Planning Commission

Spearfish Planning Commission Regular Session Minutes December 3rd, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. The Spearfish Planning Commission met in regular session on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 in the Council Chamber of City Hall and via Zoom video conference. Kruskamp, called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Roll call was taken with the following members present: Greg Kruskamp, Rick Tysdal, Dylan Wilde, Toby Bordewyk, Meghan Byrum (joined at 4:01), Bill Moths, and Amy Davison. Also present: Jaymia Ecker, Assistant Planning Director, Kevin Koelbel, Planning Director, John Senden, Mayor, David Knox, City Attorney, and Bobby Falcon, City Administrator. Approval of Agenda Tysdal moved to approve the agenda as presented, Bordewyk seconded, and all voted in favor of the motion. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes Tysdal moved to approve the minutes of the November 19th, 2024 Planning Commission meeting as presented, Davison seconded, and all voted in favor of the motion. Declaration of Conflicts of Interest Kruskamp called for any potential conflicts of interest to be identified. No conflicts were identified. Items for Action 1. Request Approve a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a Telecommunications Tower Applicant Horvath Communications Action Hold a public hearing and Consider a CUP Location 6775 East Colorado Blvd.; West of the intersection of Colorado Blvd. and Highway 85 South Jerrod Foutes, Horvath Communications, noted the addition of the photo simulations and updated site plan to the staff report since the previous Planning Commission meeting. Ecker summarized the staff report which provides details on the project, Telecommunications Facilities and Conditional Use Permit approval processes, evaluation criteria, and staff analysis of the project. Discussion between the applicant, city staff, and the commission included FAA regulations, technical aspects of the tower design, stealthing and camouflaging, and the evaluation criteria. Knox’s interpretation of the telecommunications facilities evaluation criteria is that subsections of criteria F.2 must be met. Kruskamp opened the public hearing at 4:55 p.m. Two written public comments (one in support of and one opposed to the project) were received and shared with the commission. Joe Jorgensen provided a statement supporting the project. In addition, commissioners inquired about the intent and age of the ordinance and potential revisions. Foutes  responded to questions related to the coverage area of the tower and co-location of additional antennas. Kruskamp closed the public hearing at 5:14 p.m. Bordewyk moved to approve the CUP and Tysdal seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Bordewyk, Tysdal, and Moths voted yes. Wilde, Davison, and Byrum voted no. To break the tie, Kruskamp cast a no vote. The motion to approve the CUP failed. Following city ordinance, the applicant may submit an appeal to the commission’s decision within 10 days. Items for Discussion Ecker provided an update on the Comprehensive Plan adoption. Members of City Council have shared feedback and requested edits to the draft plan with city staff. Further discussion on the feedback and next steps will be on the January 15th, 2025 City Council Study Session agenda. Public Comment Toby Bordewyk shared that he does not intend to seek another term on the Planning Commission following the conclusion of his current term (Dec 31st, 2024). Adjournment Meeting was adjourned at 5:26 p.m.