SRM Annexation Approved!
During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, the Smithville Aldermen adopted a resolution to annex property belonging to Hollingshead Materials, LLC (Smyrna Ready Mix) at 746 East Broad Street bordering the city limits of Smithville. The action by the council taken at the owners request is for the annexation of two parcels including one where the SRM concrete batching company now operates (Map 065, Parcel 073.04) and the adjoining vacant property (Parcel 073.05). The land is situated between East Broad Street, Midway Road, and Terrell Road.
In March, the Smithville Planning Commission recommended approval of a plan of services for the proposed annexation which was later adopted by the Board of Aldermen and a public hearing was held prior to annexation last month.
Alderman Shawn Jacobs, a member of the planning commission, said the property qualifies for annexation.
“Our staff planner Tommy Lee did his due diligence in investigating the situation. He notified us that it (property) is within the city’s published and proposed urban growth area and meets all the requirements for annexation. The public works director and city engineer have also agreed that there are no problems as a result of the annexation of this property,” said Alderman Jacobs.
However, prior to the annexation vote, city property owner Steve Cantrell raised concerns during the public comment period.
The following are Cantrell’s remarks:
“I am strongly in favor of the City of Smithville’s growth, but only if it is smart growth. In this light, I am very pleased that in addition to the “Smithville Tennessee Land Use and Transportation Policy Plan for 2010-2030, many in city government and the public are now aware of Smithville’s Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) Map thanks to publication on WJLE”.
“Again, my focus is on Smart Growth and ensuring taxpayers know our way ahead”.
“In that light, the city appears to have the infrastructure to handle some growth; however, our infrastructure is aging and will most likely require expansion in the future. Without expansion, developmental growth such as housing will most likely have to slow down or completely stop until funding may be acquired. When the city has required additional funds, other than through grants, the answer has usually been taxes. Something both the city and county residents are very sensitive to now with the county’s increase in taxes twice in two years”.
“I propose an alternative. The city should look at developing a fee structure for new city homes and/or structures resulting from new developments. The fees collected would go into a city fund for future expanded sewer and water infrastructure”,
“Once collected, the funds could grow through interest; and then, could be complemented by Tennessee or Federal grants in the future, But what should not happen is for the taxpayers of Smithville to be surprised with a major tax increase not of their making, but from City approved developmental growth”.
“As far as annexing properties, if, and when, the city annexes a property, they are grandfathering that property into the city “as is”
“However, prior to approving an annexing request, the city has leverage with the property owner. The city should inspect the property to ensure it completely meets all city code requirements”.
“For example, the Hollingshead Materials, LLC annexation may be approved tonight. However, the property currently appears to have drainage challenges in the back of its building as reflected by these three pictures (shown to the mayor and aldermen) taken from a public road”.
“The problem appears to be the result of the construction of their cement operation, which may have interfered with normal drainage. In addition, this appears to have impacted the lower part of the building”.
“I recommend, not only for this property, but any property requesting annexation into the city, that it be inspected to ensure it is within city code requirements. If it is not, then postpone annexation until violations or concerns have been addressed to the city’s satisfaction. Now, this property may in fact be fine, but do we know for sure?”
“Once annexed into the city, you have grandfathered any outstanding issues”
“Again, my focus is on smart growth for the City of Smithville,” said Cantrell.
In other business, the aldermen adopted a resolution establishing a plan of services as recommended by the planning commission and scheduled a public hearing for July 1 on the proposed annexation of a parcel located at 640 East Broad Street by the owner’s request, Lou Ann White. According to city officials, White wants this parcel to be in the city limits adjoining another she owns which is already in the city. Any final action on the request in August would not come until after a public hearing in July.
Meanwhile, upon a recommendation by the planning commission, the aldermen adopted an ordinance on first reading to rezone a parcel of property (0.6 acres) belonging to Josh Hawkins at 885 Foster Road across from Calvary Baptist Church from R-1 (Low Density Residential) to R-2 (High Density Residential). Hawkins wants to build a duplex on the property, part of which is in the county. A public hearing will be held prior to second and final reading passage in July.
The aldermen further adopted an ordinance on first reading, upon the recommendation of the planning commission to rezone a parcel of property (behind Wilson Bank & Trust and Tractor Supply) located on West Main Street from R-1 (Low Density Residential) to C-1 (General Commercial) at the request of owner Mark Hart who wants to build a salon for his daughter. While land around the Hart location is currently zoned R-1, city officials said the property across the street is all zoned C-1. A public hearing will be held prior to second and final reading passage in July.
Because of the Independence holiday and the Fiddlers Jamboree, the July monthly meeting of the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen will be held on Tuesday, July 1 at 6 p.m. at city hall instead of the regular meeting night on Monday, July 7.