Tea City approves conditional use permit

The Tea City Council met Aug. 18 and approved a conditional use permit.

The council met as the board of adjustment and held a public hearing for a conditional use permit for a contractor shop with outside storage at 2120 E. Market St. Cresten Capital applied for the permit. Community development director Albert Schmidt noted this was a reapplication that contained many changes from the first time.

Schmidt noted the site had not changed much, but the new plan shifts the building to the west and has decreased in size. The storage yard area will be hard surfaced and the business will put up a vinyl fence. It leaves an area for future retail. The council approved the CUP with recommendations like no metal siding along the east face of the building, an unpermitted billboard is removed and a sidewalk will be installed along the right-of-way.

They also approved a variance for the city to build a maintenance shop that is about 9,600 square feet on the south end of the property. Trees will be added along the east and west sides of the property.

The council approved the replat of lots 4A-4B and 5, block 4, Bakker Landing First Addition as well as the anniversary step pay increases for Marcus Van Lingen to $35.95, Tracy Grey to $32.56 and Avery Fenne to $32.56.

They approved resolution 25-08-05, a resolution establishing jurisdictional and growth area boundary lines between the city of Tea and the city of Sioux Falls and resolution 25-08-06, a resolution establishing jurisdictional and growth area boundary lines between the city of Tea and the city of Harrisburg. City administrator Justin Weiland said the three cities along with Lincoln County officials have been meeting to discuss the jurisdictional boundaries for each entity.

The council also approved resolution 25-08-07, a resolution consenting to a transfer of control of franchise. Weiland said this was a necessary resolution for Bluepeak because they are splitting off into two subsidiaries and they needed the resolution for their FCC approval.

Weiland presented information on the Hagedorn Industrial Park and 271st Street special assessment roll and the need for a public hearing. He noted this is long overdue since the annexation was completed in 2023. He said they need to get it done by Oct. 1. The council decided they will hold a public hearing at their Sept. 22 meeting.

A representative from Sioux Falls Public Works Department talked to the council about the 85th Street interchange project and finances for the project. To date, the property owner group has spent their $4 million they pledged for the project, right of way acquisition cost $4.8 million, they relocated three private utilities for $1.1 million, wetland mitigation cost $1.5 million and the city of Sioux Falls has purchased seven of eight billboards for a total cost of around $600,000.  

She said they have $30 million in Congressional directed spending funds, $15 bank loan with Lincoln County and South Dakota Department of Transportation, $1 million from the city of Tea, $7 million to $10 million from the city of Sioux Falls transportation block grant funds. They plan to have the bid letting date set for Oct. 15 with construction in 2026-27. No action was taken.

Schmidt presented information on fencing in the city during his zoning ordinance review. He noted that fence placement is about safety for pedestrians, bicycle riders and other animals and people that may need visibility to see cars backing out of driveways. He presented the council with different options of where to place the fence and how high a fence could be. His presentation was informational at this time and no action was taken.

Weiland noted they had 12 people come to the comprehensive plan open house last week. 

One citizen comment in public comment that he was concerned about extra grass he has to mow that is city property. Mayor Casey Voelker said they would take a look at the maps.

The council adjourned at 7:02 p.m.