Harrisburg is South Dakota's fastest growing city. Population projections indicate that the town's growth shows no signs of slowing, which has area developers preparing for a major influx of new residents.

The completion of Veteran's Parkway over the next 5-10 years will bring even more people to northern Harrisburg at an even faster pace. In the next 20 years, our city's population will grow from 9500 to nearly 30,000; requiring significant new housing & development. It's become quite clear that the time to address this situation is now.

Though new housing is a critical need for Harrisburg, the planned Birdie View development east of Louise Avenue is being opposed by golf-course homeowners who don't even live in Harrisburg. This group has gathered 300 signatures from actual Harrisburg residents to put the Birdie View zoning ordinance to a vote and prevent the development from being built. While the  group claims their actions are about traffic congestion and safety, the fact is they don't want this development and the young professionals & families who'll reside there anywhere near their multimillion dollar homes.

It's the classic "not in my backyard" scenario. And it disregards what's critically important for the city of Harrisburg. Let's not let a few wealthy outsiders dictate what Harrisburg needs.

Vote YES on the Rezoning Ordinance.