More proposed handouts DTSF to those who really don’t need it

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Look who is belly up to the trough again looking for tax payer funded incentives;

BOARD OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Promoting the use and conservation of historic properties for the education, inspiration, pleasure and enrichment of the citizens of Sioux Falls

Draft, Meeting Minutes for the meeting held on April 9, 2014

Fa̤ade Easement application РYMCA building

Erica Beck (Lloyd Companies) and Katie Krantz explained the YMCA Housing Initiative Limited Partnership project façade easement application in detail. Since it is a corner lot situation, the easement application is requesting funds for two street facing sides of the building. The amount requested is $125,000.  This item was informational only.

FYI:  That would be $125,000 out of a total budget of $200,000 for 2014. So I guess TIF’s are NOT enough for the Lloyd Companies, they must also chip away at façade money, and take over 60% of the budget for one project. I guess others seeking façade money will have to fight over the crumbs and scraps.

Then there is the mysterious DTSF ‘Incubator’ program;

The pilot program has access to $100,000 as part of a former development incentive fund that it will use to award applicants until the funds are gone.

And just exactly where did this ‘fund’ come from? Community Development? Federal Funds? City funds? Property taxes? Private dollars? While I don’t have a problem with the incubator program, it would sure be nice if someone from DTSF would explain the details of the funding.

Comments to land annexation hearing further proof that some SF voters are extremely misinformed, and kind of stupid

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The story about the land annexation SD Supreme Court hearing today in Pierre gathered some interesting FB comments. They mostly speak for themselves, but it seems most don’t even know that this hearing has been pending months before the city election, of course, these people think that when you appeal to the SC they will hear your arguments in a couple of weeks? LOL, sometimes it takes a year. Also, they don’t realize that this is the 3rd time the zoning has been attempted to be changed on the neighbors. This is a property rights issue that could happen in ANY neighborhood in this city. Ask Whittier how the city rolls. This could happen to you next. Are you willing to fight?

“unreal how these morons can waste time and money and the courts time, perhaps we the people can sue them for prohibiting our future”

Yes, because, NOT having a 4th Walmart in Sioux Falls, would ruin our future.

“They wanted the public to vote on it, so it was voted on. People determined that they wanted the Walmart by a large margin. Thanks for continuing to waste taxpayers money. I can’t wait for the SC Justices to deny their appeal, so the store can get underway.”

First off it will take a couple of months before they render an opinion, and secondly, the only one wasting  tax dollars is the city by misleading voters on the issue in advocational sessions and handing over millions in infrastructure upgrades for Walmart. A couple of court cases and an election is a miniscule cost to what we will be ponying up for Walmart.

“one thing about those supposed ‘rich snobs’ that are invading our city, they still don’t think they have to abide by anyone’s rules and laws but their own. sickening and disgusting, and they don’t belong here!”

Are you talking about Walmart? Because I agree 100%

“Think of how many hungry children in our community could have been fed with the amount of money these people have wasted. Get over it you lost, time to move on with life.”

Yes, blame them for the hungry children in our community. Well at least if you get a job at Walmart you will be eligible for food stamps to feed your children.

“For cripes sake, it’s not like a fracking operation is going to be drilling at that location. This matter of annexation and Lincoln County was already decided on.”

Uh, no it hasn’t, that is why it went to the SC.

“Just give the retarded people another useless Walmart. A little city like Sioux Falls really needs a 4th one. Lmao!”

I know people with Down Syndrome that have about 200% more common sense then some of these commenters, you are being to nice.

“Wow Listo, your ignorance is showing by the awful choice of words you displayed in your comment. Do you really think Wal-Mart didn’t conduct market research before they decided to build a new one? The market shows they’re needed, therefore, they will keep building. It’s called supply and demand, but someone as small as you probably can’t comprehend that basic economic principle.”

You are right, Walmart hasn’t defeated every single locally owned retailer yet, so they needed to build this store to get it accomplished. Ask Yankton how their Walmart worked out for them.

“Listo Harbor It’s not only about serving the current size of Sioux Falls, but the growth. The city is growing pretty rapidly, and need the services in place in order to meet the demand from consumers.”

Yeah, we NEED a 4th Walmart like we NEED a hole in our heads. I haven’t shopped at Walmart in years, and if they all left town tomorrow, the community would be fine, and growth would continue. To tell you the truth, we might be BETTER OFF without them sucking our tax dollars and paying low wages.

“I moved to the east side of town and have been going to the Walmart over here. I noticed most of the things buy on a regular basis has gone up one dollar. Ive noticed some thing advertised on sale that are actually a dollar higher.”

