Council sets second reading for 4.37-acre rezoning near 6 Mile Road; councilor urges traffic study

The Sioux Falls City Council on March 18 set a second reading for an ordinance to rezone roughly 4.37 acres at the northwest corner of East 20 Sixth Street and South 6 Mile Road to RA1, an apartment-residential low-density district.

Jason Bieber, representing Planning and Development Services, told the council the property is about 4.37 acres and that the application is from Signature Companies LLC to permit a low-density multifamily residential development. Bieber said the planning commission recommended approval 5–0.

Councilor Branco said he supported the rezoning but pressed staff on traffic safety at the nearby intersection of South 6 Mile Road and East 26th Street, citing existing congestion and construction at the Arrowhead area. “I think it's absolutely critically important that the traffic flow at that corner be studied and we come up with an intelligent way to make sure our travelers are safe,” Branco said. Bieber said he would relay that request to traffic engineering.

The council voted 7–0 to set the ordinance for a second reading on April 1. No final zoning ordinance was adopted; the action on March 18 scheduled the formal second-reading vote.

The planning staff summary for the item listed Signature Companies LLC as the private applicant and said the proposed rezoning would amend the official zoning map. The council’s action advances the item to the next scheduled meeting for final consideration.

A traffic study request from council will be handled through traffic engineering as the proposal advances toward final reading and potential permitting.