At the Aug. 12 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, city staff delivered a development update covering rezoning requests, new subdivisions, commercial proposals and building-permit activity across Smithville.

Staff told commissioners that a range of proposals are at various stages: a rezoning request for a small triangular parcel on Main Street where a developer proposes roughly 10 rental cabins; a new subdivision near the Burger King that will create three lots (one approx. 1 acre, one about 2 acres, and a remaining larger parcel) that has drawn interest from AutoZone and Les Schwab Tires through a TIF-related land purchase process; and a new business expected to lease space from an RV storage facility and eventually develop a site on East 148th Street, bringing an estimated 40 jobs.

City staff reported that a previously anticipated application for 252 apartments in four buildings at Fairview has been withdrawn: “Apparently, they have pulled the plug on it,” staff said, and the property owner is pursuing a second interested party. Staff also said construction continues on phase 2 of Fairview South and on a TIF project across the street that remains on track to meet a completion deadline required by its TIF agreement.

Other updates included:
- A conceptual plat that expired years ago (formerly called River Place) has been purchased and a new developer is preparing a different layout; staff expects rezoning and preliminary plat applications in October or possibly November.
- A subdivision called Clay Creek Meadows is preparing infrastructure work (water, sewer, street, storm) and a rehabilitation of the Diamond Crest pump station; staff anticipate about 13 building-permit applications on the north side of that development in the near term.
- The city has received certified-letter notices for property owners as required for the overlay-area proceeding; staff noted one recent land purchase south of the water tower (roughly a 40-acre frontage) by an out-of-state buyer who may seek to market parcel(s) when overlay rules are finalized.

Staff did not present any rezoning applications or votes at the meeting; the commission approved the July minutes at the start of the session and then opened the overlay discussion with consultants. No public commenters attended the advertised overlay hearing; staff opened and closed the public hearing before the presentation. Staff said the project website and timeline are available on the city’s webpage for public review.

The commission did not take formal action on any of the development proposals discussed; staff encouraged developers to follow existing subdivision and building-code processes and said the city will return future applications to commission for formal review as required.