City of Rapid City - Department of Community Development Newsletter - 2024 Fall Edition

NEWSLETTER 2024 Fall Edition

Feature Story: A Look Into Air Quality Photo by Rebel VanLoh © 2024 City of Rapid City all rights reserved

Department of Community Development From the Director…

Where has the time gone! It seems like just yesterday we were planning our 4th of July summer fun and now we are almost at the end of 2024. This has been a fast paced year with substantial growth in industrial, commercial and residential development. This balance of development provides both economic growth within the community and housing for those that want to make Rapid City their home.

As we head towards 2025, we will continue to work with stakeholders throughout our community regarding the City’s Comprehensive Plan Update. Additional open house meetings and surveys will be available to ensure that all members of our community have an opportunity to provide input as the plan moves forward. We encourage everyone to take these opportunities to allow their voice to be heard. It is important to create a plan for our community as a whole!

The holidays are fast approaching. This is a time to share with family and friends. I am especially blessed to have such a fantastic work family. The dedication of services and commitment to performing duties with excellence are evident each day in the duties performed by the 35 employees within Community Development. We may be small in number but we are mighty in spirit and performance!

From my family to yours, wishing you a blessed holiday season and a very happy New Year!

.

Community Development Director

Mission Statement: Planning, developing and building a better community.

Purpose: To provide a broad mix of development services including building permits and inspections, development review, transportation planning, air quality inspections, annexation studies and historic preservation assistance as well as parking and code enforcement.

Director

Vicki Fisher

Main Office

300 Sixth Street Rapid City, SD 57701

Main Phone

605.394.4120

Other Phone Numbers Code Enforcement 605.355.3465

Parking Enforcement 605.394.6098

Division Managers Building Services Curt Bechtel

Code Enforcement John Olson Current Planning Jessica Olson Long Range Planning Kip Harrington Planning Projects Sarah Hanzel Parking Enforcement Anna Gilligan

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Newsletter – 2024 Fall Edition What We Do: Building Services Division •Plans examination and building code enforcement •Building permitting and inspections •Staff support for Building Code Board of Appeals and Air Quality Board Current Planning Division •Plans examination and zoning ordinance enforcement •Review and processing of land use applications •Prepares zoning code ordinances and municipal code amendments •Air Quality monitoring and permitting •Staff support for the Planning Commission Long Range Planning Division •Comprehensive Master Planning •Transportation Planning •Neighborhood Planning •Residential and non-residential growth analysis and projections •Land Use Plan Amendments •Staff support for the Metropolitan Planning Organization and committees

Parking Enforcement Division •Enforces parking regulations •Monitors parking that is metered, permitted and/or time restricted •Maintains several City owned parking lots and the downtown parking structure •Provides support services to the Parking Advisory Board •Educates the public on the City's Parking Ordinances •Serves as an advocate for continued development in downtown Rapid City

Planning Projects Division •Coordinates planning projects and other studies surrounding growth, development and redevelopment of Rapid City •Facilitates the creation and implementation of ordinances, policies and procedures •Historic Preservation •Reviews development applications and conducts annexation studies •Staff support for the Historic Preservation Commission, Historic Sign Review, grant management and a community education program

Code Enforcement Division •Respond to complaints registered by citizens, Mayor, City Council, or other City Officials •Initiate enforcement action on violations observed by enforcement officers where no complaints have been filed •Administer the processes of noticing and abatement of violations •Assist in the enforcement of the requirements of the Sign Code Photo by Rebel VanLoh

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A Look Into Air Quality

Feature story by: Morgan Twombly, Environmental Planner

Air Quality Permits fall into one of three categories: 1. Construction permits, which are broken out into the size of the project; 2. Parking and storage permits for unpaved areas totaling more than one acre; or 3. Continuous operations permits for large operations that have the potential to emit fugitive dust continually.

The basis of this system stems from air quality issues beginning in 1978, during which portions of the City failed to meet EPA standards for large particulate matter in the air. As a result, Pennington County adopted an ordinance to control dust.

