Watertown's south side is getting another round of building lots. On Oct. 5, the City Council approved the plat for Harmony Hill Fourth Addition and authorized the city manager to sign a development agreement. That clears the way for 40 new single-family lots.
According to the city's Oct. 5 council packet, SCI Development LLC is the owner and developer. The development covers 9.76 acres that will be split into 40 lots zoned R-1C, Compact Single Family Residential.
The project has been moving through city hall all year. The zoning was approved April 10. A tax increment financing district, TIF 23, classified as affordable housing, was recorded for the development on June 18. Construction plans were approved July 31. The Planning Commission recommended approval 5-0 on Sept. 24.
Curbs, pipe and pavement
The city's agenda memo didn't list a financial impact. The development agreement makes the developer responsible for the subdivision improvements: curb and gutter, street base, fabric and asphalt, water and sewer services, storm sewer, drainage, sidewalks and ADA ramps.
An engineer's cost estimate dated July 14 and attached to the agreement puts that work at about $1.68 million. With a 10% contingency, the total is about $1.85 million.
The estimate shows how much goes into 40 lots. It includes about 2,672 feet of 8-inch water main, six fire hydrants, about 2,134 feet of 8-inch sanitary sewer with 11 manholes, more than 4,100 feet of concrete curb and gutter and nearly 1,950 tons of asphalt.
The agreement also sets a long timeline for sidewalks. Sidewalks not shown on the approved construction plans can pass to the lot owners. All remaining sidewalks must be in by Oct. 5, 2031. The city can require them sooner once 30% or less of a side's sidewalk is left unbuilt. Improvements carry a one-year warranty after the city accepts the work.
Rollover curbs on a hilltop site
One detail stood out at the meeting. As Northeast Radio SD reported, City Manager Alan Stager said city engineering staff worked with the developers to use rollover, or drive-over, curbs instead of standard 6-inch or 8-inch curbs. Because the development sits at the top of a hill, Stager said, the streets don't need to carry runoff the way they would on lower ground.
"Engineering staff was able to look at this and make that accommodation for the developer," Stager said. "That just shows how we are actively engaged with developers at each stage of the project to try to get to affordable lots that accommodate our goal of having more affordable housing in the community."
Northeast Radio also reported that Community Development Manager Brandy Hanten confirmed the entire development is outside the floodplain. Mayor Ried Holien described the city's growth as "literally going on in all four directions."
The station reported the vote as unanimous. The city's draft minutes, which are up for approval at the council's Oct. 19 meeting, record that the motion by Councilman Allen, seconded by Councilman Heuer, carried. Six council members and Mayor Holien answered the roll call that night, according to the minutes.
The Northeast Radio story carried the byline of Steve Jurrens. Watertown also has a council member named Jurrens, so this story relies on the city's own documents for the plat details and the vote.
For residents, the addition brings more single-family lots to a part of Watertown that has already seen earlier Harmony Hill additions, and it gives builders another place to look for lots heading into next year.
Why it matters for Contractors
Forty lots means 40 foundations, 40 roofs and a lot of trade work once the streets and utilities are in. Before that, there's about $1.85 million in estimated site work: grading, water main, sewer, storm sewer, curb and paving. That's the kind of job local excavating and utility contractors count on.
The curb decision is worth watching too. Watertown showed it is willing to adjust a standard when the site allows it, with the stated goal of bringing down lot costs. Pair that with an affordable-housing TIF, and the city is working several angles to make compact single-family lots pencil out. For builders looking for lots in northeast South Dakota, Harmony Hill Fourth Addition is a good one to keep an eye on as the infrastructure goes in.