Smithfield council denies rezone of Lillywhite property

Katie Krusi Posted City of Smithfield
Image: Lee’s Marketplace donation — Pete Krusi, Lee’s Marketplace store director, handing Mayor Chad Downs a $500 check raised as part of the store’s reusable bags program.

Lee’s Marketplace donation — Pete Krusi, Lee’s Marketplace store director, handing Mayor Chad Downs a $500 check raised as part of the store’s reusable bags program. (Kris Monson)

SMITHFIELD — After a public hearing Wednesday night, the City Council voted unanimously against the request for a rezone of property located at 200 South 600 West.

David Lillywhite, owner of the property, wanted the lot rezoned from 2-acre residential-agriculture to two 1-acre residential lots. During the hearing, neighbors to the property voiced their concerns about the proposal.

Jared Storrs, who owns adjoining property, said that this issue has come up many times and been turned down repeatedly. Storrs also said if the council voted to rezone it, it would open the possibility of many other people asking for the same thing.

Councilwoman Kris Monson agreed with Storrs, saying that if approved it would “open a can of worms that will not stop.”

Lillywhite said, “If it’s going to mess with someone’s family or lifestyle it doesn’t matter that much.”

The council also voted to award a contract for low voltage cabling at the new city office building to Robert Dibble Electric for the lowest bid of $20,600. Councilman Dennis Watkins brought up the question of including a convenient wireless connection. Council decided to wait to discuss this until they are ready to buy the actual hardware.

Council members also approved the Municipal Wastewater Planning Program Resolution. According to city manager James Gass it is not a required program, but will help improve the maintenance and safety of the city’s waste.

Lee’s Marketplace presented the council with a check for $500 to be used for the improvement and maintenance of the city’s trails.

Pete Krusi, store director at Lee’s Marketplace, explained that this money was raised from the store’s reusable bags program. Krusi said for every reusable bag filled when shopping, customers receive a wooden token, worth a nickel, to put in one of three containers for different programs benefiting the community.

The council also discussed adopting an identity theft prevention program. After receiving the resolution, council decided to review it more closely and talk about it in the next meeting.

Gass reported on the ongoing city projects, such as the construction of the new city office building. He said the cinder block walls would be going in Thursday, followed by the demolition of the old house next to the site in the coming weeks.

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Published in cooperation with the Hard News Cafe. Original story is here.