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Council denies rezoning for 2000 N. L.C. Smith Road after residents cite farmland protections
Summary
The Independence City Council voted 7-0 to deny a developer’s request to rezone 2000 North L.C. Smith Road from residential‑agricultural (RA) to R4 low‑density single‑family, after residents and planning staff said the change conflicted with the city’s comprehensive plan and would alter the area’s rural character.
The Independence City Council voted 7-0 on March 3 to deny an ordinance that would have rezoned 2000 North L.C. Smith Road from RA, residential‑agricultural, to R4, single‑family residential low density.
Brian Eder, a resident who said he lives at 1811 North L.C. Smith Road in Independence, urged the council to deny the rezoning, saying the request “directly contradicts the Imagine Independence comprehensive plan” and would “undermine the city's long‑term vision to protect farmland.” Eder also cited concerns about increased traffic on narrow roads, septic impacts to waterways and a precedent that could prompt broader conversion of agricultural land.
Rick Arroyo, assistant community development director, told the council the Planning Commission considered the application at its Jan. 14 meeting and “did not vote in favor of this rezoning.” Arroyo said the applicant sought the change to allow the creation and sale of a second lot for a single‑family home, and that because on‑site sewer is not available, the rezone would be needed to meet frontage requirements for a second lot.
Councilmembers discussed the character of the neighborhood and whether a new house would harm the established area. Councilmember McCandless said she visited the site and, while noting the addition likely would not cause traffic or water‑quality harm, concluded she would vote no to preserve “that little neighborhood area.” The roll call resulted in seven votes against the ordinance, and the rezoning was denied.
The denial leaves the property zoned RA. The Planning Commission’s prior recommendation against the rezoning and public opposition were prominent in council discussion.
The council also completed second‑reading votes on other rezoning items on the same agenda (see “Votes at a glance” article for a full list of outcomes).