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Figure 1 - Air Quality Zone: 10x10 square mile area around Rapid City.

Other Air Quality Links: The Current Air Quality Index The DANR Air Quality Index

Click here for more information on the EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant.

Subsequent exceedances of these standards over the years have resulted in the development of a Natural Events Action Plan (NEAP), which is now overseen by the City. Development in West Rapid City as well as street sanding and deicing operations were found to be the largest contributors.

A review by the EPA of the City’s ambient air was conducted in 2006, and found that the City is in attainment of the Federal National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). However, the air quality program continues to work diligently to maintain these standards.

There are other factors which contribute to Rapid City’s air quality that were not as prevalent during the creation of the NEAP. Wildfire smoke has since become a plague to the City, shrouding otherwise beautiful summer days in a cloud of haze. Heavy reliance on internal combustion engines and electricity derived from fossil fuels were found to be the largest contributors to Rapid City’s air quality as of 2021.

Emissions by Source (MT CO2e) Source

CO 2

CH4

N2O

HFCs

PFCs

SF6

Total

Percent of Total

Stationary Combustion

287, 557.71

715.29

144.04

-

-

-

288417.04

19%

Mobile Combustion

334,177.71

816.47

11,102.92

-

-

-

346,097.09

23%

Solid Waste

-

47,288.56

-

-

-

-

47,288.56

3%

Wastewater Treatment

-

23,359.93

1,198.72

-

-

-

24,558.66

2%

693,810.58

1,827.24

2,538.49

-

-

-

698,176.31

47%

693,810.58

1,827.24

2,538.49

-

-

-

698,176.31

Electricity – Location Based

Electricity – Market Based (for informational purposes only) Water

0%

Ag & Land Management

0%

Urban Forestry

0%

Waste Generation

0%

Other

0%

Total (Gross Emissions)

1,407,534.89

74,265.48

15,431.47

-

-

-

1,497,231.85

100%

Total (Net Emissions)

1,407,534.89

74,265.48

15,431.47

-

-

-

1,497,231.85

100%

These new barriers to outstanding air quality resulted in the City application for the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) administered by the EPA. The City was awarded funds to develop plans to reduce harmful air pollutants. Under the grant, the City has conducted a Greenhouse Gas Inventory, and are currently working on a Comprehensive Action Plan to address potential barriers to clean air throughout the region. This plan is due in December of 2025. The City is looking for community input at

every step of this process and has conducted numerous public outreach events including a table at Coffee with Planners which took place on November 14.

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Current Planning

Jessica Olson, Current Planning Manager

Year to Date Overview for 2024 The Current Planning Division assists in the administration, leadership, management, and quality control of current planning development applications, which guides the physical development of the City. The Division provides local officials, developers, engineers and others with information and assistance regarding comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations and other ordinance requirements and their application to specific development proposals. The Division provides support and administration for the functions and agendas of the Planning Commission. It is the goal of this Division to develop partnerships and strong working relationships with other departments, elected and appointed officials and the public to attain excellent customer service.

The division reviews development proposals and commercial building permits for conformance with Rapid City Municipal Code (RCMC) Title 17 – Zoning, and reviews all plat applications within the City’s 3-mile platting jurisdiction for conformance with RCMC Title 16 – Subdivisions. The Division also reviews Air Quality permits and ensures conformance with RCMC Chapter 8.34 – Fugitive Emissions and the Abatement of Smoke.

Platted Lots 177 Residential Commercial

Air Quality

Jan – Oct 2024

Active Permits

95

Permits Issued

55

Inspections

86

Complaints

3

Permit Fees Collected

$7,550

Public Funding Fees Waived

$450

Ordinance Amendment Highlights As the Division reviews development projects, planners also identify where the codes can be improved, whether it is for readability or if there is an inconsistency that needs correction. So far in 2024, the Division has proposed Ordinance Amendments to correct a number of clerical errors, clarify setback requirements for 2-story singlefamily residences, reduce minimum parking requirements for utility substations, clarify open space requirements for multi-family dwellings, and clarify where townhomes are allowed.

