Two apartment buildings in the works in Smithville after zoning change OK’d

Two apartment complexes soon could go up in Smithville.

The city is in the initial stages of an agreement for new apartment housing after the City Council unanimously approved a zoning change from single-family to multifamily at its September council meeting.

The city’s Planning and Zoning commission recommended approval.

Preliminary plans drawn up by Danze & Davis Architects include two 12-unit apartment complexes with one-, twoand three-bedroom options to be built on four lots at Southeast Second Street and Gentry Street, one block north of Martin Luther King Boulevard.

One unit would be built first with the second started after the first phase of the project is complete, said Eric Christophe, the builder on behalf of owner Doris Sampson.

The bottom units will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, but not the second floor because an elevator is not in the plans, Christophe said.

In the plans are landscaping and a sidewalk around the property.

Christophe said the apartments would not be subsidized housing.

There were no resident comments on the apartment plans during the public portion of the council meeting.

Council members asked questions and spoke about making sure there was enough room for the required two designated parking spaces per unit before they addressed the zoning request.

Mayor Scott Saunders said that per city ordinance, two spaces would need to be designated handicapped.

Christophe said that while the parking plans were in revision stage, he does plan to ask for a variance so that a row of angled parking may be built along the rear of the property with access through the alley.

City Manager Robert Tamble said that before construction could begin, the developer must submit a finalized plat to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council for review and approval.

He said the process could take up to 45 days.