Public opposes Shaw Street rezoning; council declines to act on Ordinance 540

Residents told the Smithville City Council they oppose a request to rezone five lots on Shaw Street from R‑1 (low density) to R‑2 (higher density), and the council did not move to advance the proposed ordinance.

Paul Miranda, a Smith Road property owner, said he was speaking "in opposition to this proposed zoning change from R‑1 to R‑2," pointing to safety concerns and heavy commercial traffic on Shaw Street. Miranda noted the Municipal Planning Commission had voted 5–2 against the rezoning at its Nov. 10 meeting and urged the council to respect that decision.

Miranda also told the council that Jacob Alsop, the owner of property across the street, had ‘‘voluntarily attached a legal and binding contract at the DeKalb deeds office that prohibits any R‑2 housing from ever being built there,’’ and he said recent development in the area has been single‑family homes. He warned the requested rezoning ‘‘is truly, primarily being requested for the financial benefit of the current owner or any future buyer’’ and argued it would increase traffic and safety risks for children and residents.

At their meeting, council members and the presiding officer noted that overturning a Planning Commission denial requires a supermajority. There was no motion to consider or override Ordinance 540; the presiding officer stated that, without a motion, the ordinance did not advance at the council level.

The record shows the Planning Commission denied the application on Nov. 10 by a 5–2 vote; the transcript does not include a council vote on Ordinance 540.