An Ordinance Amendment that defines and identifies data centers as a conditional use in Light Industrial and Heavy Industrial Districts is currently under review and the Air Quality section is currently working on clean-up items for the air quality regulations.

Preliminary Lots 219

33 19%

Residential

46 21%

Commercial

144 81%

Development Projects Approved: 172

173 79%

January – October 2024

85

2 Accessory Dwelling Unit 5

15 Conditional Use Permit

26 Planned Development

Subdivision

10

15

19

Variance

Rezone

Zoning Exception

Further Information:

Development Application Report

Rap Sheet

Air Quality

Project Highlights: Recently Approved West Hills Village Estates – West of 5th Street between Minnesota Street and Enchanted Pines Drive.

• • •

20.9 acre property Initial PD approved the concept for 80 total dwelling units between 20 duplexes and an apartment building for senior housing Final PD for Phase 1 approved 18 of the duplexes totaling 36 dwelling units More Information 24PD012 24PD014

Camden Heights – Northeast of E. Anamosa Street and Camden Drive •

29.5 acre property

•

Final PD for apartment complex approved 6 apartment buildings with 252 dwelling units

•

Mix of 1 to 4 bedroom affordable units restricted to 60% area median income or below

•

Solar panel field to reduce energy costs

•

Tax Increment Finance District approved

More Information 24PD015 24TI001

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Long Range Planning

Kip Harrington, Division Manager

The Long Range Planning Division is currently involved with a number of exciting projects!

The Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), formerly known as the Long Range Transportation Plan is in development. The purpose of this plan is to encourage and promote a safe and efficient transportation system to serve future year transportation demands. Results of the MTP process are intended to serve the overall mobility needs of the area, while also being cost effective and consistent with state and local goals and objectives. This document presents the tasks and data requirements to identify and develop a list of transportation projects to meet anticipated future demand needs of the Rapid City Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA) through the year 2050. Major components of this process include consistency with federal and state guidelines and significant attention to public participation, mapping, data development, and model validation. These components will establish a policy foundation for metropolitan transportation decisions affecting the MPA.

Study Area Map

More information at rapidtrip2050.com

Railyard Relocation & Railway Alignment Study The Railyard Relocation and Railway Alignment Study is set to begin by the end of 2024. In 2022, the Rapid City Area Metropolitan Planning Organization adopted the Cambell Street Structure Study. This study examined the reconstruction of a bridge structure on Cambell Street in Rapid City, as well as possible changes to the routing of motorized and non-motorized traffic through the area of study.

Cambell Street is a north-south arterial street that includes a large structure over the main rail line and multiple rail switching lines utilized by the Rapid City, Pierre and Eastern Railroad (RCPE). The structure is currently anticipated to be reconstructed around the year 2030. The RCPE switchyard is located adjacent to Cambell Street south of the structure.

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rapidcityareampo.org

Jan - Oct 2024

The study evaluated multiple options for the realignment of roadways to enhance mobility over and around the structure. As a part of the study, the idea of relocating the railyard was introduced. By relocating the railyard, the switching movements could be moved to a location that will no longer block arterial and local streets in Rapid City. Additionally, a desire to identify a possible reconfiguration of the rail lines through Rapid City was identified to provide a more efficient through movement of rail traffic.

All train traffic through Rapid City must utilize the railyard switching facility, as there is no direct eastwest rail route through the city. The main RCPE line currently uses a “Y” intersection at Pressler Junction, located near the intersection of SD Highway 44/Omaha Street and 3rd Street in central Rapid City. All trains entering the city must travel to the railyard before reversing direction and exiting the city. These switching movements can block traffic on multiple streets in the southeastern area of Rapid City, including East Saint Patrick Street, an east-west arterial street. Traffic congestion due to the switching movements can also have a significant effect on emergency response.

The intent of this project is to build upon the foundation created by the Cambell Street Structure Study to examine the feasibility of relocating the current RCPE switchyard in Rapid City to an alternate location or locations, identify prospective locations, provide planning level cost estimates for relocation scenarios, and determine if a more efficient rail line configuration can be identified.

