County commission denies dog boarding application

by Benjamin Chase

of the Plainsman

HURON –– The Beadle County Commission met Tuesday morning and acted on three items as the county board of adjustment, including denying a conditional use application to open a dog boarding business in the Morningside neighborhood.

The applicants for the business were not present to answer concerns that the commission had regarding the number of dogs, noise suppression, fencing, and other questions. Neighbors to the proposed business also spoke against the application, stating that the landowner is not a resident of the property, but was looking to create potential issues with noise in a residential area. The commission voted to deny the application.

Commissioners had questions about a moving permit for a shed and a new modular home to be moved to Lake Byron. The applicant had already received the shed and is in the process of cleaning the property to remove the current modular home on the property, so the shed is currently set on the property in a way that does not adhere to setbacks. The commission approved the moving permit with conditions that the shed be moved to setbacks, with summer traffic picking up at the lake and the shed’s current position a potential hazard.

The commission also approved a variance request by McNeil Farm Trust in Wessington to put in a drop pit on bins property owned within the city limits. The city had already approved the variance, and the county followed suit.

The commission approved two new hires, one with the highway department and one in custodial. A resignation at the jail was also approved.

The commission spoke with Judy Rodacker, Register of Deeds, about the job search in her department. She reported that she has a number of strong applicants and will move forward. She also talked with the commission about a phone allowance as she is now receiving work email on her cell phone. The commission approved a monthly allowance.

Grow SD met with the commission to discuss the program and encourage continued support. The commission voted to fund Grow SD again and will fill the spot on the board vacated when a commissioner recently resigned.

The commission meets again on June 4 to canvass the primary election.