Issues

Planned Growth

Vermillion is going to grow, and we need to make sure that growth is well managed.

Our town is a desirable community: We have healthcare. We have a great school system. We have the finest university in the Midwest! We have groceries. We have industry. In twenty years, Vermillion will be an even more vital hub in Southeast South Dakota than it is now. We need to be ready welcome more residents and businesses in a way that doesn’t overwhelm our resources. And we need to start getting ready now.

Growth doesn’t automatically mean sprawl. We can be smart about increasing residential and business density as well as expanding outside city limits. I suggest that we become more aggressive in our efforts to make Vermillion a more inviting place for housing developers and new businesses. After all, only by increasing our tax base (residents, residences, and businesses) can we lower property taxes by spreading the burden among more taxpayers.

We are lucky to have in place a Comprehensive Plan that prepares us well for this anticipated growth. Let’s be confident putting it into action.

Affordable Housing

Through my experience on the Planning & Zoning Commission, I know Vermillion has mainly been using a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) to help fund the development and construction of affordable housing. This is a fine tool for us, but there are many others, and some are proving successful in our neighboring cities. Other tools include tax incentives, re-zoning to allow greater density, relaxing regulations on “tiny homes” and mother-in-law cottages, for example. Other communities are encouraging rent-to-own housing. Up north, Aberdeen, SD, is pioneering a Homes Are Possible, Inc. (HAPI) model.

Are these good ideas for Vermillion? I haven’t made up my mind yet. We have a lot of thinking to do. Let’s talk.

Bicycle Accessibility

In 2018, the city of Vermillion commissioned a thorough Bicycle Master Plan. The price tag to do everything on their list was prohibitive, but we don’t have to do everything! Many of the suggestions were inexpensive and would make Vermillion a more bicycle-friendly town. Bike infrastructure improves safety for riders and drivers, eases the transportation (and parking) burden, and creates a more physically and economically active community.