Watertown City Council Considers Rezoning Super 8 Motel Property for Highway Commercial Use
- Steve Jurrens
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council on Monday held the first reading of Ordinance No. 26‑24, a proposal to rezone the Super 8 Motel property at 503 14th Avenue SE from I‑1 Light Industrial District to C‑3 Highway Commercial District — a change city staff says will finally bring the long‑standing hotel into full compliance with modern zoning rules.
The request, submitted by S8WTSD LLC, mirrors the details in the agenda packet, which notes the hotel has operated at the site since at least 1986 and is currently considered a legal nonconforming use under I‑1 zoning.
The ordinance states the property “be, and is hereby, rezoned… to C‑3 Highway Commercial District,” aligning the parcel with Watertown Revised Ordinance §21.28.
Hotel Use Would Become Fully Conforming
Community Development Manager Brandi Hanten told the council the rezoning is straightforward and appropriate.
“They are petitioning to rezone it to C‑3 Highway Commercial, which makes the use conforming to today’s ordinance,” Hanten said. “Everything else about the property is also conforming.”
Under current rules, a hotel or motel in the I‑1 district requires a conditional use permit — something the property never received. A 1986 variance allowed a west‑side addition with a reduced 20‑foot setback, but Hanten noted that under C‑3 zoning, that variance would no longer be needed.
The parcel contains 78,091 square feet, well above the 20,000‑square‑foot minimum for C‑3 zoning, according to the agenda report.
Council Questions Future Uses
Council members asked whether other nearby properties might eventually seek similar rezoning.
Councilman Michael Heuer asked whether other parcels in the area could benefit from transitioning out of industrial zoning. Hanten said that while it’s possible, rezonings are petition‑driven and the Super 8 parcel is the most appropriate candidate because it directly abuts Highway 81 and already sits next to other C‑3‑zoned land.
Councilman Brent Mohrmann questioned why the owners would voluntarily move from industrial to commercial zoning, noting industrial districts typically allow more flexibility.
Hanten clarified that the change is necessary for the hotel’s long‑term compliance and future expansion.
“It actually brings the use of the hotel/motel into conformance,” she said. “C‑3 probably is more fitting for future expansion or just the uses to have the ability to utilize.”
Planning Commission Notes Broader Future Plans
Councilman Dan Schutte said during the Planning Commission meeting that the owners shared more extensive long‑term ideas during earlier meetings — including potential renovations, additions, and even a small number of camping sites.
“They kind of have a broad view on what they want to do with the property,” Schutte said. “The commercial zoning would help them move forward with what they want to do in the future.”
The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval on July 9, as reflected in the agenda packet.
Monday’s action was only a first reading, and no vote was taken. The ordinance is scheduled for second reading on August 3, with publication set for August 8 and an effective date of August 28, pending approval.
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