Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Rezoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Aldermen approve rezoning for Second Creek Bridge Road parcel after public concern about density
Summary
The Smithville Board of Aldermen approved a rezoning application for land at Second Creek Bridge Road and Lohman Road despite public testimony raising concerns about lot sizes, density and floodplain areas; the motion passed with four ayes, one no and one abstention.
The Smithville Board of Aldermen on a first-reading vote approved rezoning of property at the northeast corner of Second Creek Bridge Road and Lohman Road after public comment raised concerns about lot size, density and floodplain buildability. The motion passed 4–1–1.
The public hearing drew two speakers who said the proposed rezoning could increase density near existing single-family yards. "At 4 to 5 houses per acre, I can't see how that would be in accordance with your 2030 plan," said Cindy Hadley, who said she lives at 520 Second Creek Road. Roberta Lohman, of 16251 Lohman Road, said residents lack detailed information about lot sizes and house types and asked how citizen questions will be answered in the planning process.
Development Director Jack Hendricks summarized zoning definitions and the comprehensive plan framework. He said R-1B supports moderate-density suburban development with larger lots while R-1D allows higher-density single-family development and that R-1D was created in 2021 as part of the comprehensive plan. "In this scenario, our comprehensive plan defines [moderate density] as anywhere between 1 and 5 lots in this type of a district," Hendricks said. He added R-1D could allow lots as narrow as 50 feet, compared with 60-foot lots in R-1C and 75-foot lots in R-1B. Hendricks also said roughly 7 to 8 acres of the site are in the floodplain and some of that is in the floodway, reducing developable acreage; he estimated about 24–26 developable acres remain and said the developer has not yet provided a site design.
During aldermanic discussion, Alderman Atkins moved approval for first reading; the roll call recorded four ayes, one no and one abstention. Alderman Hartman recorded an abstention. The clerk announced the motion carries. The ordinance was read as "An ordinance changing the zoning classifications or districts of certain lands located in the city of Smithville, Missouri." No final plat or site plan was presented at the meeting.
Because the applicant has not submitted a detailed layout, Hendricks and residents emphasized that density and adjacency impacts will be evaluated in later review steps. Aldermen and staff indicated citizens may comment again during subsequent public hearings and when a specific development plan is filed.
Aldermen, staff and residents used the public hearing and the first reading to clarify standards and to note the presence of floodplain on parts of the property; no final development approvals beyond the rezoning first reading were adopted at this meeting.
