Spearfish Planning Commission Regular Meeting on January 6, 2026

The Spearfish Planning Commission met on January 6, 2026, at 4:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers and via Zoom. The meeting was called to order at 3:59 PM and adjourned at 4:49 PM. Key items included a recommendation on a preliminary plat for the Top Shelf Subdivision and preparation for the upcoming annual meeting.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda was approved unanimously (6-0).
• Minutes from the December 16, 2025 regular session were approved unanimously (6-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Toby Bordewyk (adjacent property owner at 2525 West Highway 14, neighbor to the north of Top Shelf) spoke during the public hearing on the preliminary plat. He expressed appreciation for the revised plan but voiced concerns about maintaining a density transition buffer (the berm) that was part of the original 2018 development agreement. He requested that the development agreement preserve some form of buffer.
• Joe Jorgenson (1905 Stage Barnes Circle) commented at the end of the meeting, criticizing the increasing complexity of development agreements and urging simplification of ordinances.

Discussion Items

• Preliminary Plat – Top Shelf Subdivision (Item F.1)
  The applicant, Spencer Rossi (ETR LLC), requested approval of a preliminary plat for a 15-acre parcel west of Green Spot Lane and Suntory Avenue. The property is zoned R3 (multifamily) but the developer intends single-family residential, consistent with adjacent Top Shelf lots. Staff noted that the 2018 development agreement limited uses to senior living, duplexes, and single-family; the proposed amended agreement would remove use restrictions. The neighbor Toby Bordewyk asked about preserving the earthen berm buffer. Commission discussion centered on whether to approve the plat with a condition restricting land use to single-family or to require a rezone. A motion was made to approve contingent on amending the development agreement to limit use to single-family residences.
• January 20th Planning Commission Meeting
  Staff reminded the commission that the next meeting on January 20, 2026, will be the annual meeting under the bylaws, including elections for Chair and Vice-Chair. Commissioners discussed potential schedule adjustments given a city council meeting at 5:30 PM that same day.

Key Outcomes

• Motion on Preliminary Plat: Commissioner Wilde moved to approve the preliminary plat of the Top Shelf Subdivision with the condition that the development agreement is amended to limit land use to single-family residences. Commissioner Moths seconded. Roll call vote: 3-2 in favor (Wilde, Moths, Duncan voted aye; Davison, Byrum voted nay). The motion passed, and the recommendation will go to city council for final action.
• Development Agreement Note: During discussion, the city attorney noted that if the commission wished to enforce single-family use, a rezone (rather than a development agreement) might be more administratively sound. However, the motion retained the condition via the development agreement amendment.
• Upcoming Election: The January 20 meeting will include elections for Chair and Vice-Chair. Commissioners were reminded that no person may serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office.