Sioux Falls council: votes at a glance — licenses, rezonings, exhibition-driving ordinance set for second reading, TIF dissolved

The Sioux Falls City Council on March 4 approved a series of consent and regular-agenda items, including business licenses, two rezoning ordinances and a resolution dissolving a downtown tax-increment financing (TIF) district. The council also introduced an amendment to city code to permit restricted exhibition-driving events on private property and set a second reading for March 11.

Key votes and outcomes

- Consent and regular agenda approvals: The council approved the consent agenda and the regular agenda by recorded roll calls; both motions passed 8-0.

- Licenses (Items 102–106): The council approved new retail beverage and wine licenses and a special one-day license. The City Attorney’s licensing staff reported the applications met legal requirements. Motion: Councilor Thomason moved, Councilor Sale seconded. Vote: 8-0.

- Rezoning — Item 108 (I-1 Light Industrial to I-2 Heavy Industrial): Approved on second reading. The site is south of East 60th Street North between North Benson Avenue and I-229, approximately 50 acres for future heavy industrial use. Planning recommended approval 7-0. Motion: Councilor Bacy moved, Councilor Spellerberg seconded. Vote: 8-0.

- Rezoning — Item 109 (various residential districts to CN Conservation): Approved on second reading. The city-sponsored rezoning at 30th and Veterans Parkway will convert roughly 8 acres to a conservation district for a public stormwater drainage area. Motion: Councilor Branco moved, Councilor Bacy seconded. Vote: 8-0.

- Exhibition-driving ordinance (Item 110): Councilors introduced an amendment to chapters of the municipal code to allow restricted exhibition-driving events (e.g., organized autocross or closed-course motorcycle demonstrations) on private off-road lots under a permit process administered by police; the council set a second reading for March 11, 2025. Sponsors: Councilors Spellerberg and Ciel. The police traffic supervisor and representatives of local car clubs briefed the council on safety protocols used for sanctioned events.

- TIF district dissolution (Item 111): The council adopted a resolution dissolving Tax Increment Financing District No. 12 in downtown Sioux Falls. Staff said the district, created in 2011 to support rehabilitation and street improvements, had met its project obligations and achieved payback earlier than originally projected—about 13 years instead of the full 20-year projection. Motion: Councilor Cole moved, seconded by Councilor Barranco. Vote: 8-0.

- Appointments (Item 112) and other routine items: The council gave consent to an appointment to the Electrical Board of Appeals and Examiners (Barrett Wood) and approved a notice of transfer of appropriations. Motions passed by voice/roll call where recorded.

What city staff said: Planning staff (Kristen Bennett) described the rezoning properties and the rationale for the conservation district; Dustin Powers summarized the TIF dissolution; Sergeant Travis Olson (Traffic Section Supervisor) explained the public-safety rationale for creating a permit process that allows sanctioned private exhibition-driving events with safety inspections and course controls.

Why it matters: The rezoning votes clear the way for industrial development and for a public stormwater facility; the TIF dissolution returns tax increment revenue to taxing entities following project completion. The exhibition-driving ordinance creates a process for sanctioned vehicle-sport events on private properties where public streets would otherwise be used unsafely.

Next steps: The exhibition-driving ordinance was scheduled for second reading and adoption consideration on March 11, 2025. Staff will execute administrative steps for approvals, and Planning/Police will implement permit procedures and monitoring as required by the amended code.