During planning preview, the Planning Department revealed that Celebrate Church will be moving forward with plans to expand on the former school for the deaf property.
It will be interesting to see the terms of the lease and agreement.
What do we always hear from the SFPC? We have to follow rules, and if the project matches the zoning, we HAVE TO approve it.
I have often argued they do NOT have to. Last Wednesday night they denied a casino on Minnesota Ave. 3-2 vote that was zoned properly for the usage. (Watch Meeting REPLAY, Item#6)
Don’t get me wrong, I agreed with their decision and was surprised it didn’t fail 5-0. Though the zoning fit, the casino was next to a bank and a children’s dance studio, not a good place for alcohol and gambling in my humble opinion.
But what I find hypocritical about the SFPC is they often tell neighbors they HAVE to approve projects because it meets standards. The casino met the zoning standards, but as the neighbors pointed out, bad location.
Let’s face it, when they approve applicants and use the excuse they HAVE to approve something, all they are really saying is, “The developer has more money and influence than God and we really don’t care how it affects you.”
It’s easy to deny a middle class immigrant applicant (which they do quite often) but when Sanford or another large developer steps up to the podium all of sudden the neighbors be damned.
The SFPC did the right thing on Wednesday night by denying this applicant, they need to do it more often, no matter what they say, they DO have the right to deny ANY applicant, even the ones with fat wallets.
The SFCC will meet again on a Monday instead of Tuesday next week.
City Council Informational Meeting • 4 PM • 11/5/2018
Lots of interesting presentations without any SIRE docs or attachments at the present time. I guess they want it to feel like Christmas morning Monday afternoon.
Presentations include;
• Update on Cascade Project (who cares)
• Levitt Shell update
• Population projections (this should be good, wonder if they will bring back ol’ bowl cut to inflate them?)
• Legislative priorities (what kind of anti-citizen legislative have they cooked up this time?)
City Council Regular Meeting • 7 PM • 11/5/2018
Some more Siouxper Hero awards.
Planning Academy Graduates (wonder if they will all get a Sanford or Lloyd shirt?)
Item#1, Approval of contracts;
Apparently it costs $32K to fill a couple holes at the Pavilion. Could have given me $500 and a few sheets of sub flooring and call it good. Oh and BTW, the $32K is for ‘design and engineering’ of filling the holes. It will cost more to do that.
Items #25-26, 2nd Reading. Both controversial zoning items in which the neighbors oppose. Both have apparent drainage issues, and one they want the building turned around. I expect a lot of testimony on these and probably some yipping back and forth between councilors on allowing enough public input. As I have said, they could solve all of this by making it unlimited as long as they are NOT repeating themselves, saying what others have said or being offensive. Works for the MCC. I think both will pass, but I do expect some votes of dissent on them. So I guess Mickelson will get his apartment building, but probably not his tobacco tax.
Item #34, 1st Reading, Woot! Woot! An extra million left over for streets!
Item #35, 1st Reading, There the SFCC goes again, taking care of the important business, gas fire pits Downtown!
Items #36-37, 1st Readings, more naming rights to the indoor pool. Ironically one is sponsoring greasy pizza, the other healthcare. LOL. Maybe the place will eventually break even.
Item #40, Resolution, Union Agreement with the SF Firefighters. (Summary Report: Summary-union-agree)
I found it interesting that if a FF performs ALS they get an extra $1 an hour;
While I don’t have an issue with that, I find it interesting that we don’t just pursue a public ambulance service where the taxpayers of SF would get some kind of reimbursement instead consistently subsidizing a private ambulance company. If we are showing up FIRST and provide life saving care, we might as well just haul the patient to the hospital. It’s insane that we are now subsidizing a private company because we can’t depend on them to show up in time.
SF Planning Commission • 6 PM • WED 11/7/2018
There is only one item that planning staff made NO recommendation, a Casino next to Wells Fargo on 26th & Minnesota (Item#6) it may have something to do with the plans being written on a bar napkin?
I’ve noticed that Stormland-TV has been trying to get a comment from Smithfield about their expansion and have had little luck. So with the help of Councilor Theresa Stehly and Council Operations Manager, Jim David I had them direct some of my questions to the Planning Department. Here was there response;
I have looked into your request below and have the following information;
Thanks again for your inquiry. Smithfield met all the requirements of our ordinances; therefore, we were able to issue them a building permit. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to email or call. Thanks.
Jason Bieber
Urban Planner, City of Sioux Falls
FF: 1:57:40, as councilor Stehly introduces video of the drainage issues around Item #34;
The neighbors of this potential project have asked that a serious drainage study be done before approval and that the building face the opposite direction. It has all fell on deaf ears so far. This was the 1st reading last night, 2nd reading will have final action.
While I feel for these people, I just don’t see 5 councilors voting against a project headed up Mark Mickelson, Former Head Dude in the House of Lords in Pierre and CAFO King. Peasants be damned!
l3wis