Brookings Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment Meeting – September 1, 2026
The Brookings Planning Commission met on September 1, 2026, at 5:30 PM, and convened as the Board of Adjustment to consider a variance request for a two-family dwelling. The commission approved the minutes from August 4, 2026, and unanimously approved the variance after hearing testimony from the applicant and staff. Additional updates were provided on subcommittee onboarding and by-laws.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of the agenda was moved, seconded, and passed unanimously.
- Approval of the minutes from the August 4, 2026, meeting was moved, seconded, and passed unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Applicant Kyle Pradell spoke in favor of the variance, describing the lot (50 feet wide, 8,250 square feet) and stating that the variances are minimal. He noted the area is undergoing redevelopment and that his tenants in similar properties have been respectful. He also stated that he had contacted neighbor David Houk to the north, who had no issue. No other public testimony was offered in favor or opposition.
Discussion Items
- Variance – Lot Area & Lot Width (ID 26-0339): The Board of Adjustment considered a request from Kyle Pradell for a two-family dwelling on Lots 10 and 11 of Block 2 of Mathews and Scobeys Addition (221 Sixth Avenue South). The lot currently has a 50-foot width (requirement: 65 feet) and an area of 8,250 square feet (requirement: 8,400 square feet). Staff recommended approval, noting that the proposed dwelling meets all other site requirements (side setbacks, front yard, rear yard, parking). The existing single-family house and garage would be demolished. Board members questioned the applicant about lot dimensions, the existing buildings, and the placement of a street-facing garage. Staff confirmed that no additional variances were needed for the driveway and that the zoning district does not prohibit street-facing garages. The board discussed the hardship and uniqueness of the lot due to its size in a redeveloping area.
- Subcommittee Updates: At the end of the meeting, the chair noted that requests regarding onboarding and training have been moved to November. Questions about by-laws have been forwarded to the city attorney, with no response received yet.
Key Outcomes
- Approval of Variance (Motion by Solum, second by Schmeichel): The Board of Adjustment voted unanimously (6-0) to approve the variance for lot area and lot width, allowing the two-family dwelling on the nonconforming lot. The roll call: Schmeichel (yes), Jamison (yes), Spear (yes), Hinrichs (yes), Solum (yes), Limmer (yes). Three members (Braun, Leddy, Aitken) were absent.
- Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent after the variance decision and brief administrative updates.
Meeting Transcript
All right, good evening. Um I'll call this meeting order. I'd like to welcome those in attendance to tonight's meeting. City Planning Commission is a nine member commission whose function is to make recommendations of City Council regarding requests for land use, classification changes, subdivision plats, 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 shall then offer their reasons. After everyone has been given a chance to be heard, the commission shall review the testimony and information presented, make findings of fact and forward their recommendation to the city council. Uh Bailey, can you call the roll, please? Roll as noted with Braun, Letty, and Aitkin absent. Thank you. We'll now move on to item two, approval of the agenda. Can I get a motion and a second? So moved. Second solo. Any comments on the agenda? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed. Item three, approval of minutes from the August 4th, 2026 meeting. Can I get a motion and a second? So move, soin Rich. Thank you. Any comments or adjust amendments to the minutes. Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed, same sign. Okay, we now move on to item number four, open forum. At this time, any member of the public may make a brief announcement or invitation or request time in 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 a future meeting date. Individuals will state their name and city of rev 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 speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the City of Brookings or the City Planning Commission. Anyone interested. Seeing none, we will now move on to item five, disclosure of conflicts of interest relationships to the applicant or ex parte communication. All right, moving right along. We'll now uh convene as the Board of Adjustment. Board of Adjustment is a seven-member board, which has the power to hear requests for variances and the special exceptions. The concurring vote of two-thirds of the 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, 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 the zoning requirements where special conditions existing on the land will result in unnecessary hardship for the applicant. Financial disadvantage to the property owner shall not constitute proof of unnecessary hardship. All right, we'll move on to the only item on tonight's agenda for action, which is item six. The request is a bill the two-family dwelling on a lot that is 50 feet wide and has an area of 8,250 square feet per section 94128, two family dwellings require a minimum lot area of 8400 square feet and a minimum lot width of 65 seat feet. Bailey, can you introduce the topic?
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