The comments and views expressed by the public are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the City of Brookings or the City Planning Commission.

3:40

Is there anyone here that would like to?

3:43

Seeing none, we'll move on.

3:46

Um we will now convene as the Board of Adjustment.

3:49

The Board of Adjustment is a seven-member board, which has the power to hear requests for variances and special exceptions.

3:58

The concurring vote of two-thirds of all the full membership is necessary for approval of any action by the board.

4:06

In accordance with Robert's rule of order, we require a motion to approve a request before the request can be debated.

4:14

As a matter of policy, all motions are made in the positive.

4:45

Um variants for thirty-one zero zero six street sign size.

5:09

Brian, would you introduce the topic?

5:13

Thank you, Mr.

5:13

Chair.

5:14

The first item on the agenda is a variance for a sign at 3106th Street.

5:22

The request is for a 240 square foot size, according to section 94, 473, table three, the maximum size for a sign in the zoning district, uh B3 heavy district is 160 square feet.

5:38

The applicant of Stein sign display on the behalf of the property owner.

5:42

This item was uh brought to the planning uh the board of adjustment at our previous meeting in September for a request for 268 square feet.

5:51

Uh that variance was denied.

5:53

Uh the same applicant is now proposing the 240 square foot sign uh beyond the 160 square foot allowed.

6:00

The staff recommendation for the variance is approve, and the board of adjustments action would be to approve or deny 3106th Street is shown in the property outlined in blue, with the red box being the approximate location for the sign.

6:17

Uh this is located on the south side of 6th Street, uh, between uh LaFever Drive and 32nd Avenue east of uh Interstate 29.

6:29

A site plan shows where the sign would be located, it would meet the setback requirements for um a sign and the proposed renderings of the uh 240 square foot sign if you have 13 foot three inch by 18 foot and a rendering of how the sign would look on the property.

6:55

Staff recommends approval and staff and stand for any questions.

7:03

Thanks, Ryan.

7:05

Um, is there a motion to approve the variant?

7:09

Mr.

7:10

Chair, I move to approve uh the 240 square foot sign.

7:17

I'll second.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Conditional Use Permit████████████████████████████████32%
Procedural████████████████████████████28%
Open Meeting Laws███████████████15%
Zoning Regulations████████████12%
Signage Regulations█████████9%
Public Engagement████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Brookings Planning Commission Meeting – October 7, 2025

The Brookings Planning Commission met on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 5:30 PM in the Chambers Room of the Brookings City & County Government Center. The meeting included a variance request as the Board of Adjustment, a rezone petition, a conditional use permit application, and a review of South Dakota Open Meeting Laws. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Agenda: Motion passed unanimously.
  • Approval of Minutes: Minutes from September 2, 2025, approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Open Forum: No members of the public spoke.

Board of Adjustment – Variance (3100 6th Street – Sign Size)

  • The applicant, Jason Crow of Stein Sign Display, requested a variance for a 240-square-foot sign at 3100 6th Street. The maximum allowed size in the B3 Heavy District is 160 square feet. A similar request for 268 square feet was denied the previous month.
  • Crow cited a hardship due to a 140-foot setback from the road, arguing that a larger sign improves readability and driver safety by reducing the time needed to view the message at 35 mph.
  • Staff recommended approval. The Board approved the variance unanimously (8-0, with one commissioner absent).

Discussion Items

Rezone – Outlot 19 (213 W Hwy 14 Bypass)

  • Petitioner Todd Voss requested rezoning the 213 W Hwy 14 Bypass property from Residential R3 Apartment District to Business B3 Heavy District. The Future Land Use Map designates the area as Business Park, supporting the requested zoning.
  • The property historically housed a fraternity; the petitioner intends to use existing structures for his business without additions.
  • Staff recommended approval. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval to the City Council.

Conditional Use Permit – Office (717 & 719 Main Avenue)

  • Applicant Bo McLeod (Bam Bam Properties LLC) sought a conditional use permit for office use in the Residential R2 Two-Family District. The property previously housed a dental office but had been vacant for over a year, triggering the need for a new permit.
  • Staff recommended approval with the condition that the permit is non-transferable.
  • During public testimony, neighbor Christy Tarnquist expressed support for the improvements but asked about signage (limited by R2 district rules) and whether the approval could allow mixed-use or future conversions to office in the neighborhood. Staff clarified that the permit covers the entire building as an office and that no broader discussions about changing the R2 district are planned.
  • The Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval to the City Council.

Review of SD Open Meeting Laws

  • City Clerk Bonnie Foster presented a review of South Dakota Open Meeting Laws, as required by new state legislation (SB 74). Key points:
    • Official meetings require quorum (more than half of appointed members, excluding vacancies) and must be open to the public with 24-hour advance notice.
    • Electronic communications (email, text, phone) among board members can constitute an illegal meeting if not handled carefully; staff recommended using BCC for group emails.
    • Public comment is required at regular meetings; the City Council precedent of three minutes per person was noted, but the Chair has discretion to adjust based on circumstances.
    • Meetings may be recorded by the public as long as it is not disruptive; closed sessions are allowed only for specific statutory reasons (e.g., personnel, litigation, economic development).
    • The new law primarily provided clarification and added definitions.
    • Commissioner Schmeichel participated via phone; concerns about audio quality were raised. The city currently uses a telephone conference line due to unreliable video in the chambers.

Key Outcomes

  • Variance (3100 6th Street): Approved unanimously. (Board of Adjustment action)
  • Rezone (213 W Hwy 14 Bypass): Recommended for approval to City Council unanimously.
  • Conditional Use Permit (717 & 719 Main Avenue): Recommended for approval to City Council unanimously, with condition that it is non-transferable.
  • Open Meeting Laws Review: Presentation accepted; no action required.
  • Next Steps: Rezone and CUP items will advance to City Council for a first reading and public hearing.
  • Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:50 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. I will now call this meeting to order. I would like to welcome those in attendance at the state's meeting. City Planning Commission is a nine member commission whose function is to make recommendations to the city commission regarding requests for land use classification changes, subdivision plots, 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 the 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 so then offer their reasons. After everyone has been given a chance to be heard, the commission shall review the testimony and information presented, make finding of facts, and forward their recommendation to the city commission. First item on tonight's agenda is roll call. Roll is noted with Commissioner Schmeichel joining via the phone and Commissioner Jameson absent. Thanks, Ryan. Um now approve the agenda. Is there a motion to do so? So move for second. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Motion passes. Uh next item on the agenda, approval of the minutes. Approval of September second, twenty twenty-five minutes. So move. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Minutes are approved. Um item number four, open forum. At this time, any member of the public may make a brief announcement or invitation or request time on the agenda for an item not listed. Items to be added to the agenda will be scheduled at the end of the meeting. Any requested action items may be scheduled for future meeting dates. Individuals with state will state their name and city of residence for the record. Public comment is limited to a maximum of three minutes per person. The comments and views expressed by the public are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the City of Brookings or the City Planning Commission. Is there anyone here that would like to? Seeing none, we'll move on. Um we will now 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 all the full membership is necessary for approval of any action by the board. In accordance with Robert's rule 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. Um variants for thirty-one zero zero six street sign size. Brian, would you introduce the topic? Thank you, Mr. Chair. The first item on the agenda is a variance for a sign at 3106th Street. The request is for a 240 square foot size, according to section 94, 473, table three, the maximum size for a sign in the zoning district, uh B3 heavy district is 160 square feet. The applicant of Stein sign display on the behalf of the property owner. This item was uh brought to the planning uh the board of adjustment at our previous meeting in September for a request for 268 square feet. Uh that variance was denied.

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