Council approves rezoning of Buffalo Creek tracts to ONI amid strong public calls to protect mature woods

Town staff presented a legislative rezoning request (RZ-26-04) to change two tracts totaling about 90.39 acres from R-10/R-20A to Office & Institutional (O& I) to ensure map consistency with adjacent town-owned recreation and park properties. Planning staff said Buffalo Creek runs through the parcels, a large portion is in a flood hazard area, and a 50-foot riparian buffer would apply. The staff recommended approval with the statement that the rezoning would make the parcels consistent with the town’s park zoning.

Speakers in public comment included Jerry Johnson, Smithfield’s Recreation Director, who noted one tract was acquired through park dedication, and multiple residents who said the woodland character along the Buffalo Creek Greenway is valuable and should be conserved. One resident said a petition opposing deforestation had gathered about 640 signatures, roughly 85 of which listed Smithfield as the city in their Change.org entries. Councilors discussed buffer widths, multiuse trail placement within buffers, and whether an O& I parks district should be considered townwide; staff answered that walking trails can be designed within riparian buffers and that most of the lower parcels are marshy and not feasible for development.

After discussion, a motion to recommend approval carried on council vote, recorded in the meeting transcript as 4 to 3 in favor.