Local Politics
  1. Home
  2. US
  3. South Dakota
  4. Sioux Falls
  5. Issues

Shape Sioux Falls 2050 Comprehensive Plan

At a glance

  • What: Joint jurisdictional comprehensive plan for Lincoln County and City of Sioux Falls planning area, updating Shape Sioux Falls 2040.
  • Where it stands: Adopted August 25, 2026 (Resolution 92-26, 8-0 with amendment).
  • Next: Joint meeting scheduled for last Tuesday of October at 7 p.m. for community discussion.

Plan details

The Shape Sioux Falls 2050 Comprehensive Plan (also known as Shape Sioux Falls 2050) updates the Shape Sioux Falls 2040 plan. The plan:

  • Guides coordinated, adjusted, and harmonious development of the joint planning jurisdictional area.
  • Promotes health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity, general welfare, efficiency, and economy in development.
  • Supersedes Shape Sioux Falls 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

Planning process:

  • Joint Lincoln County and City of Sioux Falls Planning Commission developed the plan.
  • Public hearing held March 17, 2026.
  • Joint public hearing held August 25, 2026 with county and city governing bodies.

Availability: Plan on file and available for public inspection in City Clerk's office, County Auditor's office, City Planning Office, Lincoln County Planning Office, and on city website.

Motions on August 25, 2026

The Lincoln County Commission first moved to pass the plan with two amendments (below); that motion failed. It then passed a substitute motion adding only the October community meeting. On the City side, Thomason moved and Spellerberg seconded adoption of Resolution 92-26; Pankonin moved and Thomason seconded the October-meeting amendment (8-0), and the resolution passed as amended, 8-0. Mayor Erickson was absent. County vote counts are not recorded. See also Hyperscale Data Center Moratorium.

Amendments in the failed first County motion

  1. Datacenter moratorium hearing: Amendment to require hearing on moratorium for hyperscale data centers on last Tuesday of September at 7 p.m. Failed.

  2. Public records transparency: Amendment requiring that parties to joint jurisdictional agreement not enter into agreements with non-governmental entities, private persons, or public-private businesses involving confidentiality/nondisclosure agreements in joint zoning and platting jurisdiction applications. Requires all such agreements be public records as defined in SDCL 1-27-1.1. Failed.

Adopted amendment

Amendment adopted: Sioux Falls City Council and Lincoln County Commission will meet in October and have discussion between joint bodies and community, scheduled for last Tuesday in October at 7 p.m.

Public input

Public input addressed datacenters extensively, including:

  • Request for datacenter moratoriums and education.
  • Financial and water supply impacts from datacenters.
  • EMF radiation concerns.
  • Public advisory boards for ordinances.
  • Appreciation for elected officials' service and listening to public input.

Sources

Log

2026-08-25 - Joint Sioux Falls City Council - Lincoln County Commission Meeting

Resolution 92-26 adopting Shape Sioux Falls 2050 Comprehensive Plan passed with amendment. Joint October meeting scheduled for community discussion.

2026-05-05 - City Council

Item 42, Resolution 42-26 (sponsor: Mayor) amended four maps of the City's plan: Map 5.A Development Areas, Map 5.B Sanitary Availability, Map 5.C Water and Roads, and Map 5.D Public Facilities and Proposed Drainage Basins. The Planning Commission held its public hearing April 1, 2026 and recommended approval 5-0; the Council held its hearing May 5. Brown moved and Sigette seconded; 6-0. The minutes record no discussion and do not describe the map changes.