Following a lengthy public hearing, the Smithfield Town Council has signed off on plans for a new mixed use development on Buffalo Road about 300 feet south of Booker Dairy Road in North Smithfield.
Frank Lee received unanimous approval to rezone four adjacent tracts of land totaling 6.8 acres to allow for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) that would include a gas station/convenience store with 3 apartment buildings with a total of 24 one- to three-bedroom apartments. There would also be commercial office space with “Main Street type” coffee shops, ice cream shops, and similar businesses.
In March, Mr. Lee had requested permission to rezone the property but did not disclose how it would be used. The council rejected the request 5-to-2.
The current plans were approved 6-0. Councilman Emery Ashley was not at the meeting.
Lee has an option on the four parcels currently owned by Mable Wallace Hamilton, Brian Thomas Grant and Thomas Hamilton Grant.
Retired Smithfield Planning Director Paul Embler represented Lee at the June 5th council meeting. Embler would not confirm rumors a Sheetz store would be locating at the site near Smithfield Middle School and the State Employees Credit Union.
