After hitting a buzz saw of opposition from local residents, the Pennington County Commission has dropped a proposal to limit building and other activities along scenic routes.

More than 100 residents, mostly from western Pennington County, showed up at a special meeting March 11 to complain about what they said was an overly restrictive ordinance being considered by the county's Scenic Routes Committee.

Because of a lack of public support, the committee recommended dropping the proposed ordinance, according to Brenda Young, chairwoman both of the committee and the county commission.

The commission voted at its March 18 meeting to accept the committee's recommendation.

Young and other proponents said the proposed ordinance was aimed at preserving the natural beauty surrounding scenic roads. The ordinance would have prohibited certain uses, such as billboards, junkyards, outdoor merchandise displays and industrial uses within about 1,000 feet of the road. It would have limited other activities, including on-premise signs and power facilities.

Young said existing situations would have been "grandfathered in" under the ordinance.

But residents complained that it would have put burdensome and unfair restrictions on their property rights.

With more than 90 percent of those appearing at four public meetings opposing the proposal, the committee decided to abandon it, Young said.

Young said residents who favored the proposed ordinance did not attend the public meetings.

Ralph Kruse, who lives on Palmer Creek Road, said he was relieved that the county has backed away from the proposed ordinance. "What concerned me was my entire property would be covered by that 1,000-feet rule," he said. Kruse said his property is a triangle hemmed in on two sides by the creek.

Despite the grandfather provision, the ordinance would have prohibited future development, he said.

Kruse said the county has enough ordinances already in place to keep areas cleaned up along roadways. "It's a matter of enforcement," he said.

Vic Alexander of Hill City agreed, saying that he opposed the ordinance but favors preserving the aesthetics of scenic parts of the county. He said he has urged the county planning department to look at whether existing ordinances can be used to preserve the beauty of scenic areas.

Young said she was not aware of activity on current ordinances. But, she said, "It could be an option in the future."

Young said broad public support would be needed if the scenic-routes concept is to be resurrected in the future.

Contact Steve Miller at 394-8417 or steve.miller@rapidcityjournal.com