City Council denies rezoning request for northeast Watertown neighborhood (Audio)
February 7, 2023
Mike Tanner
WATERTOWN, S.D. (KWAT)–The Watertown City Council has defeated a request for a rezoning of property in a northeast neighborhood.
Archer Land Development wanted a three-and-a-half acre site (pictured) along 14th Avenue Northeast to be re-zoned from its current R-2 designation, which allows for twin homes and duplexes, to R-3, which is high-density housing.
The developer wanted to place four apartment buildings on the site, which drew strong pushback from the Eastwoods neighborhood.
After more than an hour of discussion, the council voted 4-to-3 against the rezoning request.
Jessica Lessin is a resident of Cherry Drive and spoke against the rezoning request…
Councilman Mike Danforth, whose Ward A is in the neighborhood in question, supported those in opposition to the rezoning…
Another “no” vote on the rezoning came from Councilman Bruce Buhler…
Mayor Ried Holien, and councilmen Dan Schutte also voted no.
Because the rezoning had been earlier voted down by the planning commission, five yes votes were needed at the council level for the question to pass.
