The final listening session looking for input on the future of Stone County's Planning and Zoning is coming up this week.

The session will be this week from 4:30-6:30 pm at the Blue Eye Library in advance of a ballot issue appearing on the April 7 Ballot to decide if the county will continue with Planning and Zoning. 

The original release from the Southwest Missouri Council of Governments, edited for date references, is below:

In partnership with the Southwest Missouri Council of Governments, Stone County a final public listening session to gather citizen input. We would like to hear from community members about the existing Zoning Regulations and how they could be improved to better reflect the values and character of Stone County and its residents.

This session is intended to provide residents, property owners, and business owners with an opportunity to share their experiences, concerns, and perspectives regarding existing zoning regulations and planning processes in Stone County. SMCOG will facilitate the sessions as a neutral third party, focusing on listening, understanding community values, and identifying areas where communication, clarity, or procedures may be improved.

The session are designed to help the County better understand community feedback and ensure that any future recommendations are informed by the voices of those who live and work in Stone County. SMCOG will also provide general educational information about the purpose of planning and zoning, and how these tools are commonly used by local governments.

The final listening session will be this Thursday March 26 from 4:30-6:30PM at the Blue Eye Area Library, 138 State Highway EE, Blue Eye, MO.

The listening session will be informal, come-and-go events with no formal presentations. Community members are encouraged to attend at any point during the two-hour window, as their schedules allow. The Stone County Commissioners and SMCOG staff will be available throughout the session to listen, answer general questions, and collect feedback in a conversational setting.

For those unable to attend in person, an online questionnaire will also be available to provide input at StoneCountyListens.org

By deepening collaboration between the public and County leadership, the County aims to create clearer, more consistent regulations and streamline review processes. These improvements will better support residents, property owners, and businesses, while enhanced services will improve public understanding of regulations and encourage meaningful participation in planning decisions. This effort will help to ensure responsible growth while protecting property rights and the natural beauty of Stone County.

The Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SMCOG) is a Regional Planning Commission and an association of local governments in a ten-county area of southwest Missouri. SMCOG serves Barry, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Lawrence, Polk, Stone, Taney, and Webster counties. SMCOG is one of 19 active regional planning organizations throughout Missouri.

All comments and questions should be directed to Thomas Hughes by email at ThomasHughes@MissouriState.edu.