Spearfish Planning Commission Regular Meeting – August 18, 2026

The Spearfish Planning Commission met on August 18, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. in City Hall, 625 5th Street, Spearfish, and via Zoom. All seven commissioners were present: Davison, Moths, Byrum, Tysdal, Bordewyk, Wilde, and Duncan. Staff present included Community Development Director Peter Wysocki, Assistant Planning Director Jaymia Ecker, and Planning Technician Vasiliki Pistoftzian. The commission approved the agenda and prior minutes, approved a conditional use permit for Camp K9 outdoor dog runs, and tabled a variance request for 1407 Charles Street until September 1, 2026.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the meeting agenda as presented (motion by Bordewyk, second by Davison; 7-0).
• Approved the July 21, 2026 meeting minutes (motion by Wilde, second by Duncan; 7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jeremy Smith, 287 Evans Lane, commented on three topics: he asked for a clearer way for citizens to contact Planning Commissioners; encouraged the commission to use potential meeting dates for informational staff presentations rather than canceling meetings when there is no action agenda; and expressed concern about open space and agricultural land preservation as Spearfish grows. He noted that in comprehensive plan public input sessions, affordable housing and agricultural land preservation were top topics; the city has worked on affordable housing, but he saw no movement on protecting open space and agricultural land. He stated he operates a small mixed vegetable farm, estimated that roughly 18 acres in Spearfish are producing food for human consumption, and asked for more discussion about keeping agricultural land in production.
• Staff responded that volunteer commissioners do not have city email addresses or city phone numbers; public comments can be directed through city staff, and written communications may become public records.
• During the public hearing for the Camp K9 conditional use permit, no public comments were offered.

New Business – Conditional Use Permit: Camp K9 Outdoor Dog Runs

• Planning Technician Pistoftzian presented the staff report. The applicant, Richard Clayton of Camp K9, proposed outdoor dog runs on property zoned C-2 at the intersection of Maitland Road and Aspen Drive. Staff noted the City Council approved the second reading of the rezoning ordinance on August 17, 2026, effective 20 days after publication.
• The proposal includes three outdoor dog runs enclosed by a six-foot chain-link fence with landscaping along the future road frontages. Staff found the request met the criteria in § 156.082 of city code and recommended approval with conditions.
• Applicant Richard Clayton stated he had no problem with the recommended conditions.
• The commission approved the conditional use permit with conditions: the dog runs must be set back at least 10 feet from property lines, screened with landscaping, and used only between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. daily. Motion by Davison, second by Byrum; passed 7-0.

New Business – Variance: 1407 Charles Street

• The commission considered a variance request from Andy Van Deest to reduce the required west side-yard setback from 10 feet to 5 feet at 1407 Charles Street. This item is a recommendation to the Board of Adjustment rather than a final decision. Staff recommended denial of the variance as presented because it did not meet the evaluation criteria in § 156.081 D. Staff noted the property is in R-1 zoning, which generally requires an eight-foot side-yard setback for structures on lots platted after 1980, but the Ruby Ridge subdivision plat imposes a 10-foot side-yard setback and a 10-foot utility easement. Staff said the commission could consider a reduction to eight feet to align with current zoning, although even eight feet would still require a variance because of the plat note.
• During discussion, commissioners questioned whether a variance could override a recorded plat note, whether the variance criteria were met, and how the utility easement would be addressed. Some suggested a plat amendment or replat might be the proper path but noted it would be more costly and time-consuming. Staff said utility locates found no utilities on the west side and that the applicant was working on a process to reduce or vacate the easement. The applicant said an eight-foot setback would work for his plan, while five feet would be ideal.
• Bordewyk initially moved to recommend denial. After further discussion, he amended the motion to table the application until the next Planning Commission meeting on September 1, 2026, to give the applicant and staff additional time to review the request and possible paths, including a plat amendment. Wilde seconded the amended motion; it passed 7-0.

Items from Commissioners

• Commissioners Tysdal and Bordewyk noted their contact information is easily discoverable and said they are open to public communication about zoning regulations and related items.

Departmental Discussion/Updates

• Community Development Director Peter Wysocki provided updates: the Arts in Public Places Advisory Board held its first meeting on August 13, 2026; the Title XV land use code update, called Shape Spearfish, will begin with a kickoff meeting with Clarion Associates and a steering committee; the first annual Community Development Department annual report will be presented at the September 1, 2026 meeting; the 2027 budget request includes a new building inspector position and reclassification of two planning positions, as well as continued funding for the code rewrite and a potential housing needs assessment and action plan; new City Attorney Ashley McDonald starts September 8, 2026; and city administrator recruitment is ongoing.
• Staff noted they would attend the Western Planner Conference in Sioux Falls and would share the presentation afterward.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the agenda and the July 21, 2026 minutes, both 7-0.
• Approved the Camp K9 conditional use permit with conditions, 7-0.
• Tabled the 1407 Charles Street variance request to September 1, 2026, 7-0.
• No action was taken on items for discussion/informational presentations.