Driving Economic Growth, Protecting Local Control
By Governor Kristi Noem
South Dakota is the best state in the nation to do business. We have a lot of great things going for us – low taxes, low regulations, a strong work ethic – but we must constantly work to expand our horizons and advance our communities. We’re aggressively pursuing new industries and businesses that create good-paying jobs for our kids and grandkids. As we do that, we must also take a close look at existing issues that may hold back progress.
One of those problems is the conditional use permitting process – a sometimes long, cumbersome process that can take months, even years, to complete. This uncertainty is unfair to everyone involved.
Last month, I announced a plan that creates a fairer, more predictable process for businesses and families who want to create or expand their operations in South Dakota. Let me take you through some of the details of the legislation.
My proposal protects local control. This is incredibly important to me, as I believe the best decisions are made at the local level. Folks who live in a community should have a say in what is developed, so my bill establishes a majority vote process that ensures the local community gets to make decisions, not a fringe few. Nothing is changed in my legislation regarding public input or public notice.
Because local control is so important, my bill does not take away existing zoning standards adopted by a county, nor does it take away local ability to appeal a conditional use permit. Rather, the bill provides added clarity on how a county may adopt special permitted use criteria. Counties that require zoning may either follow the conditional use permit or allow certain projects that meet county established criteria to be approved by a special permitted use. The special permitted use is an existing county option.
Simply put, I want to set up a fair, certain, and reliable system for everyone – both community members and economic developers. We want to roll out the red carpet, not the red tape for those who want to create or expand their business.
While attending a national governor’s meeting in early February, I learned this problem is widespread.
Douglas Peterson, the CEO at S&P Global, said the thing that most frustrates companies, financial institutions, designers, and architects is the permitting process. Diane Leopold, the executive Vice President of Dominion Energy, echoed Peterson’s sentiments and said we need “consistency of process.”
To ensure economic progress is possible for our communities, this legislation is critical. I look forward to working with your legislators in the coming weeks to make sure our communities are equipped to open their doors to projects and industries that keep our kids in South Dakota for generations to come.
###