City staff told the Smithfield City Council on Jan. 14 that a draft general-plan update is ready and has been publicly available on the city website since November. Staff urged the council to decide how to proceed, saying the draft could be the subject of a public hearing as early as March.

Council members recommended a timeline and process: council review in February with written questions gathered in a single document, JUB engineers (consultants) invited back to answer clarifying questions, a public hearing in March, and a vote in April if council members are satisfied with changes. One council member noted that adopting RA-1 rezones without a coordinated plan can create inconsistencies with the draft general-plan’s future land-use map, which in some sections recommends light-industrial or commercial designations.

Staff stressed that the general plan is a living guide and can be amended; members urged more citizen involvement and proposed smaller, issue-specific review committees or staggered updates to portions of the plan (for example, focusing on the Southwest corner). Council members asked staff to compile a shared document of questions and to provide consultant support at the February meeting.

Next steps: Staff requested council comments at least one week before the February meeting (suggested February 1 deadline) so consultants can prepare; the council agreed to review and return questions and to schedule a public hearing in March before taking a final vote.