Between Austin, San Antonio, Houston & Bryan/College Station
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
April 20, 2022 Agenda / Minutes will be uploaded after they have been approved by HPDS
May 19, 2021 Agenda / May 19, 2021 Minutes
April 21, 2021 Agenda / April 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
