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Smithville staff proposes street-name changes to reduce addressing confusion
Summary
City staff urged the Planning and Zoning Commission to standardize several street names (Fourth Street Terrace, Commercial Street/Avenue and the segment at Shamrock) to avoid duplicate names and addressing errors; staff will prepare formal paperwork for the next meeting and notify affected property owners.
Jack, a city staff member, told the Smithville Planning and Zoning Commission on June 24 that staff would like recommendations to resolve several street-name and addressing inconsistencies as the town grows. "The thought would be we could remove the street and just call it Fourth Terrace," he said, citing confusion between the plat name and current signage.
Why it matters: Staff said inconsistent names and numbering can create mail-delivery and emergency-response confusion as Commercial Street/Avenue extends and new development comes online. Jack noted that signs and plat records differ and that, if not addressed, the town could wind up with north/south and east/west segments sharing the same street name and causing numbering conflicts.
What was proposed: Staff outlined three changes: rename "Fourth Street Terrace" on the plat to "Fourth Terrace"; standardize the Commercial corridor so signs and addresses read consistently (staff suggested signing all as Commercial Avenue); and rename the segment where Commercial turns west (near Shamrock) into a numbered street (referred to in the meeting as "Hundred And 40 Eighth Street") to conform to the town's grid. Jack said changing at Shamrock would affect one business (the gas station) but would better clarify east/west versus north/south traffic for future addressing. "It would then clarify that North South versus East West traffic issues," he said.
Process and impacts: Jack described the formal process: if the commission moves forward, the city sets addresses, sends letters to property owners notifying them that in 30 days the street-name/address will officially change, and copies the change to Clay County GIS, the assessor's office, 911 and known utilities (for example, Evergy). He told commissioners he would prepare supporting materials for the next meeting packet when an application is on the agenda.
What comes next: Staff will prepare the agenda packet and an application for formal consideration at an upcoming meeting; commissioners asked staff to bring the specific proposals and the staff-recommended breakpoint (169 vs. Shamrock) for decision. The commission did not take a formal vote on renaming during the June 24 meeting.