The study will consider impacts to the existing RCPE rail line and switchyard, traffic patterns on roadways affected by the RCPE rail line, and mobility of non-motorized transportation users, with a focus on the Cambell Street structure reconstruction or removal.

More information at www.rcsafestreets.com

The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Safety Action Plan recently kicked off. This Action Plan is funded through a discretionary USDOT grant program, and Rapid City was awarded the grant to complete the Plan in 2023. The intent of this project is to build upon the foundation created by the existing Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan to create a plan to reduce or eliminate roadway fatalities and serious injuries in Rapid City for all roadway users, and provide a list of prioritized projects for future SS4A Implementation.

The purpose of the SS4A program is to improve roadway safety by significantly reducing or eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries through safety action plan development and implementation focused on all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation users, motorists, personal conveyance and micro mobility users, and commercial vehicle operators. After the Plan is complete, Rapid City will be eligible to apply for additional SS4A funding to construct recommended infrastructure improvements.

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Planning Projects Short Term Rental Advisory Committee Formed: Short term rentals (STR), also known as vacation homes, are not currently allowed in the City limits unless the operator has a Conditional Use Permit for a bed and breakfast facility. An advisory task force has been formed to help guide the creation of an ordinance and registration process to allow STRs. The committee includes community members who represent owners/operators, the neighborhood association, general community interest, the hospitality sector, elected officials, real estate, tourism, and economic development/housing policy specialists. The committee is currently reviewing existing conditions and peer community policies related to STRs and vacation homes. Community members are encouraged to participate in this process. Opportunities for public comment on this topic are anticipated to occur in the next several months.

Sarah Hanzel, Division Manager

More Information rapidcitycomprehensiveplan.com

What is the Comprehensive Plan? A Comprehensive Plan is the primary planning document for the community. It will serve as a long-term strategic plan with a guiding vision built by the community and strategies to support that vision.

Rapid City’s Comprehensive Plan was last adopted in 2014 and is in the process of being updated. The Comprehensive Plan will shape decisions related to new development, redevelopment, and City programs and services, focusing on enhancing the City’s values and high quality of life.

Great turn out and lots of feedback at the Pumpkin Festival booth at Main Street Square in October.

Pop out box: A vacation home is defined in South Dakota Codified Law as “any home, cabin, or similar building that is rented, leased, or furnished in its entirety to the public on a daily or weekly basis for more than fourteen days in a calendar year and is not occupied by any owner or manager during the time of the rental.”

Large crowds participate in the Comprehensive Plan Update: Several hundred community members shared their voice on the future of Rapid City during the last week of September. Three Root Beer Socials and a booth at the Pumpkin Festival were hosted by the Comprehensive Plan Update team. The activities consisted of kids activities, free snacks and Frisbees, and opportunity to give input on priorities for future development in the community. Input was gathered through a voting activity, surveys, a mapping board, and speaking with members of City staff and the consultant team. Priority areas of improvement for the community so far are education, land use and growth patterns, and improved infrastructure.

Accessibility to community services and arts and culture opportunities have been noted as key strengths, while the cost of homes and livable wage job options were identified as weaknesses.

The second questionnaire and additional public input opportunities will be released later this fall.

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Fun was had at the Root Beer Socials held at the Dahl Fine Arts Center hosted by City staff and members of the Comp Plan Amend Consultant Team.

More information online at www.rapidcityhpc.com & Historic Preservation Commission

Jan-Oct 2024

Historic Preservation: Historic Review processes are established in South Dakota codified Law 1-19A-11.1 and Rapid City Municipal Code Chapter 17.54.080. The historic review process uses the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation (the Standards) when reviewing proposed projects. These are best practices for the treatment of historic property. In general, the Standards recommend repairing historic fabric rather than replacing it whenever possible. If replacement is necessary due to substantial deterioration, the new material should match the old in design, color, texture, and material whenever possible. A historic review is required for any project affecting the exterior of a historic structure which re- quires a permit from the City.

