Smithfield council approves comprehensive plan map amendment CA-25-01, guiding growth and industrial sites
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Summary
The council adopted comprehensive plan map amendments (CA-25-01) after staff presentations and public comment, updating guidance for four areas to encourage industrial/employment uses along corridors, refine mixed-use centers and add a small pedestrian-plan change.
The Town of Smithfield council voted to adopt a comprehensive plan map amendment (CA-25-01) that revises future land-use guidance for four areas across the town and its extra-territorial jurisdiction, aiming to align the town's growth guidance with recent rezonings, sewer availability and developer interest.
Planning staff (Michael) outlined the amendment during a public hearing, explaining the map series used in deliberations: the current map, staff's initial proposal, planning-board consensus and a final draft. The amendment guides portions of the northern ETJ near US 70 Business and the regional airport toward industrial/employment uses, retains pockets of medium-density housing where sewer capacity allows, and re-locates or clarifies mixed-use centers near the Buffalo Road interchange to improve site readiness for economic development.
Michael emphasized that the future land-use map is advisory and does not change zoning: "The future land use map is not concrete," he told the council, noting that rezoning (and public notification) would still be required before any parcel's zoning changes take effect.
Council and public discussion focused on sewer capacity, notification to residents, and potential site certification for industrial development. Staff said county sewer policy and a recently constructed pump station make certain northern parcels more feasible for industrial uses, and that site-certification interest has emerged for at least one tract discussed by the council.
After discussion, a motion recommending approval (including a minor pedestrian-plan change and specific edits for Area 3 and Area 4) was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. The motion directs staff to proceed with the adopted map guidance but preserves procedural steps for rezoning and required public notifications.
What this means: The adopted amendment guides land-use expectations to support industrial and mixed-use development where appropriate and preserves the standard rezoning process should developers seek regulatory changes. Staff said notifications and approvals would occur at the rezoning stage, not as an immediate result of the map change.
Votes and procedural note: the council approved CA-25-01 by voice vote after a public hearing and specific motions to adopt staff recommendations with edits.