Jan. 20. By Dave Vieser. The Cornelius Town Board has established a review process for the final draft of the Smithville Revitalization Plan.

The outline of the process followed a detailed overview of the plan provided by Willie Jones of the Smithville Community Coalition during this week’s Town Board meeting.

The plan calls for workforce housing, rehabilitation of existing properties and subdividing some properties in the historically black subdivision just east of I-77.

Under the review procedure, the draft plan will be referred to the town Planning Board, the Architectural Review Board, Parks and Recreation Commission, the Mayor’s Housing Study Committee and the Town Manager.

“Once everyone has had an opportunity to review the plan and make recommendations it will come back to the Town Board for a final review,” said Deputy Town Manager Wayne Herron.

The four major requests to the town accompanying the plan are to:

1. Approve the land use plan for the Smithville section of Cornelius.
2. Approve their request for $6.8 million in American Rescue Act funds.
3. Donate seven parcels owned by the town, worth $425,000
4. Support the coalition’s request to Mecklenburg County for $5.2 million in American Rescue Act funds.

Mayor Woody Washam commended Jones and the SCC report. “The process has begun; we’re off to a good start,” he said.