Brookings City Council Meeting - October 21, 2025

The Brookings City Council convened on October 21, 2025, to review the initial findings of the "First Impressions" secret shopper program and to discuss a proposed overhaul of the home occupation zoning ordinance. The meeting featured updates from SDSU Extension on community vitality trends and a detailed presentation by staff on shifting from a use-based to an intensity-based model for home occupations.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda was approved following a motion by Council Members Warren, Nee, and Specker (attendance recorded). No items were raised for modification on the consent calendar during the session.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Emily Clun and Kelly Cole (SDSU Extension): Presented the "First Impressions" report, emphasizing a shift toward asset-based community development. They highlighted that while jobs are important, safety, simplicity, and affordable housing are primary drivers for rural "brain gain" (return migration). They noted that 10 visitors from Aberdeen participated, though their spouses/friends increased the perspective pool.
• Council Member Duran: Expressed strong appreciation for the "First Impressions" report, noting its potential to serve as a powerful tool to convince community naysayers or naysayers in other municipalities to invest in town assets. He stated he believes the report could provide the necessary "wind at the back" for smaller communities requiring investment.
• Council Member Duran (follow-up): Discussed the public perception of public transportation, noting that the reported lack of visibility may be a data gap rather than a lack of service (e.g., Beta, Lyft, Uber). He suggested that improved communication regarding existing options might resolve the perception barrier.
• Council Member Tilton Burn: Echoed sentiments regarding the power of the report to influence community investment decisions and praised the city for its hard work in maintaining the community's beauty and functionality.

Discussion Items

First Impressions Program Update

• Presentation: Emily Clun and Kelly Cole presented key findings from 10 Aberdeen-based secret shoppers who visited Brookings between July and August.
• Positive Observations: Visitors universally praised the community as "welcoming," "clean," and "friendly." Key highlights included:
  • Abundant and well-maintained flowers, greenery, and landscaping.
  • A vibrant, walkable downtown with a cohesive brand voice on official websites.
  • Strong community engagement, family-friendly attractions (Children's Museum, Dakota Nature Park, Farmers Market), and the presence of a strong university connection.
  • Safety and the "neighborly" feel of the town.
• Concerns and Opportunities:
  • Housing: A recurring concern was the limited supply of entry-level and affordable housing, particularly for college graduates and young families. Newer developments were noted as potentially priced out of reach for some.
  • Public Transportation: Visitors outside downtown noted a lack of visible public transportation options, describing the area as car-dependent. Staff clarified this may be a visibility issue rather than a lack of service (Beta, taxis, rideshare), as visitors arrived in personal vehicles.
  • Youth Appeal: Suggestions were made for more youth-oriented cultural programming (e.g., jazz festivals, arts) that extends beyond the collegiate sphere to attract and retain young adults.
  • Infrastructure: Specific mentions of older infrastructure needing upkeep, including the city water tower (noted as needing painting) and aging sidewalks outside the downtown core.
  • Parking Details: While parking was abundant, visitors struggled online to find specific parking details, despite the physical abundance.
• Council Response: Council members deferred to staff and community experts (Parks, Visit Brookings, Downtown Association) to lead a strategic planning session to address these findings. They encouraged using the unbiased report to build momentum for capital improvements.

Home Occupation Zoning Ordinance Review

• Current Status: Staff, led by Associate Planner Bailey Maka, proposed moving from a classification system (Minor/Major based on specific uses like hair salons) to an intensity-based system (No Impact, Minor, Major).
• Proposed Categories:
  • No Impact: Allowed by right with no permit. Includes computer/internet-based businesses with no off-site sales, traffic, or noise increase (e.g., remote workers, authors). This category was proposed to eliminate unnecessary administrative burden for home-based work that currently falls under Minor.
  • Minor: Requires a Zoning and Use Registration Permit (ZERP). Limited to 500 sq ft or 1st floor only, no employees outside the residence, and "by appointment only" client visits (though staff questioned enforcing "4 visits per day" limits). Focus on low-impact services like counseling or minor crafts.
  • Major: Requires Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and Planning Commission recommendation. Allows one outside employee, up to 50% of floor area, potential on-site sales, and storage in accessory structures. Includes businesses with higher traffic or noise (e.g., machining, woodworking).
  • Prohibited: Includes toxic/explosive materials in large quantities, offensive odors/noise, or using the property primarily for business rather than residential use.
• Council Deliberations:
  • Definition of "No Impact": Council members questioned if remote workers with no other business establishment should be "No Impact" rather than "Minor." Consensus emerged that "No Impact" should allow for unrestricted remote work to reduce staff burden.
  • Gray Areas: Discussion addressed complexities regarding MLMs, on-site sales via online orders (Facebook Marketplace), and materials like firearms or cleaning chemicals. Council noted that quantities and purpose (personal vs. business use) must be evaluated to determine if items like ammunition or cleaning solvents constitute a hazard.
  • Enforcement: Concerns were raised about the enforceability of visit limits and the difficulty of detecting unreported businesses. The proposed shift to intensity criteria was viewed as a necessary step to modernize the code in light of post-pandemic remote work trends.
  • Landlord Consent: It was confirmed that rental property owners must provide consent for any home occupation.

Key Outcomes

• First Impressions Program: The Council accepted the report and directed staff and community partners to organize a strategic planning session to prioritize improvements based on visitor feedback, specifically targeting housing affordability, youth programming, and increased visibility of public transportation services.
• Home Occupation Ordinance: The Council agreed in principle with the staff's proposal to adopt an intensity-based classification system (No Impact, Minor, Major) instead of listing specific uses. Further refinement of the "No Impact" criteria and guidance on "gray area" businesses (e.g., online sales, specific hazardous materials) was requested before the ordinance is finalized and reviewed by the Planning Commission.
• Schedule: The next council meeting is scheduled for October 28, 2025, to cover surplus property, park donations, budget ordinances, and special assessments.