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Commission approves temporary fireworks sales near Lennox with annual review
Summary
The Planning Commission approved a nine-day temporary fireworks sales conditional use permit on a 2-acre A-1 parcel east of Lennox but added a condition for an annual review after the city of Lennox registered safety and planning concerns; the vote was unanimous.
The Lincoln County Planning Commission voted May 12 to approve a conditional use permit allowing temporary fireworks sales on a roughly 2-acre A-1 parcel about 1,000 feet east of the city of Lennox, with an added condition that the county review the operation after one year.
County planner Toby Brower explained that fireworks sales are permitted as a temporary use in the A-1 district for a nine-day period, and that state law requires a South Dakota Public Safety permit and safety signage (for example, prohibiting smoking near the premises and prohibiting discharge within a set distance). "From a zoning perspective, this is allowed as a conditional use permit," Brower said, and staff recommended approval with seven conditions listed in the staff analysis.
Applicant Andy Jordanson told the commission the request was primarily to serve residents this year because the city had ongoing construction, noting the operator’s prior year at the county 4-H grounds and cooperation with neighboring Prosper Events. "We're not really trying to park here forever," Jordanson said, asking for permission for the nine-day period.
The commission also read a May 12 letter from Lennox City Administrator Nathan Vandenlat opposing the permit. The letter said the nearest publicly available fire hydrant is more than 1,000 feet from the site and urged conditions if a permit were granted, including no smoking within 300 feet and prohibiting the discharge of fireworks within 300 feet. Commissioners debated imposing Lennox’s requested conditions and the legal limits of imposing setbacks beyond state statutes. Staff cautioned that extending county rules beyond state setback standards could create legal issues for adjacent property owners.
Commissioner Scott moved to approve the CUP and separately moved to add a condition requiring review after one year; the amendment and the final, amended motion both passed on roll-call votes with Commissioners Moser, Sweeter, Boots, Scott and Jungling voting yes.
Next steps: the permit is approved subject to the conditions as amended; county staff will track fulfillment of the conditions and the commission will review the stand next year per the added condition.
