Council approves several zoning text amendments on group homes, cluster setbacks, duplexes and home-occupation rules

Smithfield Town Council approved a package of zoning text amendments that change how several residential and home-occupation uses are regulated.

Council adopted an amendment to permit group homes as a by-right use (no special-use permit required) in multiple residential districts, including Community Conservation, Neighborhood Residential, Suburban Residential, Downtown Neighborhood Residential, Attached Residential, Residential Office Downtown and the Piedmont, excluding multifamily dwellings. Planning staff said the change aligns the zoning code with contemporary housing practices and the planning commission recommended the amendment.

Council also increased the minimum side-yard setback for cluster lots from six feet to 10 feet to provide more separation between buildings in cluster developments. The amendment applies to Article 3 provisions governing cluster lots and was recommended by the planning commission.

Separately, the council approved text to clarify duplex definitions and lot requirements, confirming that a duplex may be two units on a single parcel (one duplex) or one unit per subdivided lot; minimum lot areas and widths double where a duplex occupies a single parcel. Staff said the change was intended to clear ambiguous language in the ordinance.

Finally, council adopted a text amendment to home-occupation definitions that removes certain uses from the home-occupation category — specifically author, composer, computer programmer, salesperson, and telephone/answering services — after a public clarification prompted by a resident applicant. The council also granted a single special-use permit in the meeting to allow an author to operate from a home for writing, noting the general code change addresses potential misapplications going forward.

All amendments were favorably recommended by the planning commission and passed by the council in the meeting's action items portion.