Lincoln County and Sioux Falls planning commissions approve conditional-use permit for 450‑square‑foot billboard near I‑29

Lincoln County and City of Sioux Falls planning commissioners approved a conditional‑use permit for a one‑sided digital billboard up to 450 square feet on property just southwest of the Sioux Falls corporate limits near the I‑29 and County Highway 106 interchange.

County planning staff explained the application and the commission’s recommendation. “The applicant is proposing a 448.4, square foot sign, to be located on the property,” said Toby Brown, representing county planning, who noted staff increased the allowed maximum to 450 square feet and recommended approval with seven conditions. Brown said the site is zoned C (commercial), sits about 2,500 feet southwest of Sioux Falls’ corporate limits, and borders South Dakota Department of Transportation right‑of‑way to the west.

The staff report and applicant testimony described the sign as a single‑sided digital display that the applicant intends to convert to double‑sided only if the property is later annexed into the City of Sioux Falls or the City of Harrisburg. “It’s just in a pending status,” said Stuart Stein of SteinSign Display, referring to the Federal Aviation Administration review the applicant is awaiting. Stein told commissioners he has consulted with SDDOT and expects FAA approval but had not yet received it.

Commissioners and staff discussed jurisdictional issues tied to future right‑of‑way acquisitions for a planned Veterans Parkway in the area and the need to ensure the sign is located outside DOT right‑of‑way. Brown said state and Sioux Falls staff had reviewed the application and that the county added a seventh condition to require final sign staking and location approval by SDDOT and Sioux Falls engineering prior to building permit issuance.

On the county side, Commissioner John Green made the motion to approve the conditional‑use permit with the seven conditions; Commissioner Todd Boots seconded. The motion carried on a roll call vote with county commissioners recording yes votes and the City of Sioux Falls commissioners also approving the application. The commissions recorded unanimous affirmative votes by the members present.

The permit includes standard staff conditions (listed in the staff report) and the specific pre‑construction condition that final sign location be approved by SDDOT and Sioux Falls Engineering. Commissioners noted the unusual multi‑jurisdictional coordination and support from SDDOT staff during review. The applicant confirmed willingness to comply with the seventh condition.

The FAA review for height clearance remained pending at the time of the vote. Brown and the applicant said FAA approval is the only outstanding external approval identified during the meeting. The applicant indicated a proposed height of about 40 feet and that the sign manufacturer would be Daktronics; commissioners did not alter the height as part of the action.

Votes at a glance: Conditional‑use permit to install a one‑sided digital billboard (approved 450 sq ft maximum) — Motion to approve with seven conditions carried unanimously by the county and city commissioners present. The permit is subject to SDDOT and Sioux Falls Engineering final approval of the sign location and pending FAA clearance for height.