An organization is teaming up with the Stone County Government to get citizen input ahead of a vote to determine the future of Planning and Zoning.

The Southwest Missouri Council of Governments will host three listening session for feedback on how they feel and what they would like to see in future regulations should voters elect to keep Planning and Zoning in place. A  ballot question for voters to consider on the April 7 Ballot is do they wish to see Planning and Zoning continue moving forward. 

The complete release from the SMCOG is below:

In partnership with the Southwest Missouri Council of Governments, Stone County will host three public listening sessions 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.

These sessions are 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 sessions 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.

These listening sessions will be:
• March 9, 2026 - 4:30-6:30PM – Crane Middle School
209 Pirate Ln, Crane, MO 65633
• March 10, 2026 - 4:30-6:30PM - New Testament Christian Church
21016 Main St, Reeds Spring, MO 65737
• March 26, 2026 - 4:30-6:30PM – Blue Eye Area Library
138 State Highway EE, Blue Eye, MO 65611

These listening sessions 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 each 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.