Watertown Board Approves Storage Building Permit Near Highway 212
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown Board of Adjustment unanimously approved a conditional use permit Thursday allowing a new 2,240‑square‑foot storage building to be constructed at 1203 9th Avenue SE, directly north of the existing Verizon Wireless store along Highway 212.
The request, submitted by Gary and Patricia Veeder, sought authorization for storage units and storage shops within the C‑3 Highway Commercial District — a use allowed only with Board approval. The project includes four storage bays, two of which Veeder plans to use personally for his boat and trailer, with the remaining units potentially available for rent.
Community Development Manager Brandi Hanten described the parcel as having triple frontage along Highway 212, with the new structure positioned roughly 8 to 10 feet north of the existing commercial building. The proposed building footprint — 40 feet by 56 feet — meets off‑street parking requirements and aligns with the current structure’s side‑yard setback, according to the agenda report.
Board questions focus on application detail
During the hearing, Board member Julia Tate noted that the written justification submitted with the application was unusually brief. The form requires applicants to address ingress and egress, parking impacts, utilities, screening, lighting, and compatibility with surrounding properties. Veeder’s responses largely consisted of short statements such as “No issues” and “Should be no problems.”
“I usually see a little more color to the justification,” Tate said, adding that the Board relies on applicants to explain how their project meets the city’s conditional‑use standards.
Veeder told the Board he misunderstood what level of detail was expected.
“I didn’t really understand it,” he said. “They’re going to be storage units… I guarantee I’ll make it look nice.”
Traffic and access concerns addressed
Board member Dargatz Johnson asked about driveway access and whether the area was already hard‑surfaced. Veeder confirmed the site is paved and that the garage doors will face west, minimizing traffic conflicts.
Hanten also clarified that the new building will extend slightly farther west than the existing structure but will remain fully accessible and compatible with surrounding commercial uses.
The motion passed 7–0, with all members voting in favor.
Moments after approving a conditional use permit for new storage units along Highway 212, the Watertown Board of Adjustment unanimously granted two setback variances for the same project at 1203 9th Avenue SE, clearing the way for construction of a 2,240‑square‑foot storage building on the northeast portion of the lot.
Applicant Gary and Patricia Veeder requested relief from both the east side yard setback and the west front yard setback, citing the lot’s unusual configuration, triple frontage, and the placement of the existing Verizon Wireless building.
According to the city’s staff report, the new structure will measure 56 feet by 40 feet and sit just north of the existing commercial building. The ordinance requires a 10‑foot side yard setback, but Veeder requested 5.2 feet to match the current building’s alignment. The agenda notes: “A minimum side yard setback of 10 feet is required; however, the applicant is requesting a setback of 5.2 feet from the east property line to align with the existing building setback on the site.”
Municipal Utilities reviewed the plan and confirmed that “adequate space would remain for maintenance of existing gas and electric utilities.”
The second request involved the west property line, where a 40‑foot front yard setback is normally required. The applicant sought approval for a 29.5‑foot setback, a variance of 10.5 feet. Staff noted that the existing Verizon building is already nonconforming, with setbacks of 34.1 feet west, 18 feet south, and 5.7 feet east — all predating current zoning standards.
