Developer raises concerns about outside consultants, DEI and preserving Spearfish character

Gary Smith of Pearson Development used the public comment period to both praise a recent Pavilion presentation and to voice concerns about the consultants the city has engaged for planning work.

"It's a very good presentation," Smith said, adding that he submitted written comments and his contact information. He criticized the consulting approaches he associated with Clarion Associates and tied them to emphasis on climate adaptation, equity and other topics he described as out of step with the local culture.

Smith said he prefers "United States governance" over what he termed "global governance" and said he moved to South Dakota to escape those influences. He urged the council not to adopt infill or planning approaches that he said would erode Spearfish's small-town character and lead to gentrification. He also said he supports Mr. Wysocki to help the city "move forward intelligently."

Those remarks were offered during the public-comment period; no council action resulted from the comment itself.