City to Amend Zoning Ordinance to Regulate Tiny Homes
by: Dwayne PageFeb 05, 2025
Regulations would be established for Tiny Homes under a zoning ordinance amendment which was adopted on first reading during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting of the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen. Second and final reading will be scheduled following a public hearing at the March 3 meeting.
Currently, the City of Smithville has no “Tiny Home” regulations in a residential zone. One tiny home has already been located on Juniper Lane in an R-1 residential district.
Last month, the Smithville Planning Commission voted to send a regulation recommendation to the mayor and aldermen for adoption. It was also suggested by the city’s building inspector.
Under the proposed zoning ordinance amendment, Tiny Homes would be permitted only in the R-2 district as a use permitted and defined as anything 727 square feet or below restricted to only one tiny home per parcel by right. More than one tiny home (per lot) must be subject to mobile home park regulations and submitted with a site plan. Tiny homes would also be subject to the city’s international residential codes including existing setback requirements.
“This was brought up to me by the building inspector,” said Mayor Josh Miller. “He said you had better take a look at this because this (tiny homes) is about to start happening and it has happened. They have probably put a 500 square foot building in an R-1 area (Juniper Lane). We’re saying now (zoning ordinance amendment) that anything under 727 square feet has to be in an R-2 district but it still has to have a footer and all the things that a house has to have. We’re just trying to protect home investments. If you buy in an R-2 district you have to know there could be town homes, duplexes, or multi-family uses in that area. This is something that was recommended by the building inspector,” said Mayor Miller.
During Monday night’s mayor and aldermen meeting, City Administrator Hunter Hendrixson read the ordinance amendment before the vote.
“Whereas the Smithville Municipal Planning Commission has forwarded its recommendation to the city council regarding the amendment to the zoning ordinance of Smithville. The zoning ordinance is hereby amended, and the following definition shall be added: A Tiny Home is defined as a single-family dwelling that consists of a structure that is less than 727 square feet. Tiny Homes shall be allowed in the R-2 district as a permitted use. If there is more than one Tiny Home on an individual lot then the mobile home park regulations established would apply with a required site plan,” said Hendrixson.
Under the same ordinance amendment, zero lot lines would be permitted upon appeal for multi-family residential dwellings in all districts except R-1 (low density residential).
Also included in the ordinance amendment is a provision that requires two off street parking spaces per apartment unit paved with hard surfacing for any future apartment building.
Alderman Jessica Higgins asked Mayor Miller to explain Lot Lines.
“You still must have setbacks off the property lines. That is not what this (ordinance amendment concerning lot lines) is talking about. In the R-2 district the setbacks are still 10 feet off the side, 20 feet off the rear, and 30 feet in the front. That is not changing. But they are able to build apartments closer together like the town homes that were built where the old Knowles hospital was torn down. You still cannot encroach on your neighbor on the setback lines. You can’t do that and I would never be for that,” said Mayor Miller.
Local Motorcyclist Killed in Nashville Crash with Tractor Trailer on I-24 East
by: Dwayne PageFeb 05, 2025
A local motorcyclist died following Sunday afternoon’s crash with a tractor trailer on I-24 East in Nashville. According to a news release by the Metro Nashville Police Department, the preliminary investigation indicates the Harley Davidson FLT, driven by Derek McIntosh, 36, of Smithville, was merging onto I-24 East from Harding Place when he struck the side of a tractor trailer. The motorcycle traveled underneath the tractor trailer.
McIntosh died at the scene.
There was no evidence of impairment on part of either driver.
McIntosh was a fork lift operator with Nissan. He was an avid biker and musician as well as the vice president of the Truckers, Bikers and Veterans Riding Club and loved fishing, golfing, playing guitar and just being outdoors.
He was born on December 31, 1988 in Oxford, Ohio. Derek was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Lonnie Mack which was the inspiration of Derek’s love of music. He was also preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Malessia (Sugar) Bowling.
Visitation with the family will be on Saturday from 2:00 to 6:00 pm and on Sunday from 11:30 until the service at 1:00 in the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Salem Cemetery.
Survivors include his father, Eric McIntosh of Smithville; mother, Marla (Richard) Harsh of Indiana; 6 year old daughter, Melody McIntosh and mother of his child, Cassandra Yanicki both of Rock Island; 1 sister, Chayil (Cory) Gindling of Indiana; 2 brothers, Andrew Harsh and Dylan Harsh both of Indiana; grandfather, Charles Bowling and grandmother, Ruth Wilson both of Indiana; several nieces and nephews also survive.
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements
Tigers Get First District Win of Season at home over Cumberland County
by: Dwayne PageFeb 05, 2025
The DCHS Tigers notched their first district victory of the season and snapped a seven-game losing skid Tuesday night with a 69 to 53 win over visiting Cumberland County on senior night. The Lady Tigers were defeated 55 to 29.
The Tigers are now 9-16 overall and 1-6 in the district while the Lady Tigers drop to 6-19 on the season and remain winless at 0-7 in district play.
Friday night, February 7 DeKalb County travels to Baxter to take on Upperman beginning with the girls game at 6 p.m. followed by the boys contest. WJLE will have LIVE coverage.
In the boys game Tuesday night the Tigers held a 13 to 10 lead after the 1st period and were up 31 to 22 by halftime. DC led 51 to 38 after the 3rd period and went onto claim a 69 to 53 victory.
Dallas Kirby scored 22 points followed by Jordan Parker 19, Jon Hendrix 11, Seth Fuson 8, Porter Hancock 6, Logan Duke 2 and Elliot Barnes 1.
For the girls, Cumberland County led 15 to 8 after the 1st period, 18 to 17 by halftime, and 40 to 18 after the 3rd period enroute to a 55 to 29 victory over DeKalb County.
Lillie Young scored 7 followed by Allie Melton and Avery Agee each with 6, Brooklyn Fuson 5, Caroline Crook 3, and Jordyn Agee 2.
Last Friday night, January 31 both the Tigers and Lady Tigers lost to White County in Smithville. The final scores were 68 to 53 in the boys game and 66 to 25 in the girls contest.
For the boys, the Warriors led 20 to 11 after the 1st period, 33 to 22 by halftime, and 49 to 40 after the 3rd period before notching a 68 to 53 win.
Dallas Kirby led the Tigers in scoring with 23 points. Jon Hendrix 15, Seth Fuson and Jordan Parker each with 5, Porter Hancock 4, and Elliot Barnes 1.
In the girls game, White County led 25 to 5 after the 1st period, 39 to 16 by halftime, and 58 to 20 after the 3rd period enroute to a 66 to 25 win.
Avery Agee and Jordyn Agee each scored 6, Brooklyn Fuson 4, Allie Melton 3, and Caroline Crook, Chloe VanVranken, and Lillie Young each with 2.