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 and charm, 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 Lost Pines Artisans' Alliance, 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. All at-large members must live in or own a business in Smithville. These members are knowledgeable about the community and its history and understand what it takes to maintain historic buildings. All have access to information about ordinances and construction techniques related to any given project they may be asked to review.
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 COA 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);
- Review applications to the “City Historical Marker” program; and
- Provide information and develop educational information as it relates to preservation and historic buildings in Smithville, especially in the Historic Commercial District.
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 / July 19, 2023 Minutes
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 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
