HURON — A variance to allow Lori Rathjen and Lean Investments LLC to have a 20-foot rear yard setback instead of the code-required 30 feet at 1075 Lincoln Ave. S.W. has been approved by the City Commission.
A new building that will have space for four businesses is under construction at that address. The variance is for three to four additional buildings Rathjen plans to have built to the west that will be rented out as storage units.
The only condition commissioners placed on the variance at their Monday meeting is that there be no outside storage.
Her property is outside of city limits and she said she has no plans to ask for annexation. To the west of her lots are city soccer fields which are inside city limits.
Meanwhile, Mayor Paul Aylward proclaimed today as Peace Officer’s Memorial Day and this week as National Police Week in Huron.
He noted in the proclamation that police officers play an essential role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of residents.
Three law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty in the city’s history. They were Officer Clifford Hawley, shot to death Sept. 7, 1909; Deputy Chief Virgil Deyo, shot to death Nov. 29, 1966; and Sgt. Thomas Callies, stabbed to death March 30, 1982.
In presenting the proclamation to Police Chief Kevin Van Diepen, Aylward thanked him and the members of his department for their work in keeping the city safe.
In other action, second and final reading of ordinance revisions to consolidate the different kinds of malt beverage and South Dakota farm wine licenses into one were approved. The action puts the city in compliance with a new state law passed during the last session.
Licenses being consolidated are retail on-off sale, package off-sale, package off-sale malt beverage and South Dakota farm wine, and retail on-off sale malt beverage and South Dakota farm wine.
The annual fee for the license will be $300. Transferring a license will cost $150.
Two of the fees currently are $200 and $225 a year, and one is $325 a year. One is $300 a year.
Commissioners also:
• Reappointed Sue Christen to the Community Improvement Committee.
• Appointed Mona Olson, Ron Gogolin, Jeff Renner and Jan Manolis to serve as hearing examiners as needed.
• Approved a parade permit filed by the Huron Chamber & Visitors Bureau for July 4 contingent on approval by the state Department of Transportation for the use of Highway 37.
• Approved request for alcoholic beverage consumption in a public area filed by Mary Lee for a birthday party at Prospect Park Glide and Slide Shelter on Saturday, Trevor Johnson for a barbeque gathering at the Memorial Park south shelter on Jun east shelter on July 15.
• Approved the regular full-time status of firefighter Colt Florey on completion of his probationary period.
• Approved a plat filed by Danny and Connie Hofer, Ravine Lake Heights Development LLC, and Wayde and Laurie Walter, Lake Heights Addition.
• Approved an engagement letter with Snow Huether and Coyle for the annual audit ending Dec. 31, 2017 and authorized the finance director to sign it.
• Authorized the parks and recreation director to apply for a West Nile Virus prevention grant.
