Land Use Planning

County and Municipal Comprehensive Plans

The comprehensive plan is established as guide for the growth and development of the county or a community in relation to land use, conservation of natural resources, economic development, transportation network, and public services.  The comprehensive plan provides the framework for the Planning Commission and the City Council or County Commission in reviewing land use and development related issues.  The plans and policies contained in this document are an adopted statement of public policy which will serve, not only as a guide in the decision making process, but also to communicate an understanding of a community’s’ growth policies to the general public and other agencies.  It is to provide predictability about potential land uses and the timing of development so that both public and private sectors can anticipate the needs of the community.  The comprehensive plan is a deliberate stance taken to proactively manage future growth and development as opposed to reacting to development proposals on a case by case basis without consideration of community wide issues and objectives.

Zoning Ordinance Development

SDCL 11-2 (County) and SDCL 11- 4 and 11-6 (Municipal) provides for local governments to adopt zoning regulations.  It is the purpose of a zoning ordinance to promote the safety, health, morals, convenience and general welfare.  It provides a basis to encourage the use of lands and natural resources in the city/county in accordance with their character, adaptability, and suitability for particular purpose.  It gives an opportunity to provide for economic stability and protect the general character of a community/county.  It will prevent the excessive concentration of population; to lessen congestion of streets and highways, minimize sewerage and drainage issues, and ensure that adequate water supply and distribution are provided along with other public resources.  The regulations are intended to preserve and protect existing property uses and values against adverse or unharmonious adjacent uses.

Subdivision Ordinance Development

SDCL 11-2 and 11-3 (County) and SDCL 11-3 and 11-6 (Municipal) provides for local governments to adopt subdivision regulations.  It is the purpose of the subdivision ordinance to regulate the subdivision of land so as to coordinate streets/roads with other subdivisions and uses, to provide water and sanitation facilities, drainage and flood control, to foster efficient and orderly urban growth compatible with the natural environment, to minimize cut and fill operations, to prevent premature land subdivision and to conform with the comprehensive plan for the city or county.