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Smithville aldermen approve annexation of Whispering Creek lots despite neighbors’ objections
Summary
The Smithville Board of Aldermen voted 4-2 on Aug. 19 to annex Lots 2 and 3, Phase I of Whispering Creek Farms after residents raised concerns about notice, traffic and runoff; board members said Planning and Zoning can require a traffic impact study.
The Smithville Board of Aldermen voted 4-2 on Aug. 19 to approve Bill No. 3074-25, annexing Lots 2 and 3, Phase I of Whispering Creek Farms into the city.
The vote followed a lengthy public comment period in which several nearby residents objected to the annexation. "I believe the Board was more interested in collecting revenue than the quality of life," said Nicole Pfaff, who identified herself as living at 3405 NE 144th Street. Her husband, Brent Pfaff, said notices were insufficient and asked whether the city had conducted a traffic study.
Other residents said the annexation would worsen stormwater runoff and create safety problems at the intersection of Mount Olivet and NE 144th Street. "We moved here to get away from people" and avoid higher-density development, said Ed Chambers of 3419 NE 144th Street. Michael Ballenger, who lives on Mount Olivet Road, told the board that Clay County commissioners had previously denied related development and referenced House Bill 631 and Senate Bill 922—state proposals that did not pass—as examples of efforts to limit annexation rules.
During board discussion, Development Director Jack Hendrix said the Planning and Zoning Commission has authority to require a traffic impact study even when engineer calculations do not meet the standard thresholds. Mayor Boley interrupted when a public attendee, identified in the transcript as Gage Williams, disrupted the meeting; Chief Lockridge escorted the attendee from the chambers after he refused to follow the meeting's public comment procedure and threatened the board.
On roll call, Aldermen Melissa Wilson, Marv Atkins, Leeah Stone and Kelly Kobylski voted in favor; Aldermen Ron Russell and Dan Hartman voted no. Mayor Boley declared Bill No. 3074-25 approved.
Why it matters: Annexation will change zoning and municipal oversight for the noted parcels and may affect drainage, traffic and future development patterns in the immediate area. Residents asked for more and clearer public notice and for a traffic impact study; the board relied on the Planning and Zoning process for project-level mitigation and requirements.
Next steps: The mayor declared the bill approved at the meeting. Planning and Zoning follow-up, any required studies, and subsequent development approvals will be governed by the city's standard review process.
