OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Brookings Planning Zoning Commission Meeting - March 3, 2026

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, March 3, 2026
BodyBrookings, South Dakota
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, March 3, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:29:40

Transcript — Verbatim
1:06

All right, we're gonna get started.

1:08

Um, welcome to the City of Brookings Planning Zoning Commission meeting.

1:11

Uh Brian, can you call a roll?

1:15

Roll as noted, we do have Letty Jameson and Schmeichel absent.

1:22

Thank you.

1:25

Entertain a motion for approval of the agenda.

1:33

So move.

1:34

So any discussion on the agenda.

1:42

All in favor signify by saying aye.

1:45

Aye.

1:45

All opposed.

1:49

I'll entertain a motion for approval of the minutes.

1:52

So moved.

1:54

Second.

1:56

Thank you.

1:57

Any comments on the corrections to the minutes.

2:01

Uh seeing none of all in favor say aye.

2:04

Aye.

2:05

Aye.

2:05

All opposed.

2:08

Okay, we'll move on to item four, the open forum.

2:12

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

2:19

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

2:23

Any requested action items may be scheduled for a future date.

2:35

All right.

2:35

Seeing none, we'll convene now is the Board of Adjustment.

2:40

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

2:46

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

2:52

A seven-member board requires five votes, a six-member board requires five votes, and a five-member member board requires five votes.

3:00

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

3:07

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

3:10

The board, under specific powers granted it by the state, shall authorize variances from zoning requirements where special conditions existing on the land will result in unnecessary hardship for the applicant.

3:32

Next item on the agenda is uh 5A, a variance request.

3:39

Notice hereby given that Clint Anderson has made a request for two variances on lot six, excluding the West 40, all of Lot 7 and Lot 8 of Railroads addition, also known as 108 118 front street.

3:53

The first request is for a reduced rear yard setback.

3:57

The second is for a reduced front yard setback per section 94-137.

4:02

The minimum rear setback is 20 feet, and the minimum front yard setback is 40 feet.

4:08

Ryan, can you introduce a topic?

4:10

Thank you, Mr.

4:11

Chair.

4:12

The first item on the agenda is a set of variances for eight oh or one oh eight and eight eight eleven eighteen front street.

4:20

Uh the applicant is Clint Anderson.

4:22

This is located in an industrial I2 heavy district.

4:26

There are two requests here.

4:28

Uh one for a reduced front yard setback.

4:31

Uh the request would be for a 7.8 foot front yard setback when 40 is required.

4:36

And the second request is for a reduced rear yard setback of nine point six feet when 20 feet is required.

4:44

Staff recommendation for the variance of approval.

5:00

Due to special conditions, a literal enforcement of the provisions of the ordinance will result in unnecessary hardship, and the variance shall not violate the spirit of the ordinance, and substantial justice may be achieved as a result of the variance.

5:11

Unique circumstances apply to the property, which do not apply to other properties in the same vicinity or district.

5:17

The variance is necessary for the preservation of a property right that is substantially the same as that of possessed by other owners of other property in the same district.

5:25

The variance requested is the minimum variance which would alleviate the hardship and reasonable use of the property is not permitted under the terms of this chapter.

5:33

The property shown in the blue outlined parcel here, 108 and 118 front street.

5:40

118 front street uh did receive a variance for the rear setback.

5:46

They received a variance for a 10-foot rear yard setback on the south side facing the railroad.

5:53

108 is also owned by uh they're owned in common, and the applicant would like to demolish 108 front street and expand 118 front street with a similar uh footprint, utilizing that uh reduced setback on the south.

6:10

Because it would be an expansion, they would need to renew that variance for the expanded portion of the building.

6:18

And they are also seeking a variance on the uh west portion of the building for a front yard setback to the west.

6:27

This is the proposed site plan showing where that building expansion would take place again, utilizing the the existing setback on the south and extending that building uh to the west within 7.8 feet of the west property line.

6:44

That does end staff's report, and we would stand for any questions.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████████████████████████33%
Affordable Housing██████████████████████22%
Procedural███████████████15%
Planning Commission███████7%
Training And Development█████5%
Community Engagement█████5%
Municipal Code Management████4%
Technology and Innovation████4%
Transportation Safety██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Brookings Planning Zoning Commission Meeting - March 3, 2026

The Brookings Planning Zoning Commission convened on March 3, 2026, at 11:30 AM. The meeting included a Board of Adjustment session and a Planning Commission session. Key actions included approval of two variance requests for Clint Anderson, a rezone and preliminary plat for Bluegill Inc., and discussions on home occupation ordinance amendments and the 2025 annual report. No public comments were made during the open forum.

Consent Calendar

  • Unanimous approval of the agenda and previous meeting minutes without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Item 5A – Variance Request (Clint Anderson): Sean Storhawk, a neighboring business owner, spoke in favor, stating he has rented adjacent property since 2013 and had no issues with the applicant's operations. He supported the proposal, noting similar variance challenges on his own property. No opposition was voiced.

