Smithfield council approves sidewalk bricks, land dedication and $902,000 toward county intersection project; vendors press for permanent farmers market home

Smithfield’s Town Council on Dec. 3 approved multiple routine and capital items and heard extensive public comment pressing for a permanent home for the Smithfield Farmers Market.

The council voted to approve two consent items (a $500,000 appropriation to Isle of Wight County for a water and sewer agreement and several invoices over $20,000), accepted the deeded dedication of roughly 17.458 acres from the Mallory Point developer, approved an amendment to Mallory Point proffers that allows a single‑lane roundabout with right‑of‑way reserved for future expansion, and authorized a $902,000 town contribution toward the Ben’s Church Boulevard–Turner Drive transportation project being advanced with Isle of Wight County and VDOT.

The public comment period was dominated by market vendors and downtown business owners who described the Mistletoe Market as a major economic boost and urged council support for a permanent market structure at the Grange site. Vendors and market leadership cited safety and weather concerns at the bank parking‑lot location and asked for town help with utilities, shade and long‑term stability. “For the 24–25 fiscal year, your funding of $15,809 will enable us to provide comprehensive care for about 11 residents of the town of Smithfield,” Timothy Palmer, chair of the Western Tidewater Free Clinic, told council while describing the clinic’s work and thanking the town for its support.

During public comment the Cypress Creek Homeowners Association pressed the town to enforce amenities shown on the development’s approved site plan, saying the developer has not built promised features. “The developer…reduced by half the number of amenities that they would provide in the conceptual plan,” said Russ McConnell, vice president of the HOA. Town attorney Riddick said staff had met with the developer, who committed to resolve outstanding punch‑list items, but noted unresolved HOA concerns and that the HOA has been advised by counsel not to accept deeded recreational facilities until the issues are fixed; the town holds a defect bond reportedly in the neighborhood of $600,000.

Council discussion of consent items included a lengthy exchange about a Mallory Point proffer that originally contemplated a two‑lane roundabout. Planning staff and VDOT reviewed the traffic analysis and recommended a single‑lane roundabout with sufficient right‑of‑way dedicated to allow a future expansion if traffic warrants it. After debate Councilman Pack moved to approve the amendment; the motion carried with one ‘no’ vote from Councilman Harris.

On a separate infrastructure matter, county and town staff described a $7.6 million transportation package for the Turner Drive corridor that combines state grants, county funds and developer contributions. Isle of Wight County’s administrator, Randy Keaton, said state and county grants exceed $3.2 million and that the county will front certain developer‑reimbursable costs; the town was asked to commit $902,000. After questions about cost‑benefit and the distribution of long‑term benefits, council voted to make the town contribution.

Votes at a glance: the council approved the appropriation to Isle of Wight County ($500,000) and invoices over $20,000 (C1 and C4) by recorded roll call; it approved the Mallory Point proffer amendment (C2) with one dissenting vote; it accepted the Mallory Point 17.458‑acre dedication/deed (C3); it approved a $22,400 brick paver alternate for the county sidewalk project; and it voted to contribute $902,000 toward the Ben’s Church Boulevard–Turner Drive transportation project.

Council and staff noted next steps on several items: staff will request a written commitment from the Mallory Point developer to provide promised amenities for HOA and counsel; the county will continue project design with VDOT on the transportation work and pursue reimbursement from developer contributions as projects are approved; and tourism and police will publish the traffic plan for the Dec. 14 Christmas parade (including a temporary, one‑way bridge reversal to help clear traffic).

The meeting closed with thanks to outgoing members and a reminder that a newly elected council will be seated next month.