Watertown planning commission approves annexation, rezoning and lot-agreement termination
April 09, 2026 | City of Watertown, Codington County, South Dakota
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The City of Watertown Planning Commission on April 9 voted unanimously on a package of land-use actions, approving an annexation and accompanying commercial zoning for a 10-acre parcel, recommending a rezoning for a nearby residential proposal, and authorizing the termination of a recorded development lot agreement to allow a multi‑phase project to proceed.
Planning staff described the annexation and zoning request for Lot 1 of Burbans Addition, roughly 10 acres contiguous with the city limits, and recommended bringing the property into the city as C3 (Highway Commercial). The commission opened a public hearing and, with no speakers, approved the annexation by motion (moved by Commissioner Kays, seconded by Commissioner Durgess Johnson) and then adopted the zoning ordinance (Ordinance 2026-11) by a 6–0 roll call.
Why it matters: annexation and the C3 designation will allow the property to be developed under city standards and to pay city property taxes rather than remain solely under county jurisdiction. The commission’s action completed the local land‑use approvals the city reviews; ensuing building or subdivision approvals will depend on future applications and any council action required by ordinance procedures.
On a separate item the commission reviewed a rezoning application for Prairie Hills Development First Addition. Planning staff said the proposal would rezone three northern lots from C2 (Local Commercial) to R2 (single‑family attached) so they conform to adjacent residential land uses. With no public testimony, the commission voted 6–0 (motion by Commissioner Durgess Johnson; second by Commissioner Chernus) to recommend approval to the City Council (Resolution 2026-12).
Planning staff also presented a request to terminate a previously recorded development lot agreement that had tied two platted parcels together for Phase One of the Oaks One project, primarily to accommodate shared parking and circulation. Staff said Phase Two can proceed with the parcels separated because the plat now shows required access and parking; the termination will be recorded so the two lots may function as discrete parcels going forward. Commissioners raised that the city’s TIF applied only to lot two and staff confirmed termination does not change that status. A motion to approve the termination carried by a 6–0 roll call (Resolution 2026-10).
The commission’s business was largely procedural and heard no public testimony on the three land-use items. After the votes, Chair Liam noted the city’s boundary expansion when the annexation ordinance passed. The Planning Commission closed public comment and adjourned for the afternoon. The Prairie Hills rezoning will next appear for final action by the City Council as part of the council’s consideration of recommended rezonings.
Planning staff described the annexation and zoning request for Lot 1 of Burbans Addition, roughly 10 acres contiguous with the city limits, and recommended bringing the property into the city as C3 (Highway Commercial). The commission opened a public hearing and, with no speakers, approved the annexation by motion (moved by Commissioner Kays, seconded by Commissioner Durgess Johnson) and then adopted the zoning ordinance (Ordinance 2026-11) by a 6–0 roll call.
Why it matters: annexation and the C3 designation will allow the property to be developed under city standards and to pay city property taxes rather than remain solely under county jurisdiction. The commission’s action completed the local land‑use approvals the city reviews; ensuing building or subdivision approvals will depend on future applications and any council action required by ordinance procedures.
On a separate item the commission reviewed a rezoning application for Prairie Hills Development First Addition. Planning staff said the proposal would rezone three northern lots from C2 (Local Commercial) to R2 (single‑family attached) so they conform to adjacent residential land uses. With no public testimony, the commission voted 6–0 (motion by Commissioner Durgess Johnson; second by Commissioner Chernus) to recommend approval to the City Council (Resolution 2026-12).
Planning staff also presented a request to terminate a previously recorded development lot agreement that had tied two platted parcels together for Phase One of the Oaks One project, primarily to accommodate shared parking and circulation. Staff said Phase Two can proceed with the parcels separated because the plat now shows required access and parking; the termination will be recorded so the two lots may function as discrete parcels going forward. Commissioners raised that the city’s TIF applied only to lot two and staff confirmed termination does not change that status. A motion to approve the termination carried by a 6–0 roll call (Resolution 2026-10).
The commission’s business was largely procedural and heard no public testimony on the three land-use items. After the votes, Chair Liam noted the city’s boundary expansion when the annexation ordinance passed. The Planning Commission closed public comment and adjourned for the afternoon. The Prairie Hills rezoning will next appear for final action by the City Council as part of the council’s consideration of recommended rezonings.
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