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The Smithville Historic Preservation and Design Standards Advisory Committee

The Smithville Historic Preservation and Design Standards Advisory Committee was created during the 2011-2012 Smithville Comprehensive Plan process. This Advisory Committee was established because many of the individuals who attended those Comprehensive Plan meetings supported the concept of “smart for us” growth and development. Economic Development surveys have also shown that it is important to our community that Smithville maintains its historic, small town character, especially as Smithville becomes more successful in attracting new residents and businesses.

The main objective in forming this Committee was to encourage property owners to consider historic preservation and designs as they make decisions to purchase and/or renovate historic structures, and to encourage compatible design in new structures.

The Advisory Committee reports to the Smithville City Council and is comprised of representatives from the Smithville Heritage Society, the Richard D. Latham Cultural District, and the Chamber of Commerce, as well as six at-large community members. The first two organizations represent the community in the fields of preservation, history, and design, to ensure that the Smithville’s character is not compromised. The Chamber of Commerce represents business interests, to ensure that no standards or guidelines are too onerous for current business owners or too restrictive for prospective business owners. The six at-large members provide additional expertise to the Advisory Committee. These members are knowledgeable about the community and its history, as well as offer some general knowledge about relevant Smithville ordinances and the construction process, and understand what it takes to maintain historic buildings. 

Advisory Committee Tasks

  • Provide recommendations to the City Council when developers or property owners submit requests for a Smithville Certificate of Appropriateness (COA);
  • Review existing design guidelines and examples of design features that should be protected, encouraged, and discouraged with CA applicants;
  • Assist the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) through the EPIC program, ensuring that any contractors working in the historic districts are taking adequate precautions to protect our historic resources (similar requests to assist in similar functions with other projects/from other agencies will be considered in the future at the request of the Mayor and/or City Manager); and
  • Review applications to the “City Historical Marker” program.

Resources and Information

The Texas Historic Commission's guidance for preservation and sustainability is a great wealth of information, including links to resources and potential funding opportunities, for people interested in preserving history in their community.

The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties provides guidance to the owners of historic buildings to help them maintain and support their historic structures.

THC also provides a report on the Economic Impact of Historic Preservation in Texas for more information about the importance of preservation.

For more information about tax credits, see:

Documents Related to the HPDS

On July 8, 2019, the Smithville City Council approved the "Smithville Historic Commercial District Architectural Design Standards"

Certificate of Appropriateness

HPDS Board Guidelines and Procedures

City Historical Marker Program

Public Participation Logistics

Smithville Historic Residential District Map

Smithville Historic Commercial District Map

 

Agendas and Meeting Minutes

September 20, 2023 Agenda/Packet / Minutes will be updated after they have been approved by HPDS

July 19, 2023 Agenda / Packet / Minutes will be updated after they have been approved by HPDS

May 19, 2023 Agenda / Packet / May 19, 2023 Minutes

April 19, 2023 Agenda / Packet / April 19, 2023 Minutes

February 15, 2023 Agenda and Packet / February 15, 2023 Minutes

October 27, 2022 Agenda and Packet / October 27, 2022 Minutes

September 21, 2022 Agenda / September 21,  2022 Minutes

April 20, 2022 Agenda / April 20, 2022 Minutes 

May 19, 2021 Agenda / May 19, 2021 Minutes

April 21, 2021 AgendaApril 21, 2021 Minutes

November 18, 2020 Agenda / November 18, 2020 Minutes

Special Called Meeting November 4, 2020 Agenda / November 5, 2020 Minutes 

July 15, 2020 Agenda / July 15, 2020 Minutes 

March 18, 2020 Agenda (Meeting was canceled due to COVID-19 -- no minutes from this meeting)

February 19, 2020 Agenda / February 19, 2020 Minutes

December 18, 2019 Agenda / December 18, 2019 Minutes

October 16, 2019 Agenda / October 16, 2019 Minutes

September 18, 2019 Agenda / September 18, 2019 Minutes

October 17, 2018 Agenda / October 17, 2018 Minutes

September 24, 2018 Agenda / September 24, 2018 Minutes

May 3, 2018 Agenda / May 3, 2018 Minutes

March 26, 2018 Agenda / March 26, 2018 Minutes

February 26, 2018 Agenda / February 26, 2018 Minutes

February 8, 2018 Agenda / February 8, 2018 Minutes

January 22, 2018 Agenda  /  January 22, 2018 Minutes

October 23, 2017 Agenda / October 23, 2017 Minutes

October 16, 2017 Agenda / October 16, 2017 Minutes

September 28, 2017 Agenda  /  Informational meeting only, no minutes were recorded

August 28, 2017 Agenda / August 28, 2017 Minutes

Alerts

Extended Burn Ban Order: 9/14-10/10/23

The extended Burn Ban Order approved in Commissioners Court on 9/11/2023. The extended Order will go into effect on, September 14, 2023, at 5:00 PM, and...

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ERCOT issues Conservation Appeal

TXANS Update—August 24, 2023: ERCOT has issued a Conservation Appeal for today, Aug. 24, from 3 – 10 p.m. due to extreme temperatures, continue...

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Burn Ban Extended

Burn Ban has been extended through September 14, 2023.

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City Calendar

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