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Smyrna council approves four ordinance changes on signs, accessory units, bail‑bond zoning and vape retailers
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Summary
At a special‑call workshop the Smyrna Town Council approved four city code amendments — changes to the town sign ordinance, allowing accessory apartments in R‑4 by special exception, zoning restrictions for bail‑bond agencies, and new rules for tobacco/vape/cannabinoid retailers — all recommended by the planning commission and adopted by voice vote.
Smyrna’s Town Council adopted four ordinance amendments in a special‑call workshop that city staff said were the product of earlier joint meetings with the planning commission.
Kevin, a town planning staff member, told the council the sign ordinance changes remove the 90‑day/year, 30‑day increment rule for banners and instead allow banners up to seven days within three months of a business license being issued or while a permitted permanent sign is being fabricated. “Temporary signage is regulated by the sign ordinance,” Kevin said. He added streamers, pennants and inflatable signs would be removed as permitted forms of temporary signage. Kevin said the planning commission reviewed the changes and “did recommend approval unanimously,” and staff recommended adoption.
On zoning matters, the council approved an amendment to allow accessory apartments in the R‑4 medium‑density residential district as a special exception reviewed by the board of zoning appeals, limited to lots with a single‑family residence (accessory units would not be allowed as a third unit on duplex lots). Kevin said the language reflects prior joint meetings with the planning commission and that the planning commission recommended approval.
A separate staff‑initiated amendment added a definition for “bail bond agency” and placed the use under general business services with restrictions on which commercial and industrial districts could host such businesses. Kevin said the amendment responds to an inquiry about establishing a bail‑bond business in town and that the planning commission recommended unanimous approval.
Finally, the council adopted changes that define establishments selling tobacco, vapor and cannabinoid‑derived products as primary operations and allow them in specified commercial and industrial districts with supplementary location rules. Kevin again told the council the planning commission had reviewed and recommended approval.
All four items were presented with little public discussion, the hearings were closed without speakers for those items, and each ordinance was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote during the meeting.
Votes at a glance • Ordinance amending the Smyrna sign ordinance (chapters 3 and 7): approved by voice vote; planning commission recommended unanimous approval. • Zoning amendment to permit accessory apartments in R‑4 by special exception: approved by voice vote; planning commission recommended unanimous approval. • Zoning amendment defining and placing bail bond agencies in the use table with district restrictions: approved by voice vote; planning commission recommended unanimous approval. • Zoning amendments for tobacco, vapor and cannabinoid retailers: approved by voice vote; planning commission recommended unanimous approval.
What’s next: Staff indicated the sign ordinance amendment takes effect immediately. For the zoning text changes, the town will publish the adopted ordinances and administer them through permitting and the board of zoning appeals where applicable. Planning staff advised that additional implementing language is already included in the council packet and that any enforcement or permit reviews will follow existing town procedures.