Historic Reviews January - October

Historical Reviews Completed

10

Historical Reviews in Progress

2

Historical Sign Reviews Completed

13

Above: Residential structures in the West Boulevard Historic District 10

Building Services

Curt Bechtel, Building Official

The Building Services Division has issued 2,281 permits so far this year with a combined valuation total of more than $342.5 million. This is the fourth-highest yearly valuation total on record.

October’s permit valuation total easily eclipsed the previous high valuation mark of $46.8 million recorded for October. The October total was the highest valuation total for a single month since May 2022. Last month’s valuation total has only been surpassed by the monthly valuation totals recorded in November 2019 ($123.4 million/Summit Arena as big project), May 2022 ($112.8 million/South Middle School) and January 2018 ($97.5 million/Regional Hospital-Monument Health expansion).

Paving the way last month were several permits associated with the Camden Heights Affordable Housing and Infrastructure Project. The project includes six apartment complexes with a total of 252 units and an on-site solar energy capacity facility in northeast Rapid City. The multi-facility complex will provide affordable housing for both seniors and families and will be located at 1725 Camden Drive, between East North Street and East Anamosa Street south of Rushmore Crossing. The Camden Heights apartments will be a combination of one, two, three and four-bedroom units, dedicating 51 units as affordable senior living units.

With two months left in 2024, the City’s Building Services Division has issued 2,281 permits this year with a combined valuation total of more than $342.5 million – already the fourth-highest yearly valuation total on record. This year marks the eighth year in the past nine years in which the City’s permit valuation total has surpassed the $300 million threshold.

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A total of 13 permits were issued in October with a valuation total exceeding $1 million each. Six of the permits were issued to AR Group LLC with Elmington Construction LLC as contractor for six apartment buildings associated with the Camden Heights project. A permit with valuation of $5.6 million was issued to Pennington County with SECO Construction as contractor for the office complex renovation at 900 Concourse Drive. A permit with valuation of more than $4 million was issued to Monument Health Rapid City Hospital with RCS Construction as contractor for the urgent care facility at 2526 Elderberry Boulevard. A permit valued at more than $2.8 million was issued to WR Hospitality LLC with Scull Construction, Inc. as contractor for the WR Restaurant as 2181 Promise Road.

Total Inspections YTD 2024 – 6,919

Building - 2,699 Electrical - 1,966

9% 35%

17%

Mechanical - 1,079 Plumbing - 1,331 Fuel Gas - 699

14% 25%

Total Inspections 2,803 Building

2386

Electrical

1767

Mechanical

952

Plumbing

1197

Fuel Gas

617

2024 Year-to-Date Permit Fees Permits Issued Fees Assessed Fees Collected Valuation

2203 $2,023,818.31 $2,023,818.31 $338,974,469.52

Follow link for further information

Jan-Oct 2024

Building Services Online Reports

Top Permits Issued in 2024: 1.

$51,373,041 – Camden Heights Apartments…………........Elmington Construction

2. $32,489,710 – Fifth Park Apartments……………………………………….Gustafson Builders 3. $28,936,075 – RC Airport Expansion………………………………..............Scull Construction 4. $20,020,000 – 24 Unit Apartments…………………………………..Paradigm Construction 5. $10,090,500 – RPM Manufacturing…………………………………….........SECO Construction 6. $8,000,000 – Exceptional Healthcare…………………………….....BMH of South Dakota 7. $6,500,000 – Highland Properties..........................................................RCS Construction 8. $6,423,406 – Butler Machinery……………………………………………………..Scull Construction 9. $5,307,129 – Blackstone Flats Apartments……………………………Lloyd Construction 10. $5,095,000 – Shepherd Booster Station……………………………………RCS Construction 2024 YTD Permit Totals

Total

Valuation

Permit Fees

Single Family Homes

102

$35,794,799.00

$268,445.70

Townhouses

24

$6,276,329.00

$50,064.91

24 Bldgs – 650 units

$65,417,135.00

$400,527.72

Dwelling Units (apartments)

Main Permits by Type YTD totals for 2024

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Parking Enforcement

Anna Gilligan, Division Manager

Stockgrowers Lot Relocation: Effective January 1, 2025, the City will relinquish possession of Lot A (Stockgrowers Lot). Lot A permits will be relocated to other nearby parking locations.

