The Smithfield Town Council, on Feb. 7, approved a businessman’s request to convert a historic home on Main Street into commercial office space.

John “Tim” Ryan, owner of the real estate firm Spearpoint Investment Group, applied for a special use permit in December for non-residential use of the property.

Spearpoint purchased the house in November, and, according to Ryan, plans to lease it to a tenant.

Commercial uses were already permitted at the house “by right,” according to Tammie Clary, the town’s director of planning and community development, meaning ordinarily no approval from Town Council would have been needed. But because the use was changing from residential, a special-use permit was required, she explained.

According to Ryan’s submitted application, the business will employ three to five people and will have “minimal foot traffic” entering on a day-to-day basis. Visitors and employees will use public parking as available.

The appearance of the brick building, which is currently painted blue and white, will not change save for a small sign affixed to the exterior.