Smithville to Ban Outbuildings in Front of Homes
by Chris Tramel

The City of Smithville is looking to crack down on front yard structures in residential areas. A new ordinance, passed on first reading by the Smithville Board of Aldermen last week, would restrict residents from being allowed to erect, or place, an accessory structure such as an outbuilding or barn in their front yard.

The ordinance was recommended for passage by the Smithville Planning Commission, and would require that “with exceptions of signs, accessory structures shall not be erected in any front yard” in R-1 and R-2 residential zones. Barns, sheds, outbuildings, etc. would have to be situated to the side, or behind homes according to setback regulations in those residential zones with the approval of the city building codes inspector.

Second and final reading of the ordinance is scheduled to be held at the next meeting in July.

The planning commission also recommended an amendment to the zoning ordinance to prohibit residential and commercial uses in all heavy and light Industrial zones (I-1, 1-2, & 1-3 zones). The board passed the amendment on first reading, with the final reading also scheduled at the July meeting.

In other business, the board voted to make a narrow roadway in downtown a one-way road. Bailiff Street, located between Fisher Avenue and Mountain Street, has been changed to a one-way street from the Fisher entrance.

The change was made at the request of residents that live in the area, and the planning commission.

The board of aldermen also adopted an ordinance, on second and final reading, to rezone property at 415 Juniper Lane from R-2 residential to C-1 commercial. The property belongs to Rebecca Ford Little, and joins two other lots in the area already zoned commercial.