Watertown Planning Commission to Review Zoning to Potentially Allow Gas Stations in Light Industrial Areas

This photo is only a representation of the news article's context, not an actual picture of what is being proposed to be built anywhere in the City of Watertown, SD

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The Watertown Planning Commission has initiated a review of the city’s zoning ordinance that could lead to allowing "service stations for motor vehicles" (commonly known as gas stations or C-stores) as a permitted use within the I-1 Light Industrial District.

The discussion took place at last week's Planning Commission meeting, following Community Development Manager Brandi Hanten’s presentation of the item, noting that the use is not currently included in the I-1 district, despite being considered appropriate in specific locations.

The effort is driven by a need to modernize the zoning code and accommodate potential future projects.

While the Commission was generally supportive of adding the use to the I-1 district, the majority of the discussion focused on the need to update the definition of "service station" to clarify which retail activities are permissible.

Currently, the city’s definition of a service station focuses on the sale of petroleum products and accessories, and explicitly exempts auto body repair. However, commissioners noted that this definition blurs the line between a traditional service area and a modern convenience store (C-store) that attracts high retail traffic.

Following the discussion, the Commission directed staff to draft an ordinance amendment for review and vote. This amendment will now include two key components:

1.    Adding the "service station for motor vehicle" use to the I-1 Light Industrial District.

2.    Creating a new, more specific definition for a "convenience store" (C-store) to clarify what is allowed in various commercial and industrial zones, ensuring that retail activity does not compromise the functional integrity of light industrial areas.