Notification letters were sent out the last week of August informing permit holders of their proposed relocation area.

Some permit holders have opted to preemptively move their permits, but most will remain in the lot until the end of the year. The majority of the permits will be relocated to the parking structure, as it is the closest available parking for many permit holders.

Above: Lot A – Stockgrowers Lot

Revenues Comparison YTD 2022 - 2024 $800,000.00 $700,000.00 $600,000.00 $500,000.00 $400,000.00 $300,000.00 $200,000.00 $100,000.00

$0.00

13

2022

2023

2024

Meter Revenue

$589,511.01

$598,429.12

$673,152.58

Leased Parking

$356,970.28

$381,893.07

$483,829.41

Citation Payments

$265,606.37

$250,282.50

$279,271.00

Follow link for further information

Jan-Oct 2024

Parking Enforcement Division

YTD 2024 Citations: 16,031

8% 8%

Immobilized vehicles: 121 ADA space violations: 84 Expired meter violations: 10356 - 64%

20%

Timed parking violations: 3162 - 20%

65%

Leased parking violations: 1256 - 8% Other: 1257 - 8% Parking Permits Issued 2024 Long-Term Parking Permits

870

Daily Parking Permits

1,243

Construction Permits

84

Other Parking Enforcement Links: Pay Parking Ticket Online – Use the City of Rapid City Citation Portal as a convenient way to pay parking tickets online.

Downtown Parking Information – Learn about the downtown parking strategy along with information and instruction on how to use the smart meters and pay stations.

Purchase a Parking Permit – Use the Permit Portal to purchase and manage your Parking Permits.

Parking Advisory Board Information 14

Code Enforcement

John Olson, Division Manager

Code Enforcement Update: Code Enforcement has had a busy year with lots of calls, generated by the public, to clean up both public and private property. The overall goal of Code Enforcement is to keep our city clean and clear of debris. This means in both the public right of ways as well as private property. Our officers cover over 55 square miles of Rapid City with a staff of three officers and one supervisor. The majority of our complaints are related to tall grass and weeds in the spring and summer and snow and ice removal in the winter. We also assist our Building Inspection team with looking at and planning the demolition of substandard houses or houses that are falling apart. This year, we have received the largest budget in code enforcement history and have spent the entire amount on abatements with the addition of demolishing a house with this money. Community Development has graciously received a supplement through City Council to continue our good work of cleaning up the community and taking a couple of more houses down. Code Enforcement has established good relationships with other city entities such as Public Works, Rapid City Police and Rapid City Fire in order to do our job more effectively.

These relationships have assisted us in becoming more affective as a division and as a city.

2024 YTD Abatement Dollars Spent: • Abatements: $95,645.00 • Right-of-Way Abatements: $15,780.13

Fall is here, and Code Enforcement is preparing for the winter season!

The Rapid City Municipal code states it shall be the duty of the owner or person in possession or in charge of any lot, parcel, or plot of ground fronting or abutting upon any sidewalk to keep such sidewalk free of snow and ice at all times.

When it is impossible to take the snow and ice from the walk by reason of its being frozen to the sidewalk the owner or occupant shall sprinkle or spread some suitable material upon the same to prevent the walk from becoming slippery and dangerous to travel. Sidewalks that are not kept free from snow and ice are declared a nuisance.

Snow and Ice - Sidewalks: 12.12.090

The city shall have the right to inspect and cause the removal of any dead or diseased trees on private property within the city if such trees constitute a hazard to life or property or harbor pests which constitute a threat to other trees within the city.

