Longtime Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Jay Larson has stepped down after 40 years of service

June 26—MITCHELL — For four decades, Jay Larson has been a fixture on the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission.

Monday’s Planning and Zoning Commission meeting was Larson’s last, as the longtime chairman is stepping down from the panel.

After lengthy discussions on major agenda items such as housing development master plans and controversial conditional use permit applications, Larson often provided some wisdom from his recent years on the commission.

“Part of this work is looking into the crystal ball of the future. And I don’t care how much Windex you put on, or how many times you wash, it’s cloudy,” Larson said of the challenges commission members face. when making decisions on a fortnightly basis.

Outgoing Mayor Bob Everson, who served on the commission for two decades before serving two terms as mayor, thanked Larson for his years of service on the commission and highlighted his “wealth of knowledge” on the city’s zoning.

“A lot of knowledge goes with you,” Everson said during Monday’s meeting. “We appreciate what you’ve done for the city of Mitchell.”

Members of the Planning and Zoning Commission are appointed by the acting mayor of Mitchell. Larson has earned the respect of several mayors who have reappointed him to serve multiple terms since he was appointed in 1984.

Committee members are not compensated for their role while serving on the volunteer board.

“We served at the pleasure of the mayor and I was fortunate enough to be reappointed several times,” Larson said.

The commission also makes recommendations on variance permits and tax increment financing district limits. The recommendations are then considered by the Mitchell City Council – the governing body that ultimately decides most agenda items that come before the commission.

Larson was highly complimentary of the existing members of the commission and said the panel is “one of the best” he has worked with in his 40 years of service on the commission. Interim committee members are Jon Osterloo, Stratton Havlik, Jacob Sonne, Kevin Genzlinger, Jon Schmitz and Larry Jirsa.

“You study. You do your homework. You come with knowledge,” Larson said of the commission.

Larson also did a lot of homework that gave him more insight into the agenda items he made decisions about.

He frequently attended city planning meetings, state conferences and South Dakota Department of Transportation meetings.

Reflecting on his 40 years serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission, Larson said he enjoyed the experience.

“I liked it. I really liked it,” an emotional Larson said before wrapping up his final commission meeting on Monday.

The city will hold a recognition event for Larson on July 8 at City Hall.