The information provided on this page is from an engineering study conducted by KLJ in 2014.  There have been no recent updates to the study. 

Information from the Official Land Use Study Conducted by KLJ

The School parcel is the largest of all parcels included in the Land Use Study.  It contains several existing uses as well as environmental and cultural constraints.  The site is bounded by BLM land and the City-owned lagoons to the north, HWY 34 and Fort Meade to the south, private commercial use to the east (unincorporated land), and BLM land to the west.

The site is encumbered by several public uses under the management of several differing jurisdictions.  These include the Sturgis Brown High School, National Guard, and the federally regulated floodplain.  The site also contains a known historic armory and rifle range site.  A finding on the archeological conditions of the respective sites is provided in Appendix III of the Final Comprehensive Plan.

Existing Use diagram

Overall, the parcel is approximately 460 acres, of which only 135 acres is readily available for development.  This developable area is the approximate acreage of land remaining after the existing uses, a majority of the floodplain, the landlocked northerly portion, ten-acre public school, and 50 acre National Guard reserve sites are removed front he gross acreage.  Although there is developable acreage north of the creek, the site is relatively inaccessible due to the expanse of the Bear Butte Creek floodplain which blocks reasonable access from the south and the BLM land to the north.

The significant developable land within the site has recently been used for agricultural purposes or is left in a relatively natural state.  Due to the diverse nature of the existing and proposed uses on the site, several alternatives were prepared and discussed within the Final Comprehensive Plan.

ACCESS:
Access to the site is via Hwy 34.  The DOT expressed no reservations in using existing access points, expressing a desire to have the access to the Sturgis Brown High School improved and keeping any proposed new access across from existing access points south of the highway.  There were no prohibitions expressed for additional access points, noting each proposed improvement would need to be adequately planned and reviewed at the time of the application.

Meade County School District was interviewed in the preliminary phases of the project, in part to discuss the existing principle, west access to the school.  This shared access serves not only the school but also the County 4H facilities and other auxiliary buildings north of the high school.  This access serves a 'loop' road that encircles the high school and ties into the existing easterly access to the school and existing National Guard facilities.    The configuration of the westerly access, combined with the traffic volumes, relatively inexperienced drivers and a lack of a signal makes this a dangerous intersection.  The City, DOT, and the school district all expressed a desire to improve the functionality and safety of this intersection.

Additional information regarding adding additional access points, utilities, cultural & environmental conditions are available in the Final Comprehensive Land Use Plan .

Land Use Plan 'A'

This plan was developed to address several concerns that arose during the initial public meetings on this site.  The following outline generally covers the concerns discussed:

• Separate sites for Rodeo & Motorsports.
• Added recreational facilities such as ballparks, dog park, biking, trails, equestrian, motorsports.
• Expansion room for the Fairgrounds.
• Site for eventual indoor events.
• Five (5) acre National Guard site.
• Residential in a mix of types, single family & multi-family.

Site Organizational Drawing (SOD) A
In addition to comments received from the public, it was later determined that Meade School District wished to retain approximately ten (10) acres of land west of the existing school and the National Guard wished to retain fifty (50) acres of land surrounding their current facilities on the site.

Highlights:

• 20+ acre rodeo & fairgrounds with separate parking for contestants/exhibitors and spectators.  Arena searing and parking for approximately 1,000 spectators.
• Approximately 50,000 square foot indoor events space.
• 35 acre, separate motorsports complex with searing for approximately 1,000 spectators, separate pit area and participant parking.
• Additional six acres of public park with passive use field space.
• Significant open space area for trails, cycling events, trailheads, dog park or other uses.
• Minimal impact or development within the floodplain and wooded areas.
• Approximately 8 acres of commercial development sites.
• Approximately 56 acres of mixed use residential development.
• Sustainable, compact, cluster development with boulevard streets aligned to preserve views to Ft. Meade, Bear Butte, and the surrounding wooded hillsides and banks of Bear Butte Creek.
• Numerous open space connections and view corridors from the residential areas.

View Land Use Plan 'A'

Land Use Plan B

The significant difference with this plan as compared to Plan A is the resolution of the concerns with the proximity of the rodeo and fairgrounds to the residential area.  By locating these recreational and event facilities to the southeast corner of the site, just south of the motorsports complex and adjacent to the highway, there are significant improvements to the traffic circulation and an increase in the efficiencies of parking and shared uses.  The complete separation of these uses from the residential area significantly improves the quality of life in all of the residential area, primarily by separating the noise, light, and traffic impacts from the residential uses.   This plan does not contain any active use of parkland or fields.

Highlights:

• 50+ acre rodeo & fairgrounds, motorsports, and events complex with separate parking for contestants/exhibitors and spectators.  Arena seating and event parking for approximately 2,300 guests.
• Approx. 50,000 square foot indoor events space.
• Significant open space area for trails, cycling events, trailheads, dog park or other uses.
• Minimal impact or development within the floodplain and wooded areas.
• Additional parkland.
• 60 acres of mixed use residential development.
• Sustainable, compact, cluster development with boulevard streets aligned to preserve views to Ft. Meade, Bear Butte and surrounding areas.
• Numerous open space connections and view corridors into Bear Butte Creek from the residential areas.

The livability and affordability of this plan is maintained via the use of compact, clustered development that includes the lifestyle enhanced development strategies outlined in the recommendations section of the Final Comprehensive Land Use Plan .

View Land Use Plan 'B'

Land Use Plan C

Similar to Land Use Plan 'B', this plan moves the rodeo and fairgrounds to an area adjacent to the motorsports complex and events center without losing the significant economic opportunity of the commercial sites along the highway in the southeastern corner.  Similar to Plan 'B', this plan does not include any active use of parkland or fields.

Highlights:

• 53+ acre rodeo & fairgrounds, motorsports, and events complex with separate parking for contestants/exhibitors and spectators.  Arena seating and event parking for approximately 1,300 spectators and guests.
• Approx. 50,000 square foot indoor events space.
• Significant open space area for trails, cycling events, trailheads, dog park or other uses.
• Minimal impact or development within the floodplain and wooded areas.
• Five plus (5.4) acres, commercial development sites.
• 60 acres of mixed use residential development.
• Sustainable, compact, cluster development with boulevard streets aligned to preserve views to Ft. Meade, Bear Butte and surrounding areas.
• Numerous open space connections and view corridors into Bear Butte Creek from the residential areas.

The rodeo arena in this plan is tucked in the north-central portion of the site.  The advantage of this location is that it places these facilities close to existing county and school agricultural facilities.  The opportunity to work jointly for a variety of events is considerable, with added adjacent parking via the school's lot a significant advantage.  The disadvantage of this plan is the rodeo and fairgrounds are fairly hidden and may require additional infrastructure improvements.

View Land Use Plan 'C' For a full analysis of this plan visit the Full Land Use Plan .
If you have questions about this parcel or any other parcel included in the Plan, please call the Planning & Zoning Office or the Sturgis City Manager at 605-347-4422.