Planning commission advances two rezoning requests and moves Lakeside Farms plat to board

The Smithville Planning and Zoning Commission on Dec. 10 recommended approval of two rezoning requests and approved conceptual and preliminary actions for the Lakeside Farms subdivision, sending ordinances and the development agreement to the Board of Aldermen for subsequent readings and final votes.

Jack, a city planning staff member, opened the meeting’s land-use items and presented the staff evidence for each hearing, telling the commission the parcel at Cliff Drive and 169 had previously been rezoned to R-3 for a project that did not proceed and that the applicant now seeks restoration to B-2 so the site can return to the commercial market. “I propose the staff report … and the proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law document be the documents for the evidence,” Jack said. The commission voted unanimously, 6–0, to recommend rezoning 16000 North 169 Highway from R-3 to B-2; the item will appear at the Board of Aldermen meeting next week for ordinance reading.

The commission also considered a rezoning request for a 35.5-acre parcel at 800 Northwest State Route 92, from A-1 to B-3. Neighbor Mark Wade asked what the property would host and whether the developer planned commercial uses such as an RV park or storage. Jack said, “They have not given us a plan of what they're gonna do,” and clarified that any specific use would require a separate application and public notice. Resident Tamara Anderson asked whether MoDOT traffic surveys had been completed for the site, citing increased local traffic and safety concerns. Jack replied that traffic studies are not typically required at rezoning stage and that any business seeking access to a state highway would need a MoDOT review and approval: “MoDOT ultimately has final say. We usually act as a conduit.” The commission voted 6–0 to recommend the rezoning to B-3 and directed staff to forward the ordinance to the aldermen for reading.

On a larger project, staff presented amendments to the Eagle Heights conceptual plan to create the Lakeside Farms conceptual plan, and then heard/considered the Lakeside Farms preliminary plat and development agreement. Jack said the revised conceptual plan shifts district areas (reducing R-2 and expanding R-1 P), increases overall density relative to the 2018 plan (to roughly 289 total units with duplex lots along Eagle Parkway), and incorporates comprehensive-plan items. He described infrastructure items in the proposed development agreement, including sanitary sewer changes (deleting one lift station and adding another), construction of an Owens Branch interceptor line segment, a parkland dedication of about 1 acre to expand Wildflower Park (to roughly 8.6 acres), and trail connections identified in the parks master plan.

Engineer Steve Warder, representing the project team, said smaller lots are intended to appeal to buyers downsizing, and that accessibility could be accommodated in home plans: “We definitely would work with them” to address handicap accessibility and universal-design features. Commissioners asked whether MoDOT-requested improvements such as a new turn signal would be borne by the developer; staff and project representatives confirmed those costs are developer responsibilities. The commission voted unanimously, 6–0, to recommend the conceptual amendment and to approve the preliminary plat via resolution, with Jack noting the resolution is contingent on the aldermen passing the related ordinance readings.

Votes at a glance

- Recommend rezoning 16000 North 169 Highway from R-3 to B-2 — Recommendation approved, 6–0. (Advances to Board of Aldermen for ordinance reading.) - Recommend rezoning 800 NW State Route 92 from A-1 to B-3 — Recommendation approved, 6–0. (Advances to Board of Aldermen for ordinance reading.) - Approve conceptual amendment to create Lakeside Farms (amend Eagle Heights conceptual plan) — Recommendation approved, 6–0. (Advances to Board of Aldermen for ordinance reading.) - Approve Lakeside Farms preliminary plat by resolution — Approved, 6–0; resolution contingent on ordinance passage.

What happens next

Jack said each zoning ordinance will appear at the Board of Aldermen meeting next week for its first reading and that ordinances normally require two readings at separate meetings before becoming effective; if the aldermen approve the ordinances, the preliminary-plat resolution and the development agreement will move forward as described in staff materials. The commission adjourned after routine closing business.

Reporting notes: Quotes and specific procedural outcomes are taken from the commission’s Dec. 10 proceedings and staff statements presented at the hearing.