SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The Sioux Falls Planning Commission this month approved a conditional-use permit for a casino and strip mall to be built next to a growing residential area on the southern edge of the city, despite the City Council’s earlier rejection of a similar request.

The commission approved the project even though the City Council’s urban planning staff recommended rejecting the project because it was not an appropriate place to sell alcohol, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader reported. The planning staff, which manages the orderly development of Sioux Falls and supervises the protection of property, also noted the City Council denied a similar permit request in 2015 at the same location.

The planning commission serves as an advisory board to the City Council and offers recommendations on land use and zoning matters.

“Does this spot of land make sense as an on-sale alcohol beverage establishment?” said Nicholas Sershen, planning commissioner. “Yes, it does.”

The developers behind the Sioux Falls network of Deuces and Crown casinos presented plans for the casino and attached strip mall project at a recent meeting. The developers are represented by Bryant Soberg who, along with business partner Kirby Muilenburg, has investments in a number of different businesses, including Commonwealth Gaming and Holdings and Crown Gaming Inc.

Commonwealth is licensed to operate video lotteries in 10 Sioux Falls casinos, according to 2018 state data. Crown Gaming owns five more, and Soberg and Muilenburg are connected to other casinos in the city.

Soberg said a neighborhood meeting with nearby homeowners allowed them to address some of their concerns.

“We’re going to do everything we can to operate a good location,” Soberg said. “We don’t want to run a bad establishment.”

Charlotte Miller, who lives in the area, opposed Soberg’s proposal in 2015 but offered lukewarm support for his latest plan — as long as it is across the intersection and far away from family homes.