The Sioux Falls Planning Commission on Jan. 2 approved a future‑land‑use amendment to reclassify about 205 acres east of 470 Sixth Avenue and south of Slip Up Creek Road from future light industrial (tiers 2 and 3) to tier 1 and future residential.

Planning and Development Services staff said the change prepares the site for annexation and future residential, commercial and light‑industrial uses and that city services can be provided within five years with a temporary pump station. "The tier 1 land use criteria has been met," said Carla Resendiz, planner with Planning and Development Services.

The amendment affects a parcel the applicant described as about 205 acres on the corner of 470 Sixth Avenue and south of Slip Up Creek. Staff told commissioners the site is bounded by an established residential neighborhood to the north, three single‑family homes to the northwest and a newly developed golf course to the east. Resendiz said the applicant is working with city engineering on plans for a private lift station and force main and that engineering staff are comfortable with progress so far. The applicant must still complete annexation paperwork, a preliminary subdivision plan and a rezoning application before development can proceed.

Bridal Jacks of the VanBusker Company, the applicant representative, told the commission the filing was "the first step into moving towards annexation and getting our preliminary plans...in order for this new residential development area." Jason Bieber, senior staff with Planning and Development Services, said detailed traffic and lot‑and‑block layouts will come at the preliminary subdivision and rezoning stages and that most lots are expected to access a new 70 Second Street alignment rather than Slip Up Creek Road.

John Beck, a nearby resident, raised traffic safety concerns at multiple points on I‑29 approaches and asked how the proposed street alignment would work. "Cars go flying over there at 65 miles an hour," Beck said, asking how additional traffic and visibility at a nearby crest would be addressed. City staff said traffic controls, lot access and final alignments will be studied in the later subdivision and rezoning reviews and that neighbors would see detailed layouts at that time.

Commissioners voted to approve the amendment (voice vote). No formal conditions were recorded in the Planning Commission action; staff noted outstanding engineering approvals and required future filings before annexation and development.

The approval is limited to the future‑land‑use map and tier reclassification; annexation, preliminary subdivision review and rezoning remain separate actions the applicant must pursue before construction.