Watertown City Council Advances Zoning Updates for New Campus and Congregate Living Districts

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council on Monday held first readings on two related zoning text amendments — Ordinance No. 26‑27 and Ordinance No. 26‑28 — both intended to update the city’s zoning code to support the newly proposed CD Campus District and R‑3S Congregate Living Residential District.

Ordinance No. 26-27.pdf

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Item 11E — Updates to District Regulations

Community Development Manager Brandi Hanten introduced Ordinance No. 26‑27, explaining that the amendment primarily adds the new Campus District and Congregate Living District into the existing sections of the zoning ordinance where they need to appear — including the height and placement regulation charts.

Hanten noted that while most of the changes are straightforward insertions of the new districts, the ordinance also includes several cleanup items and corrections identified through Planning Commission discussions and recent Board of Adjustment applications. She pointed out that the city is slightly increasing density allowances in the R‑3 multifamily district to better align with Watertown’s broader housing goals.

Another update included in the amendment is an incentive for projects that provide enclosed parking under the main roof of a building. Hanten said the current ordinance unintentionally penalizes developers who include enclosed parking because the density calculations do not acknowledge that parking is already being accommodated within the structure. The amendment adjusts those calculations so enclosed parking does not reduce allowable density.

She also noted that some previously approved ordinance changes had been added to one section but not another, including rules allowing a 9‑foot setback for garage doors opening perpendicular to alleys. Those omissions are corrected in this update.

Hanten emphasized that aside from these corrections and density adjustments, the amendment is largely administrative — ensuring the new districts appear everywhere they need to within the zoning code.

No council members had questions, and the item moved forward as a first reading with no action taken.

Ordinance No. 26-28.pdf

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Item 11F — Adding New Definitions

The council then took up Ordinance No. 26‑28, which adds several new definitions to Chapter 21.90 of the zoning ordinance. Hanten said these definitions are required to support the new Campus District and Congregate Living District.

She noted that only four definitions are being added: Mixed Use Structures, Educational Institution, Congregate Student Housing, and Gross Floor Area. All four definitions appear in the attached ordinance and are necessary for implementing the new zoning districts.

Hanten said the amendment is simple and contains no additional changes beyond the new definitions. No council members had questions.

With no discussion, the council moved on to public hearings and second readings.