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Smithfield council denies proposed downtown zoning text amendment after public hearing
Summary
The Smithfield Town Council voted on March 4, 2025, to deny a proposed text amendment to the downtown neighborhood residential (DNR) zoning ordinance that would have allowed developers to seek waivers of the 5-units-per-acre density limit through a special-use permit.
SMITHFIELD — The Smithfield Town Council voted on March 4, 2025, to deny a proposed text amendment to the downtown neighborhood residential (DNR) zoning ordinance that would have added a waiver of the ordinance’s 5-units-per-acre maximum density as a condition eligible for a special-use permit.
Supporters of the amendment said it would allow infill residential development that better matches existing neighborhood scale and would not automatically change base zoning; opponents said the change risks setting a precedent that could accelerate higher-density development across the historic district.
The amendment was introduced by an applicant who presented a conceptual infill project bounded by Clay, James and Washington streets, calling the proposal “James Street Park” and saying the requested text change was needed to reach…
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