City approves variances

The Tea City Council met June 1 and held two public hearings for variances.

Community development director Albert Schmidt provided information on a variance to reduce front yard setback from 20 feet to 5 feet along W. Ivy Road for parking pad and shed at 2300 N. Carson Circle. The lot is a curvy corner lot. The council approved the variance with the stipulation that they cannot add onto the house.

The second variance was for the sign area and height for Kwik Star at 1940 E. Commerce St. Schmidt said the sign ordinance says a sign can only be 18 feet high. Kwik Star’s request was for 104 feet based on the FAA’s absolute maximum height due to the proximity to the airport. He noted that Casey’s sign is 100 feet tall. The council approved the height variance and a conditional use permit for their sign that’s more than 150 square feet.

The council approved the second readings and adoptions of the street naming and addressing amendment, 2024 IBC with local amendments, 2024 IEBC with local amendments, 2024 IMC & IFGC with local amendments, 2024 IPMC with local amendments, 2024 IRC with local amendments and section 161 subdivision ordinance effective Aug. 1.

City administrator Justin Weiland provided a proposal for playground equipment in Pinnacle Park. The city has a matching grant of $100,000 for this project. He presented a bid for $204,117.43 with the base material being wood chips. 

The council discussed the possibility of poured in place surfacing but that would increase the budget significantly. Councilwoman Ruby Zuraff talked about an adaptive play equipment but that would need the poured in place surface. She also suggested looking into adding a different piece of equipment.

The council will revisit the playground equipment discussion at the June 15 meeting.

They approved the temporary alcohol retail on-sale license for Squealer’s Smoke Shack at Tea Athletic Park for a concessions stand and parking lot on June 19-20, temporary alcohol retail on-sale liquor license for city of Tea in Tea City Park on June 19-20 and fireworks display permit for Mike Denning for June 6 Emily’s Hope event at Tea Athletic Park and June 20 Teapot Days at the city park.

Sioux Metro Growth Alliance president and CEO Tyler Tordsen presented an update on the Tea Chamber for Development review. He noted they are in good standing with the Secretary of State and they are working on getting their 501c4 status. The chamber board was meeting this week to vote on their bylaws that would potentially add some non-voting ex-officio members and establish a chamber committee and an economic development committee. 

In his report, Schmidt asked for direction on pursuing Aberdeen’s sidewalk linking ordinance to adapt it for Tea. The council advised him to proceed. 

Councilmen Lynn DeYoung and Jim Erck expressed their frustration with grass not being mowed, particularly in commercial areas along sidewalks. 

In Weiland’s report, he noted they were hosting a bike safety pit stop on Tuesday put on by the fire department and police department. He said the Tea/Harrisburg exit on I-29 bridge project is being pushed back to 2030. Sioux Falls is looking at improving the wastewater line that runs along I-29.

The council went into executive session at 7:38 p.m.