Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Smithfield council raises EGOD hotel room limit to 150 amid debate over traffic and public safety
Summary
The Town Council voted 3–2 to amend the EGOD overlay so hotels may have up to 150 rooms by right. Supporters said the change enables a 122‑room extended‑stay prototype and activates a long‑vacant parcel; opponents raised concerns about police calls, traffic and transient occupancy.
Smithfield’s Town Council voted 3–2 on Tuesday to raise the by‑right maximum hotel‑room threshold in the Economic Growth Overlay District (EGOD) from 100 to 150 rooms, clearing the way for an extended‑stay hotel developer who said the change is needed for its prototype building.
The amendment is a numeric change to the EGOD table of uses; planning staff said other development standards — setbacks, parking, height and lot coverage — remain unchanged. The applicant’s attorney, John C. Revens Jr., told the council the amendment solely changes the allowable maximum by right and that a development proposal would still need to pass the planning department’s development‑plan…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