Trees on Private Property 12.32.100

Abatement Dollars Monthly Spending May – October 2024 $24,470

$25,000 $20,000 $15,000

$12,375

$9,766

$10,950

$10,000 $5,000

$696

$760

$1,216

$1,575

$9,404

$8,520

$2,811

$2,157

$0 May

June

Abatement dollars spent 15

July

August

September

October

Right of way Abatements

Follow link for further information Code Enforcement Division

Jan-Oct 2024

Violations by Type

Date Range Between 1/1/2024 and 10/31/2024 Damage Sidewalks Nuisance Multiple Ordinances Sight Triangle Snow/Ice Grass and Weeds Tree/Bush Complaints

Vehicle Complaints Zoning Signage Structure Fence Complaints

Violations by Type: 1/1/2024 – 10/31/2024 Damage Sidewalks

7

Nuisance

198

Multiple Ordinances

150

Sight Triangle

8

Snow/Ice

170

Grass and Weeds

486

Tree/Bush Complaints

136

Vehicles Complaints

197

Zoning

12

Signage

6

Structure

34

Fence Complaints

4

Total

1408 16

Department Happenings Coffee with Planners On November 14th, 2024 The Department of Community Development hosted the latest session of “Coffee with Planners”. Many were in attendance to enjoy an assortment of bagels and coffee take some time to learn about a few important topics. This session’s discussion topics included: 1)

The Innovation District Master Plan for downtown Rapid City featuring Garth Wadsworth and Laura Jones of Elevate Rapid City;

2) An update on the city’s EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant with City Environmental Planner Morgan Twombly and Sustainability and Stewardship Program Development Manager Lysann Zeller; and 3) Updates to the city’s fire codes by Chip Premus, Division Chief of Fire and Life Safety for the City of Rapid City.

Rapid City Area Schools 8th Grade Career Fair The Department of Community Development’s Planning Divisions and the Public Works Department hosted a joint table at the Rapid City Area Schools 8th Grade Career Fair on November 13, 2024. At the table, students learned about how Rapid City plans for growth and identifies areas for different land uses through the Future Land Use Plan and Zoning Districts as well as planning for roads in the Major Street Plan. Students also participated in a hands-on activity with Public Works to learn how roads are designed and constructed by making s'mores cups out of graham crackers as the sub-base course, marshmallows as the base course, and pudding as the surface course. This fun activity attracted a lot of attention from students, which was a creative way to talk to them about the different jobs that the City of Rapid City has to offer, show the connection between planning and engineering, and explain the training needed to work in those fields.

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Click here to watch live meetings or check out past meeting on YouTube.

The South Dakota Planners Association held the 2024 SDPA Annual Conference in Box Elder this year where a few Community Development employees gave a presentation during one of the breakout sessions!

Sarah Hanzel, Planning Projects Division Manager; Jessica Olson, Current Planning Division Manager and Kip Harrington, Long Range Planning Division Manager gave a presentation on Hybrid Zoning: A key to Unlock Redevelopment Potential Downtown.

This presentation explained how Rapid City introduced hybrid/form based standards in our downtown fringe. A downtown master plan process founded on a market assessment helped to crystallize the community’s vision and supported the removal of land use barriers to redevelopment and aligned with the plan. The session covered the planning process, implementing a brand new “hybrid” zoning district, the impact it’s had on the built environment so far, lessons learned, and what’s next.

New Employee 2024!!

Over the summer, one new employee has joined our team and we would like to take this opportunity to introduce and welcome them to the department!

Planning Projects Division: Jennifer Bergstrom, Special Projects Planner II I grew up in Sturgis, SD and attended college at Black Hills State University. I spent over 10 years as a Planner in Meade County. My husband and I still live in Sturgis and have 4 children and 1 granddaughter. Outside of work I enjoy researching genealogy and spending time with my family. Fun fact: My first job out of college was at a kangaroo ranch outside Deadwood.

City Halloween Potluck and Costume Party

Upcoming Meetings: Public Works 11/26/2024 12:30 pm Legal Finance 11/27/2024 12:30 pm

Employees from various departments enjoyed participating in the Halloween costume party! In Community Development there was Forrest & Jenny along with a coven of witches!

City Council 12/02/2024 6:30 pm Zoning Board of Adjustment/ Planning Commission 12/05/2024 7:00 am 18