Brookings City Planning Commission Meeting 2025-11-04

The City of Brookings City Planning Commission convened on November 4, 2025, to hear requests for variances through the Board of Adjustment and consider rezoning petitions and conditional use permits through the Planning Commission. The meeting covered seven distinct agenda items, ranging from residential property adjustments in the R1A district to a major fire station construction project. Staff generally recommended approval for most items, often citing specific site conditions, neighborhood character, or public safety needs, while the board voted unanimously on most actions.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the October 7, 2025, meeting minutes.
• Approval of the agenda as presented.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Andrew Rostram (Applicant, 1214 Western Avenue): Expressed full support for his own request to expand an accessory building, arguing that the property (32,000 sq. ft.) is effectively industrial in context due to neighbors' contractor operations and that the neighborhood lacks typical residential amenities like sidewalks.
• Doug Ostrom (Neighbor, 1222 Western Avenue): Expressed support for Rostram's variance, noting the area is a long-standing mixed-use neighborhood where the new structure would be visually screened and not intrusive to daily operations.
• Kevin Grunwald (Applicant, 208 8th Street): Stated support for his request to build a two-family dwelling on a 64-foot lot, describing the site as a condemned property being remediated and noting the surrounding area already contains multiple duplexes and apartments.
• Sterling Fetting (Applicant, 236 Heather Lane West): Expressed support for expanding a driveway, clarifying the extension is strictly to access a future garage as permitted by city guidance.
• Jeremy Scott (Deputy Chief, Brookings Fire Department): Explained the necessity of the new fire station at 203 Front Street, emphasizing the need to maintain coverage in the northwest quarter and the critical need for on-site decontamination and mental health decompression rooms.
• Stuart Appland (Resident, 313 2nd Avenue): Expressed cautious support but raised concerns regarding drainage and potential parking overflow affecting residents west of the new station.
• Travis Harsma (Owner/Developer, 1115 West 20th Street South): Expressed support for rezoning to allow small acreage lots, stating the change aligns with neighbor concerns and comprehensive plan recommendations for the area.
• Chad Borchard (Applicant, 709 Main Avenue): Expressed support for a Conditional Use Permit for a counseling office, noting the low traffic volume (12-15 sessions/week) and the group practice's aim to help professionals serve clients part-time.
• Christy Tarnquist (Neighbor, 727 Main Avenue): Expressed support but requested clarification on signage visibility and parking logistics.
• Commissioner Limmer (Member): Expressed opposition to the six-foot ornamental iron fence variance (Item 5D) specifically regarding front yard height restrictions, though this did not block the final motion.
• Commissioner Schmeichel (Member): Expressed caution regarding the fire station fence and drainage, and later expressed support for the final fire station motion after clarification.

Discussion Items

Variances (Board of Adjustment)

• Item 5A (1214 Western Avenue): Discussion focused on whether the existing structures were pre-existing non-conforming uses. Commission staff noted the current ordinance limits accessory buildings to 1,000 sq. ft. or 25% of the rear yard; the property currently has 2,800 sq. ft. The applicant argued the lot's size and industrial neighborhood context justified the variance.
• Item 5B (208 8th Street): Staff recommended approval for a one-foot lot width variance (64 ft requested vs. 65 ft required) for a two-family dwelling, citing existing alley access and the mixed-use nature of the neighborhood.
• Item 5C (236 Heather Lane West): Clarified that the driveway variance (41 ft max) is approved regardless of whether the future garage is built, though the variance is voided if improvements are not completed within three years.
• Item 5D (2101 Freedom Street): Discussion clarified that the property is a corner lot with two front yards, which necessitates a variance for a six-foot fence (ordinance limit is four feet) even though the ornamental iron design is 75% transparent.
• Item 5E (203 Front Street - Fire Station): Discussion covered four interrelated variances: reduced setbacks, a 100-foot wide driveway, and a buffer fence. Fire Department officials detailed the need for decontamination facilities to protect firefighter health and mental health decompression rooms. Neighbor concerns regarding drainage and parking were addressed, with staff confirming drainage remains internal and parking approval is a separate process.

Rezoning and Conditional Use (Planning Commission)

• Item 6A (1115 West 20th Street South): Discussion addressed changing a rezoning from R3 (apartments) to R1A (single family) to allow for 10-15 smaller lots instead of the previously proposed large-scale apartment development. Staff supported the change as consistent with the comprehensive plan for medium-density residential areas.
• Item 6B (Tel Camp Industrial Park): Discussion involved rezoning land from I1R (restricted) to I1 (light industrial) to reduce landscaping requirements and allow more flexible development, consistent with adjacent properties.
• Item 6C (709 Main Avenue): Discussion focused on the "Growth Collective LLC" counseling office. Staff recommended approval with conditions limiting the use to three suites and making it non-transferable. The applicant clarified that the practice generates minimal traffic compared to residential rentals.

Key Outcomes

• Item 5A (1214 Western Ave Variances): Approved 7-0. Applicant instructed to obtain a building permit.
• Item 5B (208 8th Street Variance): Approved 7-0. Applicant instructed to obtain a building permit.
• Item 5C (236 Heather Lane West Driveway): Approved 7-0.
• Item 5D (2101 Freedom Street Fence): Approved 7-1 (Commissioner Schmeichel voted no). Motion carried.
• Item 5E (203 Front Street Fire Station Variances): Approved 7-0. All four interrelated variances approved together.
• Item 6A (1115 West 20th Street Rezoning): Approved 8-0 (Commissioner Letty included in vote count). Recommendation forwarded to City Council.
• Item 6B (Tel Camp Industrial Park Rezoning): Approved 8-0. Recommendation forwarded to City Council.
• Item 6C (709 Main Avenue CUP): Approved 8-0. Approval granted with conditions: limited to three office suites and non-transferable. Recommendation forwarded to City Council.
• Nominating Committee: Volunteers Kyle Helmerman, Billy Joe Heinrichs, and Emily Limmer agreed to serve on the 2025-2026 Nominating Committee to select the next Board of Adjustment Chair and Vice-Chair.
• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned after all items were concluded.