Informational Meeting

MINUTES Informational Meeting Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at 4:00 PM Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 1. Call To Order Council Members Present: Janet Brekke (Via telecom), Christine M. Erickson (Via telecom), Alex Jensen, Rick Kiley (Via telecom), Greg Neitzert, Marshall Selberg (Via telecom), Curt Soehl, Pat Starr Council Members Absent: None Council Chair Greg Neitzert called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. 2. Councilor Remarks There was none. 3. Presentations A. Update on Downtown Development by Jeff Eckhoff, Director of Planning and Development Services; and Dustin Powers, Community Development Coordinator Presentation: Approximately 25 minutes followed by discussion Eckhoff introduced the presentation by providing perspectives on Downtown development, explaining that the primary goals are to ensure density, walkability, and connectivity. He explained there is a good deal of history behind downtown development and over the years it has been transformed into a workforce development tool. Powers provided the remainder of the presentation by first defining Downtown geographically and demographically and then by reviewing the history of development over the past 20 years. He highlighted Downtown today by showing that development has reinforced the concepts of density, walkability, and connectivity, although there is still more to do. As a result, the 2025 Downtown Plan builds upon more than 20 years of careful planning and policies that have guided the evolution of downtown Sioux Falls. The previous Downtown Plan was completed in 2002 and established a 2015 vision for downtown. The 2015 Downtown Plan introduced a variety of forward-thinking concepts including connecting to the Big Sioux River and Falls Park, strengthening arts, culture, and entertainment, and promoting job growth and economic development within the central business district (CBD). Since 2002, there has been significant progress to implement many of the Downtown Plan ideas, including: Phillips to the Falls; expansion of Sculpture Walk; and removal of the River Ramp. The 2025 Downtown Plan has also promoted a number of ideas that include: expansion of Falls Park West; future phases of the River Greenway; the Main Avenue Road Diet; the Mixed Use Parking Ramp; and, Railyard Redevelopment. Investment in Downtown has  been through the Capital Improvement Plan, Public Parking System, Park improvements/River Greenway, façade easements, the Business Improvement District, and cultural investments. Through Tax Increment Financing, there have been $45M in project costs with an over-$400M private investment. Property valuation increased over ten times the base value. Future opportunities include the sale and development of two surface parking lots and other land owned by the City. Discussion followed about: when surface parking lots are surplused; justification for surplusing surface parking lots; the validity of the Walker Study; potential restrictions on surplused parking lot development; the role of the public parking advisory board; and density, walkability, and connectivity. B. Land Use Ordinance Updates by Jason Bieber, Senior Planner; and Adam Roach, Urban Planner Presentation: Approximately 25 minutes followed by discussion Roach explained that land use changes stem from stakeholder feedback, internal staff recommendations based on experiences in the field, and best practices. General housekeeping changes are proposed for sections: 110.028 (Licenses Issued); 155.032 (Application for Permit); 160.021 (Manufactured Residential Housing); 160.316 (RE6 Pedestrian Access Regulations); 160.572 (Allowed and Unauthorized Sign Types in Each District); 160.670 (Public Notice); and 160.404 (UT2 Bulk Regulations.) Other proposed changes include adding "Sign, Adhesive Wall Banner," to 160.005 (Sign Definitions); 160.164 (AD4 Bulk Regulations); 160.222 (BCF1 Principle Uses); 160.485 (Landscape Standards); 160.488 (Buffer Yards); 160.517 (Intersection Safety Zone); 160.555 (Parking, Loading, and Stacking Requirements); 160.551 (Off-Street Parking Requirements); and, 160.576 (Sign Exemptions). Next steps include reviews by the City Attorney's Office and the Planning Commission, followed by City Council consideration. Discussion followed about: bulk regulations, tree requirements; encouraging boulevard trees; and, parking standards. 4. Public Comment There was none. 5. Adjournment Council Chair Greg Neitzert adjourned the meeting at 5:04 p.m. Thomas M. Greco, City Clerk