Communities

City of Spearfish, SD Comprehensive Plan

City of Spearfish, South Dakota

Spearfish sign illuminated at night in blue, surrounded by plants.

SE Group worked with the City of Spearfish to develop a comprehensive plan that balances growth, community character, and environmental stewardship in one of South Dakota’s most scenic and fast-growing communities.

Framed by the dramatic cliffs and rolling prairies of the northern Black Hills, Spearfish is one of South Dakota’s most distinctive communities. Known for its breathtaking scenery, abundant outdoor recreation, vibrant arts scene, and historic downtown, Spearfish is both a tourism destination and a place residents are proud to call home. Its proximity to Spearfish Canyon, Black Hills State University, and regional trail networks make it a hub of creativity, education, and adventure.

The Challenge

As Spearfish continues to attract new residents and visitors, the community faces the challenge of managing growth while preserving the qualities that make it unique. Rapid development pressures, housing affordability, transportation demands, and the need to coordinate land use across city and county lines prompted the City to update its Comprehensive Plan. Local leaders wanted a plan that would be visionary yet practical—one that could guide policy, development, and investment for the next 20 years.

SE Group's Role

SE Group partnered with the City of Spearfish to craft a new comprehensive plan that reflects the community’s values and aspirations. Working closely with City staff, elected officials, and local stakeholders, the team developed a framework to balance conservation and growth, address housing and infrastructure needs, and strengthen community identity. The result—Adventure Ahead: Spearfish Comprehensive Plan—was adopted by the Spearfish City Council in March 2025.

The Impact

The new Comprehensive Plan establishes a shared vision for the City’s future—one that embraces growth while safeguarding the natural beauty, small-town character, and cultural vibrancy that define Spearfish. Through data-driven analysis, authentic community engagement, and regional cooperation, SE Group helped lay the foundation for a resilient, connected, and thriving Black Hills community.

A Community-Driven Process

Engagement was the cornerstone of this planning effort. SE Group designed a robust and inclusive outreach strategy to ensure every voice had a place in shaping Spearfish’s future. More than 150 residents participated in an in-person visioning open house, an online mapping survey drew hundreds of responses, and over ten focus group discussions provided insights from businesses, organizations, and neighborhoods. The team also worked directly with tribal representatives to build stronger regional partnerships and honor Indigenous perspectives connected to the land.

Regional Collaboration

Recognizing that land use and growth extend beyond municipal boundaries, SE Group facilitated a joint workshop between the City of Spearfish and Lawrence County as part of the planning process. This collaborative effort aligned the City’s new Comprehensive Plan with the County’s Future Land Use Map, creating a cohesive strategy for the 1- and 3-mile planning areas surrounding Spearfish. Together, both entities committed to reducing residential and commercial sprawl, protecting agricultural lands, and strengthening rural character.