Walmart using trickery in their advertising?! Get the F’ck outta here! If you had half a brain, you would realize that Walmart’s prices are not much different then other retailers.

“Such a waste of the Justice’s time.”

Yes, because who cares about zoning and annexation laws? We should just get rid of those laws all together so I can build a shooting range  and lion’s den in my backyard.

“This is absolutely absurd that people can act like this. If you don’t like what is going in your neighborhood move! Good riddance!”

They were there first, this is the THIRD time the zoning has been changed since 75% have built their homes. IMO, if Walmart doesn’t like the neighbors wishes, they can build elsewhere.

 

Will ‘Shape Places’ be tweaked?

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Before the election I warned that passing Shape Places would not force the city council to tweak the bad parts of the ordinance.

There has already been questions shot at the Planning Department as to when these tweaks would take place, no plans as of yet.

I do know that SOME councilors have asked for another review of Shape Places to shore up some of the issues with the ordinance. Hopefully today at the 4 PM informational it will be brought up in open discussion.

I was told last night that former city planner, Steve Metli was against the ordinance change and had a post about it on Facebook. He said something about beaucrats in the city planning office having to much control of planning. In other words, many of the checks and balances that have existed before have been taken out.

I wish Mr. Metli would have been more publicly vocal about Shape Places before the election, if his FB post is indeed true.

If someone is friends with him on FB, would love to see his take in the comments section.

Is the mayor or his wife investing in ANOTHER development recommended by the planning commission and planning department

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Only one week from a municipal election and the mayor suspiciously steps out on Item#35 (FF: 1:18) without explanation;

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SIOUX FALLS APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY PLAN OF PINEWOOD ADDITION.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF SIOUX FALLS, SD:

That the preliminary plan of Pinewood Addition to the City of Sioux Falls, Lincoln County, SD, is hereby approved, and the City Clerk of the City of Sioux Falls is hereby directed to endorse on such plan a copy of this resolution and certify the same thereon.

Date adopted:

Mayor __________________

ATTEST:

City Clerk________________

Notice that the mayor is required to sign this document. Will he? That all depends if he is investing in this development. Even after many in the media, his mayoral opponent and many people in the public have said they prefer the mayor and his wife DO NOT invest in developments that have to be approved by his staff members, the council and planning commission.

He is hard of hearing I guess.

Since he didn’t explain why he stepped out on the vote and discussion, I guess we will have to see if this document gets signed before the election, and if so, by who?

UPDATE:Why are so many former community leaders spreading mis-information about the WM Rezoning?

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Sent from a SYN, member;

If you read the Argus Leader this morning you likely saw the quote from Carol Twedt, former Minnehaha County Commissioner, implying that the homeowners near 85th Street and Minnesota Avenue are at fault for not verifying the City’s plans for the area when they built their houses. “I think when you purchase property, it behooves you as a citizen to find out what the city’s plans are for your area, especially on a thoroughfare like I am,” she said.

Having been active in county planning, Commissioner Twedt understands the need for proper planning. She also recognizes that people rely on the government’s plans once adopted. The single family homeowners near 85th and Minnesota relied on the City’s plans when they built their homes. Going back to the 90s the City’s plans called for the area where these homes exist to be developed into single family neighborhoods. There was no plan for heavy commercial development in the area. Some of us asked at the time as Commissioner Twedt suggested.

While we appreciate the service Commissioner Twedt has provided her constituents, there are times when politicians must admit their have misspoke. Many others have also been mistaken in their understanding that the City long planned the area for significant commercial development well in advance of homes being built. Therefore, we ask that Commissioner Twedt publicly acknowledge that the City had not adopted any plans for large commercial development at the 85th & Minnesota intersection before 2009 when most of the homes were built. To insinuate otherwise is a misrepresentation of the facts.

 

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Twedt needs to concentrate on retirement instead of spreading mis-information:

Carol Twedt, a former Minnehaha County commissioner, said 85th and Minnesota is the right place for a Walmart. She’s lived in a condominium on Minnesota Avenue south of 57th Street for more than 20 years, and she’s watched the city grow around her.
“I think when you purchase property, it behooves you as a citizen to find out what the city’s plans are for your area, especially on a thoroughfare like I am,” she said.
“Growth happens in a vibrant community,” she added.

Here is the facts: The City didn’t have a plan for that corner until it designated it a sub-regional employment center on December 7th, 2009, by that time (see above).  We always expected commercial development on that corner, but under Shape Places C-4 commercial development can be an unlimited size, and a 185,000 sq ft super-center is absolutley the biggest and most intense commercial development imaginable.