Joint City Council and Planning Commission Special Session – March 17, 2026

The Spearfish City Council and Planning Commission held a joint special session on March 17, 2026 (agenda start time 5:30 p.m., though minutes record an earlier call to order at 4:15 p.m.) as a study session to review the Development Regulations Analysis and draft Engineering Design Standards. No formal votes or decisions were made; the session focused on presentations, discussion, and public comment.

Discussion Items

• Presentation of Development Regulations Analysis: Elizabeth Garvin and Maggie Squyer of Clarion Associates presented findings from an assessment of Title 15 (land usage). They highlighted five objectives: evaluate what works/doesn’t, identify opportunities to implement adopted plans, highlight best practices, discuss regulations for well-managed growth, and outline updates for user-friendly codes. Key gaps included inconsistent zoning districts (e.g., R1, R2, R3 all requiring 8,000 sq ft minimum lot area), lack of consolidated use tables, unclear subdivision procedures, and no administrative adjustment allowance. Three high-impact opportunities were identified: overhaul land development regulations, clean up review procedures, and clarify community growth policies.
• Presentation of Engineering Design Standards: City Engineer Kyle Mathis and Staff Engineer Abby Larson presented the draft standards, developed over several years. The document covers sections on street design, wastewater collection, water distribution, storm drainage, grading, street lighting, and development process/submittal requirements. Notable updates from the June 2025 draft include an established appeals process, reorganization of Section 800, traffic impact study revisions, and removal of a proposed minimum 10-lot plat requirement. The standards aim to create consistency, protect public safety, and ensure quality infrastructure that the city will maintain. A tentative adoption schedule was outlined, with planning commission review on April 7, 2026, city council first reading on April 20, and potential adoption on May 4, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• James Sherer (903 Sunset Drive): Asked about zero lot clearance after removal of minimum lot requirement. Staff clarified that only the engineering standards' proposed 10-lot minimum was removed; zoning regulations on lot size remain unchanged.
• Jayna Watson (52 Pearson Drive): Emphasized that the zoning ordinance is a living document with many updates over years (e.g., downtown parking reductions, CB-1 incentive plan). Asked where engineering standards can be found online; staff responded at spearfish.gov/899/standards-and-specifications.
• Tate Johnson (2011 Red Oak Circle): Requested a summary of responses to public comments on the draft engineering standards. Staff confirmed a spreadsheet of comments and responses will be posted on the city website.
• Brad Limbo (1955 Mainland Road): Thanked staff and noted that the 1983 extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) document has not been updated and remains problematic.
• Joe Jorgensen (1905 Stage Barn Circle): Requested a meeting with developers, contractors, and engineers to review specification changes before adoption. Noted that early subdivisions (Lookout, Jorgensen, Evans) were well-designed.
• Online chat (Donald Hlava): Asked whether the standards and code rewrite will include adjustments to building setbacks and parking minimums. Wysocki responded that the short answer is yes, but the extent will be determined through the revision process.

Key Outcomes

• No motions or votes were taken; the session was informational.
• Staff will proceed with revising Title 15 based on Clarion’s assessment, with a full rewrite expected to take 18–24 months.
• The Engineering Design Standards are scheduled for adoption on May 4, 2026, pending planning commission and city council approvals.
• City staff committed to posting the public comment response spreadsheet online and considering a stakeholder meeting before adoption.
• A discrepancy exists between the agenda (start time 5:30 p.m.) and minutes (call to order at 4:15 p.m.). The minutes also list the meeting date as Tuesday, March 17, 2026, consistent with the agenda date.