Smithfield
planning commission amends zoning laws
By Tim
Olsen
September 19, 2008 | SMITHFIELD -- Clarification was
the goal for the Smithfield Planning Commission in regards
to yard measurement and temporary structures. The meeting
didn't take long as a unanimous 5-0 vote made the needed
amendments.
The commission made the move in an effort to make
city zoning ordinances easier for residents to interpret
and understand. Most of the discussion was spent on
the ordinance covering yard measurements.
"Measurements should be taken from the closest point
on the main building to the closest corner of the accessory
building," Commissioner David Price said.
This clarification removed the use of the word "perpendicular"
from the ordinance that was causing confusion for both
residents and city residents.
"We're hopeful that by simplifying the yard measurements
ordinance for accessory buildings, we'll avoid a lot
of misunderstandings with staff and residents," Price
said.
Also touched on by the commission, was the amount
of time a temporary structure would be allowed in both
a residential and industrial areas. What exactly constitutes
a temporary structure was also touched on. In the
end the commission decided to grant a time limit of
six months for residential and one year for industrial
temporary structures.
NW
MS |