Discussion Items

  • Item 5A – Variance Request for 108 & 118 Front Street: Staff (Ryan) presented a request from Clint Anderson for two variances on a property in the I2 heavy industrial district: a reduced front yard setback (7.8 feet vs. 40 feet required) and a reduced rear yard setback (9.6 feet vs. 20 feet required). A prior variance for the rear setback existed for 118 Front Street. The applicant plans to expand an existing building to the west for wheelchair accessibility. Staff recommended approval based on special conditions, unnecessary hardship, and minimum variance needed. The board asked questions about the significance of the reductions and the rationale for the 7.8-foot dimension, which the applicant said was to align with the existing car wash building. The motion to approve both variances passed unanimously (6-0).
  • Item 6A – Rezone (Bluegill Inc.): Staff presented a request to rezone portions of Bluegill 2nd and 3rd Editions from Agricultural (AG) and R1D to R1D and R3. The area is on the southern end of Ace Avenue and Lucerne Avenue, intended to align with a revised preliminary plat. Staff recommended approval. Public testimony included comments from Wade Price of Bluegill Inc., who confirmed plans to extend 23rd Street to 22nd Avenue. Commission members noted the continuity of R3 zoning to the north. Motion to approve passed unanimously (6-0).
  • Item 6B – Preliminary Plat (Bluegill Inc.): A preliminary plat for the same area, creating blocks and lots zoned R1D and R3. Staff recommendation was approval. Discussion included questions about a drainage lot (Lot 1 of Block 4) and a flagpole lot (Lot 6) due to odd shape. The applicant noted a parks department request for a trail connection, which they supported. Motion to approve passed unanimously (6-0).
  • Item 6C – Home Occupation Ordinance Amendments (Discussion Only): Staff presented proposed changes to Section 94-362, introducing three categories: no impact (no permit, allowed by right), minor home occupation (administrative permit), and major home occupation (conditional use). Key revisions included removing internet-based business language, adding general standards (signage, sales, inventory limits, prohibited activities), and clarifying storage limits. The item was for discussion only because a required public notice was missed; action is scheduled for April. Commissioners praised the clarity and flexibility of the revised framework, particularly the no-impact category for teleworkers. Questions arose about enforcement of vague language (e.g., "internal alterations not customary in a dwelling unit") and dissemination of changes to the public. Staff explained the adoption process (public hearings, ordinance, Municode updates) and confirmed existing home occupations would not be affected.
  • Item 6D – 2025 Annual Report Discussion: Staff presented the draft annual report for the Board of Adjustment and Planning Commission, highlighting key projects (100% completion of Civic Zoning implementation, 50% completion of training), development statistics (56 new residential lots platted, 58 preliminary platted, 4 preliminary plats, 7 rezones, 24 variance requests reviewed, etc.), and challenges such as maintaining developer liaison roles and improving onboarding. Commissioners discussed adding parking requirement evaluations, accessory structure standards, quarterly development updates, collaboration with other boards, and training opportunities (e.g., Western Planner Conference in Sioux Falls, August 26-28). The annual report will be finalized and presented at a future council retreat.

Key Outcomes

  • Item 5A: Variances Approved – Motion to approve both reduced front and rear yard setbacks for Clint Anderson (108 & 118 Front Street) carried unanimously (6-0).
  • Item 6A: Rezone Recommended for Approval – Motion to recommend approval of the rezone to the City Council carried unanimously (6-0).
  • Item 6B: Preliminary Plat Recommended for Approval – Motion to recommend approval of the preliminary plat to the City Council carried unanimously (6-0).
  • Item 6C: Home Occupation Amendments – No action taken; public hearing scheduled for April 2026.
  • Item 6D: Annual Report – Discussion concluded; staff will incorporate commissioner feedback and present to council at an undetermined date.
  • Future Items: Conflict of interest training scheduled for March 17, 2026; Western Planner Conference August 26-28, 2026; potential quarterly development updates and developer panel discussions.

Meeting Transcript

All right, we're gonna get started. Um, welcome to the City of Brookings Planning Zoning Commission meeting. Uh Brian, can you call a roll? Roll as noted, we do have Letty Jameson and Schmeichel absent. Thank you. Entertain a motion for approval of the agenda. So move. So any discussion on the agenda. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed. I'll entertain a motion for approval of the minutes. So moved. Second. Thank you. Any comments on the corrections to the minutes. Uh seeing none of all in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. All opposed. Okay, we'll move on to item four, the open forum. This time any member of the public may make a brief announcement or invitation, request time in the agenda for an item not listed. Uh items to be added to the agenda will be scheduled at the end of the meeting. Any requested action items may be scheduled for a future date. All right. Seeing none, we'll convene now is the Board of Adjustment. 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 member board requires five votes. In accordance with Robert's 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 existing on the land will result in unnecessary hardship for the applicant. Next item on the agenda is uh 5A, a variance request. Notice hereby given that Clint Anderson has made a request for two variances on lot six, excluding the West 40, all of Lot 7 and Lot 8 of Railroads addition, also known as 108 118 front street. The first request is for a reduced rear yard setback. The second is for a reduced front yard setback per section 94-137. The minimum rear setback is 20 feet, and the minimum front yard setback is 40 feet. Ryan, can you introduce a topic? Thank you, Mr. Chair. The first item on the agenda is a set of variances for eight oh or one oh eight and eight eight eleven eighteen front street. Uh the applicant is Clint Anderson. This is located in an industrial I2 heavy district. There are two requests here. Uh one for a reduced front yard setback. Uh the request would be for a 7.8 foot front yard setback when 40 is required. And the second request is for a reduced rear yard setback of nine point six feet when 20 feet is required. Staff recommendation for the variance of approval. Due to special conditions, a literal enforcement of the provisions of the ordinance will result in unnecessary hardship, and the variance shall not violate the spirit of the ordinance, and substantial justice may be achieved as a result of the variance. Unique circumstances apply to the property, which do not apply to other properties in the same vicinity or district.

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