Smithville P&Z approves variance to let fire‑damaged home be rebuilt in place and OKs minor replat

The Smithville Planning and Zoning Commission on June 2 unanimously approved a variance to allow homeowners at 1020 Wilkes Circle to rebuild their home in its original footprint and approved a separate minor replat to combine multiple lots into two parcels.

Agent Corey Max told the commission the home at 1020 Wilkes Circle suffered an electrical fire Jan. 19 that damaged roughly 50% of the structure. Because the damage crossed the 50% threshold, the property must be rebuilt to current code unless a variance is granted; Max said the owners seek a variance so they can rebuild the house where it previously sat rather than meet a larger (7.5 ft) setback he said the current code requires. "We're here today to apply for a variance to allow us to rebuild the structure exactly how it was," Max said.

Staff present cited ordinary practice of granting minor variances in similar hardship cases and noted the applicants had worked with staff and missed earlier posting deadlines by a narrow margin. A member of the fire department said denying the variance would create an unnecessary hardship and voiced support for the variance request. The commission moved, seconded and approved the variance by voice vote.

Later in the meeting, applicant Johnny Thomas Sr. described a minor replat to combine lots 6–10 of block 125 and related tracts into two approximately one‑acre lots so his sons can build single‑family homes. Commissioners asked staff to confirm a zoning map discrepancy noted during discussion — one parcel appears as industrial on the city's map while the application listed SF1 — and staff clarified that the replat body was approving the minor replat itself; any future residential construction on land currently mapped industrial would require separate zoning action or additional approvals. The commission approved the replat by unanimous voice vote.

What’s next: the variance approval allows the homeowners to pursue rebuilding (permits and inspections still required), and the replat will proceed to council/recording steps as the normal process dictates.