Hughes County resident has new idea for development

By Jeff Bunn
Capital journal staff
Published/Last Modified on Friday, Aug 01, 2008 - 06:05:53 am CDT

PIERRE — Having pinpointed what he believes is a real housing want in the community, Don Sandberg, a Pierre home builder for 10 years, is now working to bring it to the home owners and horse lovers in the community.

On Monday, Sandberg will go before the Hughes County Commission for the first reading on his proposal to rezone some 70 acres eight miles east of Pierre on the north side of U.S. Highway 14/83 for a housing development catering to home and horse owners.

The development will consist of homes and barns sitting on 10 acres of land, which gives horse owners enough land to live and keep a horse on, Sandberg said.

Jeff Bunn | Capital Journal
A sign advertises lots for sale east of town Thursday afternoon. A local man will go before the Hughes County Commission Monday for a first reading of his plan to develop 70 acres approximately eight miles east of town for a housing development catering to horse owners.
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“It’s just a different approach,” he said. “There is nothing like this here.”

As land in the county is zoned for agriculture, parcels of at least 40 acres are typically sold. People who would like to downsize a parcel for residential use only, for example, must rezone the land through approval by the county commission.

The unnamed development would allow land buyers to bypass the rezoning process and focus on building their home and barn.

Sandberg said he has discussed the development with Oahe Electric and Mid-Dakota Rural Water.

If the proposal receives first reading, the final reading would likely be Aug. 18, according to Mel Placek, Hughes County director of planning and zoning.

The county has been committed to not rezoning small chunks of land from ag land as part of its comprehensive plan, said Placek.

“As soon as we start carving out two-, three-, four-, five-acre pieces for houses, it starts making it more difficult for the ag industry to operate effectively,” he said. “We will look at what the impact will be on surrounding ag properties if we permit turning this parcel into a residential-use.”

The county could benefit from the property tax the development would generate, Placek said.

“If the property is developed as residential lots, they would likely increase the tax base above what the property draws as ag land,” he said.

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Comments

17 comment(s)

Mememe wrote on Aug 18, 2008 8:44 AM:

" There is one of these developments in Yankton - and so far it is pretty much empty. Good luck with this. "

meh wrote on Aug 11, 2008 3:29 PM:

" It is always great to see someone stop talking and start doing. If we had more people like that there would be much less to complain about on the capjournal.com site! I don't care for horses and would never live in the country, but I know plenty of people that would jump at this opportunity and just waiting for someone else to do the work! Good job Sandberg. I hope it flies!

As far as the "poor" housing market. Anyone can get affordable housing. Lower expectations and quit blowing money on lattes. "

Mike wrote on Aug 10, 2008 7:06 PM:

" There are plenty of for sale signs for the eagle creek employees, if someone wants to pay for land and put a barn on it and raise horses, go ahead. Its not my cup of tea but the best of luck to you and your plans. "

Blah Blah Blah wrote on Aug 8, 2008 4:13 PM:

" To all the whiners! This story isn't about whether you can afford land in the country at those prices or whether we need better housing IN town for middle income workers. It's about a builder who has a plan for people who CAN afford the lots and whether or not there is a market niche for this type of development. He is playing by the rules and going before the county to see the obstacles and come up with any constructive alternatives to the jurisdiction already in place. Geesh! Comment on the story not vent about your own housing limitations. "

hmmmm wrote on Aug 8, 2008 6:37 AM:

" to another trailer park - what is wrong with double wides? Some people can't afford anything different. Quit looking down your nose - and making it sound like its something terrible. "

Excited wrote on Aug 7, 2008 4:21 PM:

" I think is a wonderful venture and definitely will fill a need in this area. Not sure how expensive lots will be, but I am going to start saving now! "

Another development for the rich. wrote on Aug 6, 2008 8:39 AM:

" I would love a country lifestyle and be able to have a horse--but I can neither afford 4 acres or 40 acres. The real housing need in Pierre is for NICE two bedroom homes with decent yards in decent neighborhoods for a price around 70-80K The governors house program does nothing to help hardworking families--its too much $$. If we get the working poor out of renting and into a nice home that they can take pride in owning, certain areas of this town would clean up and be nice. "

taxes wrote on Aug 5, 2008 3:48 AM:

" This sounds like just another way to scam the county out of much needed tax revenue. If these people can afford to own a horse and live outside of town then they should be able to afford the increase in taxes for residential zoning. For this reason this is not a great idea to skirt the rezoning of ag land to residential zoning. If this is such a great idea then the developer needs to sell it for what it really is a residential development. "

Heres an idea... wrote on Aug 4, 2008 12:08 PM:

" This has been done in other areas and worked very well....Set aside 50 acres with a large barn and stalls, an arena and pasture area. Then, sell several 1 acre homesites. Association fees pay for upkeep on the barn - each owner is responsible for caring/feeding their own animals. It's a great way to have country living and convenience for an affordable price. "

current owner wrote on Aug 2, 2008 11:25 PM:

" As for affordable housing I have had my house on the market for almost six months. Its a nice house in a quite neighborhood, but nobody seems to be interested. I quess a $130K home should look like the governor's mansion. The housing market is slow and is a buyers market, but lets be reasonable you can buy a house for whatever price you are willing to pay. It doesn't have to be a mansion. "

current owner wrote on Aug 2, 2008 11:18 PM:

" There is a need in this community for something like this. The area is beautiful and people have the ability to experience nature at its best. Yes, there will be complaints, but if you move to the country plan on things being more difficult. Such items are the neighbor spraying weeds, or just trying to harvest the crop. Saftey on this deveolpment is no different than farmer Joe turning onto his own access road off the highway. This developement is also going to be limited to maybe six or LESS homes. The county is taking measures to control this. "

Another trailer park wrote on Aug 2, 2008 9:27 AM:

" Great. Another housing community with double wide homes or similar; like we see at Flat Rock Estates. Why not build homes with some character rather than plain, ranch style 2000 sq ft homes that resemble a double wide park. Just look what's out there now; very little creativity on the part of local builders especially when they charge $200/sq ft. Sad. "

Gerald D. Cameron wrote on Aug 2, 2008 9:24 AM:

" Regarding this type of an Equine addition, it could lead to the need for an an Equine center development. This area is so loaded with fishing and hunting, this type of addition would compliment new business in several areas. Strict building codes and covenants would and should be in place and "new RIVER RANCH RESORTS, could take a new place in the Pierre area. "

Say what wrote on Aug 1, 2008 3:09 PM:

" This is a real housing want?? How about some real housing needs in this town?!? Affordable housing for young families is more necessary than some 10 acre hobby farm. Houses are overpriced in this town for existing homes and no new affordable homes (no more than the $130k)are being built. With Eagle Creek coming to town, why are the developers wasting there time building apartment buildings whose rent is the same as an affordable new home (like what's being built in the Sioux Falls and Rapid City areas)? Oh wait, this is Pierre after all.... "

why not wrote on Aug 1, 2008 12:40 PM:

" it makes sense, so they arent going to do it. I cant afford 40 acres @ 2500 to 3000 dollars per acre, but 10 maybe "

Safety first wrote on Aug 1, 2008 11:56 AM:

" The county needs to consider the roads on these highways that they are allowing all these new homes. There are no turning lanes and cars are traveling down the highway at 65 mph when the car in front of them comes to a dead stop to turn into their driveways. "

Great idea. wrote on Aug 1, 2008 8:52 AM:

" What a great idea! I would love to have acreage and pasture my horses on my own land. Unable to afford 40 acres, this would be ideal for many people. Consider the smalltime buyer, destress people, get back to nature. "

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