Commission clears preliminary plat for downtown Smith Street multifamily and retail project

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to approve the preliminary plat for the Smith Street multifamily addition on Oct. 1, a project the applicant described as a 385-unit, five-story wrap with about 10,000 square feet of street-level retail and a structured parking garage.

Artie Weeden Rodriguez told commissioners the development has a site plan that meets the Downtown (D) zoning standards for Lot 1, Block 1, while Lot 1, Block 2 remains conceptual and therefore part of a preliminary plat filing. Nash Thomas, representing the applicant, said construction financing is approved and the team hopes to submit permits in November with construction anticipated to begin in January.

"This is a large project and because it was zoned, this is your first time maybe hearing about it," Thomas said, noting the development sits adjacent to Catherine Rose Park and newly constructed soccer fields. Staff recommended approval with written conditions from DRC; Commissioner Lambert moved to approve with conditions and the motion passed unanimously.

The preliminary plat establishes a new Smith Street right-of-way and an access easement to create the legally required second point of access for record lots. Staff said written conditions must be addressed before final platting and engineering reviews.