Podcast Upload Summary: Watertown Council Approves Dakota Commons Housing, Infrastructure Fee Set, and NWS Releases Cold/Wet Winter Forecast
Watertown City Council Greenlights Dakota Commons Development The Watertown City Council approved the final annexation and rezoning measures for the Dakota Commons project on a 5-to-1 vote, a step intended to address the city's severe housing shortage. The approval rezones 3.7 acres for C2 commercial and R3 multi-family residential use. The decision followed a public hearing where seven residents spoke against the proposal, citing concerns about increased traffic and the size of the proposed three-story buildings. Ultimately, the council prioritized the need for housing and future growth. Councilman Mohrmann cast the lone dissenting vote. The developer, Mills Development, confirmed the multi-family buildings are comparable to existing twin homes and will include extensive landscaping to help them blend in.
Watertown Driver Injured in Deer Collision A driver was transported to Prairie Lakes Hospital on Monday, October 20, following a collision with a deer on US Highway 212 near mile marker 369 at approximately 12:30 p.m. Watertown Fire Rescue (WFR) responded, finding a sedan with significant front-end damage. WFR personnel assisted with traffic control and patient assessment before the driver was transported for further evaluation of their injuries. WFR is reminding motorists to exercise extreme caution as deer activity increases during the late fall, particularly at dawn and dusk.
City Council Finalizes Northeast Interceptor Sewer Fee In a unanimous vote, the Watertown City Council approved a resolution establishing a public infrastructure cost recovery fee for the Northeast Interceptor sanitary sewer line. The fee is a fixed cost collected only when a property is annexed into the city and connects to the line, benefiting future growth in the area. Following strong opposition, the council voted to exclude the entire Northwoods development from the fee map, creating a $15,000 shortfall. To avoid delays, the council agreed to absorb this cost rather than redistribute it. This action officially sets the fixed recovery rate for the remaining properties, providing a clear framework for future sewer connections in the city's Northeast Corridor.
Northern Plains Winter Outlook Favors Colder, Wetter Conditions The National Weather Service (NWS) in Aberdeen has issued its Winter Outlook (December 2025 – February 2026), advising the Northern Plains, including central and northeast South Dakota, to prepare for a higher likelihood of below-average temperatures and above-average precipitation. The forecast is attributed to La Niña conditions, which are expected to persist throughout the winter. Historically, this pattern favors a cooler and wetter winter for the region, continuing a wet trend from the summer where local sites like Watertown, Milbank, Sisseton, and Wilmot reported their wettest summer on record. The NWS urges residents and businesses to use October 22nd, South Dakota's designated Winter Weather Preparedness Day, as a reminder to review safety plans and stock up on emergency supplies.
