Sioux Falls planning commission approves larger billboard at 4301 West 12th Street

The Sioux Falls Planning Commission on March 5 approved a conditional use permit allowing a new off-premise billboard up to 450 square feet at 4301 West 12th Street, on the southeast corner of West 12th Street and Interstate 29. Commissioner Isis moved to approve the permit with staff conditions; Commissioner Fisher seconded and the motion passed.

Planning staff recommended approval for the permit filed by Stuart Stein of Stein Sign Display, who requested a 448.4-square-foot sign. Staff recommended a slightly higher administrative maximum of 450 square feet and that the sign’s orientation match the submitted site plan. Jason Bieber of Planning and Development Services told the commission the site lies within the city’s billboard opportunity district, and staff supported the 448.4-square-foot request because “the majority of it will face 29.”

The recommendation balanced existing local standards — the city ordinance generally limits off-premise signs to 288 square feet — with the site’s location adjacent to Interstate 29, where larger signs previously have been allowed on faster corridors. Bieber told the commission that staff typically supports larger signs on high-speed corridors and smaller signs on lower-speed corridors such as West 12th Street: “When you’re going 70 on the interstate, you need a little bit bigger to be able to read it.” Staff also noted that off-premise signs must be separated from other off-premise signs by 600 feet under current rules.

Applicant Stuart Stein described Stein Sign Display as a third-generation sign company and said he ‘‘appreciate[d] the staff being willing to consider the 450’’-square-foot limit. Stein said the company has done a handful of projects in Sioux Falls, is hiring locally and expects to open at the site in about 45 days. Stein also noted a related wholesale business, Esco Manufacturing, that ships signs nationally.

Commission discussion focused on compatibility with nearby signs and whether public works or traffic engineering had outstanding concerns. Bieber said staff routed the application to public works but had not received comments back before the hearing, and that if additional right-of-way dedication were required it would be addressed at the time of platting. The applicant recently platted the property, staff said.

Votes at a glance - CU0207622025 (4301 West 12th Street): Approved. Motion by Commissioner Isis; second by Commissioner Fisher. Conditions: maximum area 450 square feet; orientation per submitted site plan. (Staff recommended approval.) - CU0200292024 (2000 North Career Avenue): Withdrawn by applicant prior to consideration.

The commission’s action on the conditional use permit is final at the Planning Commission level but may be appealed to the Sioux Falls City Council in writing within five business days, per the procedures read at the start of the meeting.