Watertown City Council to Consider Dakota Commons Plat, $164K Infrastructure Plan
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council will consider approving Resolution No. 26-44, the Plat of Dakota Commons Eleventh Addition-Phase 1, and authorizing City Manager Alan Stager to enter into a development agreement during its meeting on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026.
An agenda memo from Stager states that Dakota Commons LLC, the owner and developer, is planning a two-lot residential subdivision along a roughly 75-foot extension of Lewis and Clark Trail. Both lots are zoned as P (Planned Unit Development, intended for single-family housing construction.
The Watertown Planning Commission voted 7-0 at its Oct. 8, 2026, meeting to recommend approval of the plat to the City Council. Community Development Manager Brandi Hanten manages project oversight.
Subdivision Layout, Acreage, and Lot Details
Prepared by Registered Land Surveyor Colin B. DeJong of Aason Engineering Company Inc. on Sept. 15, 2026, the plat of Dakota Commons Eleventh Addition - Phase 1 to the Municipality of Watertown, in the County of Codington, South Dakota, is legally described as a portion of the Northwest Quarter of Section 33, Township 117 North, Range 52 West of the 5th P.M. Acting agent Jacob Mills serves as the representative for Dakota Commons LLC on the proprietor's certificate and development agreement.
According to the plat drawing dated Aug. 13, 2026, the subdivision encompasses approximately 0.73 acres, of which 0.12 acres are dedicated as public road right-of-way and 0.05 acres are dedicated as public bike trail right-of-way along the eastern boundary.
The two platted lots are situated south of Palisades Lane on either side of Lewis or Clark Trail:
· Lot 29, Block 3 (west of Lewis and Clark Trail): Approximately 13,575 square feet.
· Lot 3, Block 4 (east of Lewis and Clark Trail, abutting the bike trail right-of-way): Approximately 10,662 square feet.
The plat grants 5-foot side yard utility easements, 10-foot rear yard utility easements, and 10-foot utility easements abutting public rights-of-way unless otherwise noted.
Development Agreement and $164,085.35 Infrastructure Estimate
Construction plans for the extension of Lewis and Clark Trail and associated infrastructure improvements were approved on June 6, 2026. Under the development agreement to be recorded with the plat, Dakota Commons LLC is required to install all public improvements within two years of the date the instrument is recorded with the Codington County Register of Deeds.
According to Exhibit A of the development agreement, dated Sept. 16, 2026, the estimated cost of the 2026 earthwork and roadway improvements totals $164,085.35. The itemized cost estimate includes:
· Onsite Borrow: 19,538 cubic yards at $2.00 per cubic yard for $39,076.00.
· Topsoil Stripping: 12,723 cubic yards at $2.00 per cubic yard for $25,446.00.
· Topsoil Waste: 8,086 cubic yards at $2.00 per cubic yard for $16,172.00.
· Onsite Borrow from 10th Addition: 6,666 cubic yards at $2.00 per cubic yard for $13,332.00.
· Topsoil Placement: 4,637 cubic yards at $2.50 per cubic yard for $11,592.50.
· Seeding and Mulching: 6.7 acres at $1,350.00 per acre for $9,045.00.
· High Flow Silt Fence: 2,760 units at $3.00 per unit for $8,280.00.
· 4-Inch Concrete Sidewalks, Base, and Subgrade: 1,499 square feet at $5.50 per square foot for $8,244.50.
· Asphalt Concrete Class E (Road): seventy-three tons at $101.00 per ton for $7,373.00.
· Base Course (Roads): 279 tons at $14.50 per ton for $4,045.50.
· Type B66 Concrete Curb and Gutter: 199 feet at $20.00 per foot for $3,980.00.
· Unclassified Excavation: 801 cubic yards at $2.00 per cubic yard for $1,602.00.
· Detectable Warning Panels: twenty square feet at $49.00 per square foot for $980.00.
· Subtotal: $149,168.50.
· Ten percent Contingency: $14,916.85.
Sidewalk Deadlines and Maintenance Requirements
Under the development agreement, the developer must install all Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant pedestrian ramps at street intersections alongside curb and gutter improvements. Responsibility for installing remaining sidewalks not shown on the construction plans may be passed to individual lot buyers as a condition of building permit issuance, provided all remaining sidewalks are installed on or before Oct. 5, 2031, or earlier when uninstalled sidewalk on a right-of-way side reaches 30% or less of the total required linear feet.
Gravel streets are permitted through one winter season only, with the developer responsible for minimum maintenance and snow removal. The final lift of asphalt must be applied no sooner than one year after the first lift is placed. Following completion and inspection by City Engineer Justin Petersen, the developer must warrant all street and utility construction for one year before the City Council confirms final acceptance.
There are no financial considerations for the city associated with the resolution, and city staff recommends approval.
