Sometimes life just keeps coming at you! haha

This month, we’ve been working on getting the house my son and daughter have been living in. We bought it in 2024 as a fixer upper and spent quite a bit of time fixing it up that fall. Since Seth is now out of town, my daughter wasn’t able to keep up the rent herself.

So…cleaning and painting and more painting…it’s finally on the market. Would you believe it’s the featured home of the week this newsletter? haha

Keep being awesome,

Tristan

What news caught the most eyeballs or stirred up the most trouble?

4887 Easy Street Garage Variance (Approved): Granted a front yard setback reduction (from 20 ft to 17 ft) and waived the requirement to pave the first 50 ft of the driveway for a new detached garage addition, allowing the existing gravel surface to remain in character with Easy Street.

Handover Drive Triplex Development (Approved 5–3): Approved a major amendment to the Planned Development Overlay for 401 Handover Drive, authorizing construction of a two-story, three-unit triplex in a Medium Density Residential zone with a lot width exception (76 ft vs. 100 ft standard) and 6 off-street parking spaces.

Data Center Zoning Ordinance Amendment (Continued to Nov 5, 2026): Reviewed a proposed citywide zoning framework establishing regulations for Micro (up to 10 MW, permitted), Large Scale (10–50 MW, Conditional Use Permit required), and Hyperscale (50+ MW, prohibited) data centers. Following extensive testimony regarding water conservation, noise/vibration thresholds, power grid impacts, and commercial zoning feasibility, the commission voted to continue the item for 60 days for stakeholder workshops and council review.

Historic Preservation Committee Reappointments (Approved 3–1): Approved the reappointments of Jen Johnson, Emily Calhoun, and Pat Rosland, accompanied by council discussion on expanding public education and review authority beyond the West Boulevard and Downtown historic districts.

Moon Meadows Drive Exception Appeal (Continued to Sept 29, 2026): Deferred an appeal by Founding Equity Land Partners regarding street improvement requirements for a new subdivision cul-de-sac east of Highway 16, allowing additional time for city staff and the developer to finalize infrastructure options.

Community Announcement: The Humane Society of the Black Hills announced the grand opening of its new $1.2 million "Kitty City" facility.

Outside Legal Counsel for Utility Accounts (Approved): Authorized hiring outside legal counsel to pursue collection actions against severely delinquent commercial utility accounts (specifically addressing large unpaid water and sewer balances associated with property portfolios under bankruptcy).

FY2025 Independent Financial Audit (Approved): Accepted the annual financial audit report from KDEL. Rapid City received an unmodified (clean) audit opinion on its financial statements with zero findings on federal grant compliance.

Community Development Block Grant (Approved): Authorized the Mayor to sign the FY2026 CDBG Federal Award Agreement.

Impact Endowment Fund Inaugural Board (Approved 8–2): Confirmed inaugural board appointments (including Don Warren, Henny Shaffy, Jim Skull, and others) to govern the newly created $3.5 million endowment fund (combining $3M in city vision funds and a $500,000 foundation grant) intended to grow a permanent funding pool for local non-profit capital projects.

Utility Collection Litigation Authorization (Approved 8–2): Formally approved up to $50,000 for outside legal counsel to initiate collection lawsuits on delinquent utility accounts following a defeated motion to table the item.

Ordinance & Fiscal Business: Passed the first reading of Ordinance 6745 (rezoning land near Anamosa and Utica Streets to Office Commercial) and the second reading of Ordinance 6748 (FY2027 Appropriations Ordinance).

Historic Preservation Committee Reappointments (Approved): Confirmed final city council approval for the reappointments of Jen Johnson, Emily Calhoun, and Pat Rosland to the Historic Preservation Committee.

Did you know there is a Boba Tea shop in Rushmore Crossing?

While doin’ your Rushmore Crossing shopping, stop in to the Bubble Hub for a huge selection of Boba Tea flavors. Choose your Boba and then choose your flavor. Limitless combinations including energy drinks.

Fall flavors are back in! Pumpkin Spice Boba Tea, Caramel Apple Boba Tea, or Pumpkin Milk Boba Tea.

Plus waffles with many toppings and flavors AND dubai chocolate.

They are right between Dollar Tree and Jersey Mikes on the east side of the plaza.

New video up on YouTube! https://youtu.be/TTIBCuTn7pE

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