Planning for Growth in Lawrence County

August 2024 | Eric Jennings, Lawrence County Commissioner Opinion Editorial, Black Hills Pioneer

Lawrence County has experienced growth of residential, commercial and industrial properties at a surprising pace.  Whether you have lived here for 4 years or 40, you have noticed a lot of new building taking place. Only time will tell if the growth rate continues at this pace, slow down or speed up; but whatever the case may be, we must plan for the future. We all likely have an ideal vision of what developmental growth should occur in our county and where it should happen. It’s a delicate balance between protecting the beauty and culture of our area with allowing others the same economic opportunities and lifestyle that we enjoy. 

Lawrence County is fortunate that the county commission had the foresight in the early 1970’s to institute a zoning ordinance and develop a comprehensive plan for organized growth.  The comprehensive plan gives our planners and developers guidance as to what type of growth should occur and where, without specifically dictating growth. Our zoning ordinance is the piece of the puzzle that regulates the type of land uses that are permitted in specific areas and the densities of development that are permitted.  

Each zoning type has approved uses and conditional uses so neighboring landowners know what to expect from that area and land use conflicts are reduced.  Approved uses need no additional permitting, conditional uses do.  For example, raising cows in a pasture zoned Ag-1 is an approved use and needs no county permitting. Operating a repair shop in an Ag-1 zoned area is a conditional use and needs a conditional use permit from the county.  The comprehensive plan, a zoning map of the county, and other information pertaining to land use can be found on the Lawrence County website under the Planning and Zoning department tab or find it here.

Lawrence County Planning and Zoning Board is now developing a Future Land Use Map (FLUM). This process has included open meetings over the past several months. This FLUM will not replace the comprehensive plan or change the zoning ordinance, but rather it’s intended to reflect what we as county residents support for future land uses and what type of land uses are appropriate.  We hope to identify where residential development should occur and at what densities, where light industrial businesses should exist, what areas have potential for mineral extraction, what areas should be set aside for production agriculture, and many other questions that residents may have.  

The City of Spearfish is going through a similar planning process with the same planning group, the SE Group, which results in continuity and cost savings for both entities.  We have been in regular communication with the city regarding their progress and have held joint planning meetings with them.  

As we work towards a completion of the FLUM, we want to hear from you.  The county will host two open house style meetings, one on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 from 5-7 pm at the Spearfish Rec Center and one on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 from 12-2 pm at the Days of 76 Museum to share what we have done so far and receive your input on the future growth of our county.  Meeting information can also be found on the county’s website and will be published in the BH Pioneer.  

The world is run by those who show up; please join us and make your voice heard!