SMITHFIELD – In a unanimous vote, the Smithfield Town Council approved several changes to their Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), at the Nov. 12 meeting. The request was made by the Smithfield Planning staff.
Subdivision developers will now be required to install street lighting at all new intersections.
Parking requirements for all newly-approved restaurants in the city limits was tweaked. Previously, the town required one parking space per 150 sq. ft of enclosed floor area. The new rule will require one space per 3 seats, including outdoor seats.
Staff also received approval to increase the minimum lot size for new residential lots served by septic systems, with no public sewer, from 20,000 sq. ft. to 30,000 sq. ft. Lots not served by public water or public sewer, requiring an on-site well, has increased from 25,000 sq. ft. to 40,000 sq. ft. This is primarily for extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) areas outside the city limits but still subject to town regulations.
Staff also changed the language that already requires new “public” lots have minimum street frontage to now include new lots on “privately-owned” streets.
The Smithfield Planning Board previously reviewed the changes and recommended approval.
Sooo…size matters