The Smithfield ruling in plain words
A judge says the city skipped its own rules when it approved Smithfield's new plant. I supported the move. Here's what the ruling means.
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Smithfield plant permit
In October, a judge undid the special permit the City Council approved for Smithfield's new plant, ruling the city skipped steps its own rules require. Smithfield says it will apply for the permit again, which would go back through public hearings.
Who decides
The Sioux Falls Planning Commission and City Council. A new permit application goes to the Planning Commission first, then to the City Council, and both hold public hearings. The city also decides whether to appeal the ruling.
What happens next
Smithfield will hold a neighborhood meeting on Thu. Nov. 19, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Southeast Technical College, The Hub Auditorium. The judge ruled this kind of meeting should have happened before the first permit. Letters went to property owners and residents near Foundation Park. No Planning Commission or City Council hearing dates have been set yet.
How to weigh in
- Go to the neighborhood meetingThu. Nov. 19, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Southeast Technical College, 2001 N. Career Ave. Smithfield staff will review site plans, take input and answer questions. Send questions ahead of time to corporateaffairs@smithfield.com.
- Speak at the public hearingsWhen the new application is scheduled, both the Planning Commission and the City Council will take public comment. Agendas are posted the week before.
Coming up
Smithfield neighborhood meeting
Smithfield is asking for input on its planned Foundation Park plant. Letters went to property owners and residents near the site. Smithfield staff will review site plans and answer questions. Questions ahead of time go to corporateaffairs@smithfield.com.
Our coverage
Common questions
What did the judge rule on the Smithfield permit?
The judge ruled the city skipped steps its own rules require when it approved the permit. The ruling did not find bias. It sent the permit back to the city.
What happens next with Smithfield?
Smithfield says it will apply for the permit again. First, Smithfield holds a neighborhood meeting on Nov. 19, 2026. Then a new application goes to the Planning Commission and the City Council, and both hold public hearings. Those dates have not been set yet.
More reporting
- Smithfield to meet with property owners on pork plantKELOLAND News, Nov. 5, 2026
- Smithfield to reapply for permit for $1.3B Sioux Falls pork plantThe Dakota Scout, Oct. 13, 2026
- Judge overturns Sioux Falls approval of Smithfield permit, sends it back to city councilDakota News Now, Oct. 5, 2026
- Judge sends Smithfield conditional use permit back to citySouth Dakota News Watch
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