Aldermen approve annexation of Whispering Creek lots despite residents' concerns

The Smithville Board of Aldermen approved the annexation of Lots 1 and 4 of Whispering Creek on first reading, passing bill 3085-25 after public comment and a roll-call vote.

The item drew multiple residents who raised safety and infrastructure concerns tied to KK Highway and Highway 169, including traffic, blind curves, lack of shoulders and potential floodplain issues. Nicole Paff, who identified herself as a nearby resident, told the board she was "inundated with coming to alderman meetings" and said she is concerned about "the traffic that this development will bring, to our area." Planning staff and council members explained that the property is already zoned residential and that engineering and any required easements or traffic work would be addressed during subsequent plat and engineering reviews. After public input, the clerk called the roll and the council moved the annexation ordinance forward with a recorded vote (reported in the meeting as 5-1).

Council members emphasized the process ahead: if annexed, engineering, stormwater management and MoDOT-required work for KK would be addressed before development proceeds. Planning staff told the board MoDOT controls KK and a traffic study is on file with MoDOT; the board noted that easements and construction work are typically completed as part of the developer’s engineering phase.