Watertown Board of Adjustment Approves Conditional Use for Storage Units and Office at 15 11th Street NE
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown Board of Adjustment voted Thursday to approve a conditional use request allowing storage units and an office within an existing structure at 15 11th Street NE, located in the R‑3 Multi‑Family Residential District.
The request was submitted by Eleventh Street Rentals LLC, represented by owner Michael Lawrence, who joined the meeting virtually. The 1,080‑square‑foot structure on the property has long been used for maintenance and storage related to Lawrence’s rental properties. He told the board the use will remain the same, but maintenance operations are now handled by a third‑party contractor, prompting the need to formally establish the conditional use under city ordinance.
Board Attendance and Requirements
Six board members were present: Kays, Kakacek, Allbee, Rhonda Dargatz Johnson, Spire, and Tate. Members Culhane, Kjorness, and Tupper were absent. With six members present, staff noted that conditional uses require four affirmative votes for approval.
Staff Overview
City staff explained that the existing garage has historically been used for storage and property maintenance. The conditional use request sought approval for:
· Storage Units (≤ 600 sq. ft. each)
· Office in an existing structure not originally designed for human residence
Lawrence told the board the building will continue to be used for maintenance operations, with no residential use and no water or sewer service in the structure. He said he was willing to accept conditions prohibiting outdoor storage and restricting parking after business hours.
“We’ve used it for maintenance for many years for me and my father’s properties,” Lawrence said. “The use isn’t changing — it’s just now a third party doing it instead of us.”
After closing the public hearing, the board moved to approve the request. At the suggestion of staff, the motion was amended to include two conditions:
· No outdoor storage
· No parking after normal business hours
Board member Michelle Kakacek amended her motion to include the conditions, and the board approved the request unanimously by roll call.
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