[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6069352,"mediaKeyId","3068816-0c1a012a0d00da26ef0fef806b21e9ee","parentId",3068816,"title","Planning Commission discusses 'placemaking' and a Main Street strategy for downtown","audioSeconds",1923,"startMs",913000,"endMs",2836000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3068816-0c1a012a0d00da26ef0fef806b21e9ee&start=913&end=2836","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3068816-0c1a012a0d00da26ef0fef806b21e9ee/thumbnail_913000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6069352/Lennox/Lincoln-County/South-Dakota/Planning-Commission-discusses-placemaking-and-a-Main-Street-strategy-for-downtown","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6069352-ff2bf873b1eefc29d5723e561d0a324f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144139&Signature=A~8~Qn8LxaNZDPH7X9thd2XP84DWXNi9-feTTffN~VzcHtQotaL6nySg2~GRMKdC8KlRcDAsBq6OwIHDTpeg1mQiKIEeDgeep8TNVkZvdt6jwBwlVLKAM02kI636W40fg2bQwY28H0zuLOxJ85i6ykYkrX8iIR6o8Al0VI2RRruEbWisN2AQ-W6Dsid9fP54EQCn6A1Zjz0V3Z9y6450ksQYw-lpX2~UVf7sR29qix44FImaLKIKauX092b0rRx9yizpPMyfGU-kub-by~SCOvSmwuRLbHDK9yv~wjnkFio9TxwyphmW3F1AKWOjDUeVWU7u8d7Wcy5XyqkR9JPyEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lennox","date","2025-02-27T00:00:00Z","article","The Planning Commission held an extended discussion about revitalizing downtown and methods to stimulate occupancy and activity on Main Street, focusing on placemaking strategies, clearer permitted-use language, and owner outreach.

Commissioners asked staff for direction and materials to guide future action. A staff member introduced placemaking concepts and handed commissioners an article and materials about Main Street activation, saying placemaking involves “using public spaces to create vital, vibrant, and livable communities.” Commissioners debated whether the commission's role should be enforcement or facilitation and whether outreach and incentives would be more effective than adding new regulations.

Several commissioners emphasized focusing on the Central Business District (three or so blocks identified as core downtown) and drawing a clear boundary for ‘Main Street’ to target education and incentives. Commissioners discussed tools used by other cities, mentioning Sioux Falls’ vacancy enforcement as an example of a stronger vacancy control, but questioned enforceability and legal defensibility. One commissioner said, “If we don't do something, we have to try something,” arguing for intentional efforts to shape the downtown’s character.

Participants suggested a mix of approaches: encourage the Local Area Development Council (LADC) to lead outreach and business-networking events, pursue education for property owners about permitted uses, and review zoning text to update permitted and conditional uses so desirable modern businesses are explicitly allowed. Planning staff agreed to prepare a presentation explaining what each zone allows and recommended letting administrative staff or the LADC do one-on-one outreach rather than the Planning Commission conducting direct property-owner visits because the commission is a quasi-judicial body.

The commission also discussed practical measures: creating an informational guide for property owners, holding regular follow-up meetings with downtown stakeholders, and exploring incubator or multi-tenant spaces that lower the startup cost for new retail or food-service businesses. The LADC is starting a business-networking initiative, and commissioners said coordinating with that effort could provide a structure for monthly outreach. No formal votes were taken on policy changes; commissioners directed staff to prepare educational materials and a zoning-permitted-uses briefing at a future meeting.

Kyle, the building-report presenter, reported eight permits so far this year (six miscellaneous, two twin-home permits) and listed recent code-enforcement complaints logged between Jan. 22 and Feb. 21 (one exterior building-condition violation, one parking-on-grass, one unsightly-trash-and-junk, and one notable-vehicle complaint).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lennox Planning Commission 2.27.2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Planning Commission discussed a multi-pronged approach to revitalize the downtown: focus on the Central Business District, define a Main Street boundary, pursue property-owner outreach and education, coordinate with the Local Area Development Council (LADC), and consider incentives or incubator space to attract businesses.","taxTitle","Lennox, Lincoln County, South Dakota","taxId",75768,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6069357,"Board of Adjustment denies variance request for 608 South Main Street",387,239000,626000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3068816-0c1a012a0d00da26ef0fef806b21e9ee&start=239&end=626","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3068816-0c1a012a0d00da26ef0fef806b21e9ee/thumbnail_239000.jpg","/articles/6069357/Lennox/Lincoln-County/South-Dakota/Board-of-Adjustment-denies-variance-request-for-608-South-Main-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6069357-c73ea7a94b9d5b2ac455d650797c961f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144139&Signature=e8BBrOedW7MpkCE0vWv8entM5WJLz8V2Xvp~Jtj1~41W41rdM2QzyQw7i4pzWkBxHF70sdPBZ0269OOZLxRd1ovqzJgsjYiME4QVPmAdrLOoAnYZ90lygrcKoG56oEGYzCP0e~AkewrfxDo697dB3n5seSUZiDKorCYpHRjyQ0DTOszwQooUBv3ZcS7vQtG7kMrdKQ-nnkKYjzOU8hsEDL9QfDonlJb-rvqN-OyIMcYqpIjkZtGLRzqY0xPhC7O5RRlihVdTqD61g4UcCgFB-5fBf-qOlrkxVidhPmtKBHvOmDv1fdwotav~dvvm6bdU4cxr0pBdfEo6ju-us8a-zA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Adjustment voted to deny a variance application for 608 South Main Street after planning staff told members the proposal would change the property's permitted use and the applicant had not established a required hardship.

Planning staff summarized the application as seeking to use the property for manufacturing beehive boxes with a CNC router, retail sales of finished boxes (and possible future honey sales), exterior storage of the boxes, and vehicle-and-trailer storage for rented parking space. Planning staff told the board those activities are “not permitted in the business zone” and recommended denial. “No such variance can be permitted under the city's zoning ordinances,” the planning staff member said, citing the city code provision that variances cannot change use regulations.

The staff memo referenced Chapter 9 for the general-business zone description and Chapter 18.02(B) for the board of adjustment's authority. Staff highlighted that an applicant must show an unnecessary hardship that is not financial or self-imposed and said no extraordinary circumstances had been demonstrated. Staff also described the construction and storage aspects as light manufacturing and vehicle storage, which the memo said are incompatible with the General Business district.

During public comment and discussion, the applicant (identified in the hearing as Mitch) challenged the process and raised selective-enforcement concerns, accusing other property owners of similar uses. Mitch said he would consider legal action if the variance were denied, stating, “I can file legal challenge against this,” and later, “I will seek sworn statements from whoever wants to make [one].” Planning staff and commissioners urged limiting further discussion to the motion and formal action.

A commissioner moved to deny the variance; another commissioner seconded. The board called the question, the vote was taken by voice (“Aye”), and the motion carried. The transcript does not record a roll-call tally or list of individual votes.

The board clarified that the denial applies to the proposed exterior storage and light-industrial uses described in the application and does not affect other lawful business uses at the address that conform to the zoning district. One business owner in the audience asked whether the decision required them to vacate the property; a commissioner replied that the action addressed the variance for the described uses at 608 South Main Street and did not direct removal of unrelated lawful operations.

The Board of Adjustment adjourned and the meeting moved to the Planning Commission agenda.","The Board of Adjustment voted to deny a variance request for 608 South Main Street after planning staff concluded the proposal sought uses not permitted in the property's General Business zoning and the applicant did not demonstrate legal hardship.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning Commission discusses 'placemaking' and a Main Street strategy for downtown

Board of Adjustment denies variance request for 608 South Main Street