Watertown City Council to Consider 20-Acre Highway 212 Annexation for Commercial Development
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council will hold a first reading of Ordinance No. 26-34 at its regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, to consider annexing and zoning approximately 20.02 acres of land owned by BRS Farms LLC.
The property, which spans 872,071.12 square feet, is requested to be annexed into the city limits and designated as C-3 Highway Commercial District. According to a memorandum from City Manager Alan Stager, the property will be platted as a single lot known as the BRS Addition. The plat would be recorded concurrently with the annexation resolution.
Approximately 12 acres located directly south of the subject property will remain in Codington County. The southern acreage is under the same ownership, but the owner does not intend to annex and zone that tract at this time.
As a condition of the annexation and platting process, the 20.02-acre lot must include a 66-foot access easement for future right-of-way dedication. This easement will provide access from the Highway 212 right-of-way to the rear 12-acre tract, ensuring the land does not become landlocked.
The Watertown Planning Commission unanimously recommended approving the annexation and zoning for the city council with a 5-0 vote at its Sept. 24 meeting. Community Development Manager Brandi Hanten oversees the project.
City staff noted several facts regarding the property:
· The requested C-3 Highway Commercial District zoning is consistent with the city's Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
· The property borders are C-3 Highway Commercial District zones to the north and east.
· The land is not located within a regulated floodplain and sits within the Sioux Rural Water Territory.
· There is a trunk sewer recovery associated with the property's frontage.
Because Monday's presentation is a first reading, the council will not take a formal vote or action on the ordinance.
