Because of Smithville’s limited current supply of employment centers and commercial tax base, we recommend allowing for the opportunity to attract industrial, flex, or office user(s) that provide city benefits aligned with goals set forth in the Comprehensive Plan. The Future Land Use Map contains an overlay in the 169 South and 169 Industrial Characters to allow these types of uses.

Based on market conditions, higher density residential developments may feature construction up to six stories in height. Higher density may also be achieved by allowing higher dwelling units per acre to accommodate market demand, creating vibrant activity at the southern end of the city.

Smithville’s Downtown may accommodate a wider-range of uses into the future, including mixed-use typologies with residential units above the commercial ground-floor uses or mid-rise residential uses.

Although we recommend planning for additional housing typologies for the next ten years, the strong single-family housing market is expected to continue into the future in Smithville and should be planned for over the next ten years. This development pattern will be targeted towards opportunities to connect into Smithville’s developing trail network and clustered to minimize sprawling impacts.

Smithville Lake serves as a unique asset in the city and a strong opportunity to capture increased visitor spending to support local businesses in Smithville. Enhancing the control over recreational assets, such as areas near the Lake, can help strengthen Smithville’s tax base and fund additional recreational uses in the future while celebrating these land uses.

To retain and celebrate Smithville’s Small-Town Feel, identifying green space and agricultural areas to protect for the next ten years will help the city towards its path as a modern Community Oasis. These conservation spaces include important buffers and view shields throughout the city and in, or near, all Character Areas.

Proposed trail networks, such as the MetroGreen trails, are identified in or near all of the Character Areas. As uses develop near these networks, there are additional opportunities to help these trails become a reality. The proposed Future Uses encourage pedestrian and bicycle networks from the northern to the southern areas of Smithville connecting residents throughout the city.