There was some interesting things that came out of Angela’s story;

The City’s own definition of a junkyard: includes any land used for the “storage, wrecking, dismantling, salvage, collection, processing, purchase, sale or exchange of abandoned and discarded vehicles.”


Junkyard Definition according to Sioux Falls City Ordinance:      

JUNKYARD: Any lot, land, parcel, or portion thereof used for the storage, wrecking, dismantling, salvage, collection, processing, purchase, sale, or exchange of abandoned or discarded vehicles, goods, waste, and scrap materials including but not limited to two or more abandoned or inoperable motor vehicles, glass, tires, appliances, machinery or automotive and mechanical parts. A JUNKYARD does not include operations entirely enclosed within buildings.

If it walks like a duck . . .

However in 2012, Circuit Court Judge Stuart Tiede ruled that IAA did operate as a junkyard when the owner wanted to add a location near Crooks. Tiede overturned a Minnehaha County Commission decision to allow a permit for the operation as something “other” than a junkyard.

Tiede wrote in his decision: “The wrecking or dismantling of motor vehicles is not required in order for the use to a salvage or junk yard.”

Imagine that, another judge disagreeing with local government.

Angela Kennecke: Is the City taking regular inventory reports?
Tobias: No, At this point in time we’re not and what I can say from our perspective is that there are no violations on site at this time.

Uh, wrong answer. If you are NOT taking inventory how do you know there isn’t any violations? Funny how code enforcement in this city, using snow gates and planning and zoning depends on who you are NOT what you are. It’s a poor neighborhood so who cares about the rats and junk. Maybe they can put up another Bishop Dudley House up there.

7 Thoughts on “Why is the City of Sioux Falls Code Enforcement ignoring obvious Junkyard?

  1. That area of town could use a good pizza parlor too:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPXUG8q4jKU

  2. scott on April 12, 2018 at 8:17 pm said:

    maybe legacy is an investor.

  3. l3wis on April 12, 2018 at 8:18 pm said:

    No way silly. We all know they are only good at creating junk not maintaining it (or removing it properly).

  4. Here’s a fun little story about that neighborhood. Recently, I had driven through that area with my wife looking for a house up there that was selling for $ 38,000. Yep, $ 38,000 and I just wanted to see first hand what a house and its lot really looked like for $ 38,000 in that neighborhood in our town.

    Then, low and behold down the street from that “$ 38,000 fixer-upper” was an other house where that owner was residing his house and the original exterior finish of that house was exposed. And guess what, that house was originally a log cabin. Yes, a log cabin in Sioux Falls still being utilized, that’s cool. I believe the prior siding was probably placed on it after the Indian uprisings of the 1860s thanks to a federal program started by the Lincoln Administration to update neighborhoods (JK)….. But just imagine that, a log cabin home in SF. Perhaps, it is the future birthplace of an American President…. So they better clean up that area of town, because before you know it, it might be the area of a new National Historic Site….Rats and all…. 😉

  5. anominous on April 13, 2018 at 8:01 am said:

    Looks like Angela finally found TenHaken’s rat for him. If she wants to be really brave have her check out the giant spiders crawlin’ around up there at Barney’s.

  6. D@ily Spin on April 13, 2018 at 9:21 am said:

    It’s so easy to just ignore city ordinances. Their judicial process can be readily manipulated. They will not sue for violations in Circuit Court. Instead, they recruit neighbors and start a riot. This part of the city is slum lords. Renters could care less so nothing happens.

  7. My Mistake Mike on April 13, 2018 at 9:28 am said:

    You want to curb junk and eyesores? Place a moratorium on more used car lots. The corner of North Main & Russell/North Drive – just one example – is overrun and disgusting. Clear violations everywhere.

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