STURGIS, S.D. – The Sturgis City Council met for their first meeting in February at city hall last night.
On the agenda was approval of first reading of an ordinance that deals with adoption and revision of the city’s code of ordinances.
The city is currently working with its city attorney on the ordinance revision.
City Attorney Eric Davis says American Legal Publishing is handling the recodification effort of the city’s ordinances and preparing a new codified publication. A.L.P. recently issued a detailed legal and editorial report for the city attorney to review.
The ordinance is an ‘ordinance in revision’ and contemplates use of a committee to prepare and submit revisions as work on the project continues.
Also on the agenda, was approval of an item to obtain guidance on revision of MH-1, the manufactured home zone district ordinance.
The ordinance was established to allow only manufactured homes and accessory buildings. Unlike traditional mobile home parks, lots within MH-1 districts are typically individually owned rather than rented from a landlord.
Because some stick-built homes existed within MH-1 zoning prior to its designation, these homes are considered non-conforming. Some mortgage lenders are unwilling to issue loans for homes that cannot guarantee the right to rebuild.
The council decided to work on revising the zoning code to allow reconstruction of non-conforming site-built homes in the MH-1 district while continuing to examine the issue by obtaining public engagement and stakeholder participation. The issue is expected to addressed as part of the city’s comprehensive plan update in the fall.
