Planning commission approves annexation and RG-3 zoning for Smithfield Subdivision Phase 3

The Florence City Planning Commission voted to annex and zone Phase 3 of the Smithfield Subdivision as RG-3 at its meeting. Planning staff described Phase 3 as the remaining cluster of small parcels on the subdivision’s north side and said the request also adds a storm pond that was not previously listed under its tax parcel number.

Planning staff said the request covers county tax map numbers 00100-01-384 through 00100-01-443 and additionally adds the storm-pond parcel 00100-01-093 to “clean that all up.” The staff presentation noted phases 1 and 2 are already inside Florence city limits and that the phase map shows one long street, Fincher Drive, serving the phase. “I believe it was 60 parcels,” a staff member said when describing the plat.

The commission opened and immediately closed the public hearing after no members of the public came forward. A motion to approve the annexation and RG-3 zoning was made and seconded; the commission approved the request by voice vote. No roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.

Commission discussion referenced earlier debate between the neighborhood and the commission when the subdivision was first considered in prior phases; planning staff and a commissioner said that neighbors had earlier expressed concern about smaller lot sizes and smaller homes in earlier phases. The current action was presented as finishing the subdivision and bringing the storm pond parcel into the city’s tax and zoning records.

The commission did not specify development timelines, conditions of approval beyond the zoning designation, or any required variances for individual lots during the meeting transcript.