Developer’s Main Street plans unveiled
Sid Millspaugh, who is planning to develop three projects in Smithville, reached out to a local community group this month to discuss his proposals for Main Street.
Millspaugh presented preliminary drawings with basic specifications and colored renditions of the buildings as they would appear on Main Street, which he also presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission at its meeting Tuesday.
Millspaugh is seeking two height variances for his projects. The commission will forward its recommendation to the City Council, which will decide to approve or deny the variance Monday.
If Millspaugh builds out his three proposed projects, they would add 14 condominiums, 16 apartments, 36 hotel rooms, a café, about 14,600 square feet of retail space and more than 100 parking spaces in three parking garages.
To build as shown in his preliminary drawings, he will need a height variance for two of the buildings. Attendees at the presentation expressed mixed feelings about the size of the construction, in terms of both height and lot coverage.
With his plans for four-story buildings at both corners of First and Main streets, Millspaugh will be seeking a height variance allowing up to 47 feet for the property at 100 Main St.
City ordinance caps building height at 35 feet.
In his presentation, Millspaugh said that he would probably need to build 43 feet high, but would ask for extra feet in case construction safety needs require more height.
The fourth-floor condominiums, set back from the street so they wouldn’t be visible, would have rooftop patios. The building will also include 6,000 square feet of retail space on the lower floor and a parking garage to the rear with a central courtyard, according to the plans.
The building would be covered in red brick on both the Main and First streets sides per city ordinance and would include historic details to match other buildings on Main Street.
Entrance to the parking garage is planned to be through the alley.
Millspaugh said that though the preliminary drawings don’t reflect it, the building facades would be different every 27 feet, keeping the look and feel of the buildings on Main Street.
The other corner at 100 Main Street is for a 35-room boutique hotel and café, also to be covered in red-brick masonry. It would have about 8,000 square feet of retail space and house 22 inside parking spaces. He would also construct 35 parking spots across the street at 100 Main St.
The four-story building’s top two floors would be recessed so they wouldn’t be seen from below. It’s proposed to be built in the future and Millspaugh is not yet seeking any variances.
The third project is a seven-condominium building with retail on the ground floor at 210 Main St., at the former Maney Opera House. That building would be three stories and about the same height as the opera house, and offer around 1,600 square feet of retail space.
Millspaugh said he wasn’t interested in more restaurants; instead he hopes to attract businesses such as clothing stores and other services not well represented in town.
Attendees at the presentation said they were pleased with Millspaugh’s knowledge of the town and the history of the locations. In discussions afterward, they said they also liked the historical look of the construction.
However, several people expressed doubts about the size of the structures. Others voiced concerns about the potential for flooding in the area, since the new buildings would cover the entire area.