Business owners show restaurants support

At the Hill City Common Council meeting May 8, a few local business owners took advantage of the public comment period to express their opposition to the food truck ordinance. They had recently discussed the matter at a merchant meeting and wanted to show their support for the restaurant owners. 

“I just wanted to support my local merchant friends,” said Stevie Cummins, owner of Jewel of the West. “This is a small town. We have traffic five months out of the year, and it takes most everything someone makes in that five months to survive.” 

Rather than bringing in people and food trucks from outside, Cummins would like to see the brick-and-mortar businesses benefited and rallied around. She is concerned that food trucks will weaken the existing restaurants. 

“I really think we should seriously consider the people that are in this community supporting it year round, trying to provide a service or a business to the people in this community,” said Cummins. 

Pat Belczak, along with her son Joe Belczak, owners of Heart of the Hills Antiques, also spoke on behalf of the brick-and-mortar restaurants. 

“I am here to support our local  brick and mortar restaurants because they support all of us, our businesses and our people. They shop at our grocery stores, and they shop at our shops, and they support our schools,” Pat said. “We all depend on the busy time to help us stay in business during the winter. If you take their livelihood away from them during that period, they will have to close during the slow times. That will hurt all of us.” 

Based on her experience owning the Heart of the Hills Antiques for 17 years and staying open year-round, Pat said it is a struggle to stay in business during the slow times. 

Another reason Pat believes brick and mortar restaurants should be supported is they help with events, support fundraisers, offer their time and bring in tax money for the town. 

“These trucks will not only hurt our business community but will hurt all the people in our community. They do not care about the people. The word is money for them,” said Pat. 

Joe agreed with his mom and added, “I support my brick and mortar restaurants, every one of them. We can’t let this affect them. We don’t have much. We’ve got to hold on to what we’ve got.”

He was especially concerned about the potential road congestion food trucks could cause around Tracy Park. 

Later in the report time, alderman Dale Householder said, “I tell you, in eight years of being with the city and Planning and Zoning and here, I don’t think there’s been many issues that have had more discussion than the food truck ordinance.” 

At this point, Householder does not plan on bringing up the ordinance for a vote again. Instead, he suggested looking at conditional use permits that might allow food trucks while incorporating some of the good things from the ordinance. 

Alderman Carl Doaty agreed saying, “I was really on the fence trying to figure out which way to go. I see the positive side here. I see the negative side here, but I agree with you, Dale. I say, let it go and maybe look at a possible different route.” 

In other news, a Variance to commercial architectural standards for a property located at 23927 US Hwy. 385 was brought to the council by the Planning & Zoning commission (P&Z) for its approval. The property in question is 6.3 acres with a single-family home, garage, carport and covered porch which is used as a nightly rental. It was rezoned in order to construct up to 12 rental cabins as well as common areas for guests. 

Although the land use does not conflict with Hill City’s Comprehensive Plan, the proposed mid-century mountain modern style container cabins do not comply with the Hill City design guidelines as referenced in Hill City Municipal Code 602.2 Architecture, hence the variance request. 

As stated in the P&Z report, the “Applicant states that the variance would allow for more economical buildings which would translate to lower nightly rental costs for tourists and would blend nicely into the hillside.” 

Meanwhile, the Comprehensive Plan’s goal as read by developmental services coordinator Dani Schade is “to enhance the quality of life for the people that live and work in the community while maintaining Hill City’s small town look and feel. To that end, adoption of the Comprehensive Plan does not complete the planning effort, rather it is a starting point for taking action to address the current needs and wants of the community and for working toward a better future.” 

Per Title 9 Zoning & Subdivision Regulations there are eight variance review criteria. Of these, the application met two criteria for a variance. The P&Z discussed the request April 17 and unanimously recommended the denial of the application, believing the property should adhere to the architectural guidelines. 

Before the council discussed the application, Sarah Walker asked that they at some point consider reviewing the architectural styles that are allowed. 

“I think it’s something to consider because obviously you have rules for reasons,” Walker said. “But I think these (the proposed buildings) look pretty cool too, and I think that a lot of people who come to stay in the Hills want more of a modern style.”

Householder was concerned that the variance only met two review criteria since the rules were put in place for a reason. 

Alderman Gary Auch pointed out that the reasoning given in the application was based on economic advantages. However, one of the variance review criteria is, “The grant of the variance is not based solely on economic reasons.”

Doaty said that he liked the design and agreed that they need to review the architectural styles “because mountain modern is starting to be pretty big.”

“I agree with Dale though. There was an original plan that was in place, and he does not meet the requirements for the variance,” said Doaty. “We’ve got to go by what the variance said.” 

Alderman Jason Gillaspie agreed, saying, “There are rules for a reason, and that’s where we need to go.”

The council unanimously voted to deny the application. 

The next topic at hand was approval of final plat - 516 Bishop Mountain Dr. The final plat would split the existing 2.85 acres into an additional three lots. The lots comply will all size requirements and access to the lots from the public right away is provided. 

All plots have buildable spaces, and Schade read from the P&Z report that, “The proposed subdivision of land does not conflict with the intent or goals of Hill City’s Comprehensive Plan.” 

Schade continued, saying, “Our city engineer (due to a question from a resident in the area of the subdivision) states that the additional housing units this lot split may create, will not have a noticeable effect on the water pressure.” 

Owner and applicant Ray Berberich did add covenants to the properties, which were indicated on the plat. Of these, Berberich said, “I’m limiting the houses that would be built at the curb to be one story, and I’m also requiring a privacy fence on the back side.” 

The council saw no concerns regarding this application and unanimously voted to approve it. Along with this the council approved the legal description and final resolution of the plat. 

Vic Alexander introduced Matt Stelmach to the council. Stelmach, along with his wife, brother-in-law and family, will take ownership of the convenience stores previously owned by Vic and Sherryl Alexander Enterprises. 

“I think they’re good folks or we wouldn’t be selling to them. Hopefully they’ll do as good of job as we have over the years,” said Alexander. 

Along with this change in ownership, the on-off sale Malt Beverage & SD Farm Wine License for 101 Main Street and 632 Main Street needed to be transferred. The background checks came back in good standing, applications were completed and fees and taxes were paid. 

The council unanimously approved both transfers. 

“Welcome to the community,” Doaty said to Stelmach. 

The Pack Mule, which will be located on the lower half of 285 Main Street, also applied for an on-off sale Malt Beverage and SD Farm Wine License and an on-off sale Wine and Cider License. 

According to finance officer Stacia Tallon the background checks came back in good standing, applications were completed, fees were paid and the owners are ready to move forward. Both requests were approved by the council. 

Several other on-off sale Malt Beverage and SD Farm Wine License renewals were approved by the council as well. These include Alpine Inn, Black Hills Central Railroad Co., Black Hills Bistro, Bumpin Buffalo Bar and Grill, Dollar General Store, Twisted Pine, Heart of the Hills Convenience Store, Heart of the West Conoco, Harney Peak Inn, Mangiamo Pizzeria, Hippie Rock Star Designs, Chute Rooster and The Pack Mule. 

The Big Mick event will  take place June 10 and up to 100 participants are expected. Per the South Dakota Department of Transporation, the Mickelson Trails Affiliates are required to get acknowledgment of the event and use of crosswalks from the local government. The council unanimously approved this acknowledgment. 

The next meeting of the Hill City Common Council is Monday, May 22 at 5:30 p.m. at city hall.