Watertown, SD Planning Commission Delays Zoning Change for Larger Attached Garages
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown Planning Commission deferred action on a proposed zoning text amendment that would permit larger attached garages on lots of one acre or more.
During the Sept. 24 meeting, Community Development Manager Brandi Hanten introduced Resolution No. 2026-39, an amendment to Chapter 21.1001. Currently, attached garages are capped at 2,352 square feet regardless of lot size, with a provision allowing an additional 440 square feet, to be taken from future detached structure allowances.
Hanten explained that the proposed ordinance aims to regulate attached garages on large lots using a percentage-based formula similar to the one used for detached structures.
"When we're looking at large lots, especially now that we have a rural residential type development... it makes sense that we would look at a ratio like we do for the detached structure," Hanten said.
Under the initial proposal, lots of one acre or more would be permitted an attached garage up to 8% of the lot area. Lots of two acres or more would be allowed an attached garage up to 6% of the lot area. The ordinance also stipulated the main floor of the primary residence must be at least 60% of the size of the attached garage to preserve the property's residential nature.
Commission members engaged in a “robust” debate, with Vice Chairman Bill Speier raising concerns over a potential "donut hole" in the proposed scaling. Speier noted that under the drafted language, a property owner with a 1.99-acre lot could, mathematically, build a larger garage than an owner with a full two-acre lot.
"You actually come up to just shy of 2 acres and you can maximize it," Speier said. "Then you step back down and then you can go back up from there... I think that needs more debate, honestly."
Speier suggested a simpler, straight-line 2% or 3% allowance on top of the current maximum, instead of doubling the allowed percentages, arguing that it would prevent non-residential scale structures. He referenced commercial buildings like City Hall (12,500 square feet) to illustrate the scale of buildings the ordinance might accidentally allow.
"A 12,000 square foot structure is, to me, I have trouble with that as being residential," Speier said.
City Manager Alan Stager also advised the commission to pause, citing potential stormwater drainage issues that could result from massive structures and impervious surfaces placed near property lines.
"I think at least in terms of the complaints that I get on large structures it's usually not the aesthetics, it's the drainage and the impact on other adjacent lots," Stager said.
Following the discussion, Speier made a substitute motion to defer action on the amendment. Board member Justin Allbee seconded the motion, which passed unanimously via voice vote.
Hanten suggested that the commission form a small committee to refine the ordinance language before bringing it back to a future meeting, to which Chairman Liam Culhane agreed to.
