PC Minutes 12-03-2024City of Van Buren, Arkansas
Planning Department
1003 Broadway • Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
December 03, 2024
I. Call To Order/Boll Call. The Van Buren Planning Commission held its monthly meeting
on Tuesday, December 03, 2024, at 5:30 P.M. The meeting was held at the Van Buren Municipal
Complex in the City Council Chambers. The following Commissioners were present: Chairman
Mark Evans, Vice -Chairman Philip Bagby, Jared Clark, Missy Hefner, Jason Myers, Mason
Shirey, and Nathan Wilson. Commissioners Tiffany Webster and Jay White were absent. City Staff
present were Planning Director Wally Bailey, City Inspector David Martin, Commission Secretary
Jennifer Willoughby, and Steve Dufresne & Chris Coombes of VBM J.
2. Approval Of Minutes From November O5, 2024. A motion to approve was made by
Commissioner Jason Myers and seconded by Commissioner Mason Shirey. The motion was
approved unanimously.
3. Variance #2-2024-45 Vista Hills Blvd —Wayne &Melanie Carson; Requesting
Variance From Front Yard Building Setback Requirements In R-1 Single Family Residential
District. A motion to approve variance request contingent upon front porch remaining open and
never being enclosed was made by Vice -Chairman Philip Bagby and seconded by Commissioner
Missy Hefner. Commissioners Jared Clark and Mason Shirey also approved the motion.
Commissioners Jason Myers and Nathan Wilson opposed the motion.
The Carsons porch is proposed to encroach into the front yard setback requirement by 9 feet. The
properly is located in the Vista Royale subdivision which was platted with a 30homy setback.
This is why the variance request is for 9 ft and not 4 ft. After much debate and concern over setting
precedent for future variance requests, the majority of the Commission voted to approve the
variance contingent that the porch shall never be enclosed (including no lattice on the sides).
4. Amendment To Ord. No. 31-20:l8 Regarding Animals And Fowl Inside City Limits —
Jim Jones; Amend To Prohibit Roosters In City Limits. A motion to recommend to city council
an ordinance amendment to prohibit roosters in city limits was made by Commissioner Jason
Myers and seconded by Vice -Chairman Philip Bagby. The motion was approved unanimously.
1of2
The Commission asked Mr. Bailey to begin a discussion about changing the city ordinance to
prohibit roosters after the November 2024 meeting when they heard from a citizen with concerns
about roosters in the city limits. Mr. Bailey conducted a survey of some neighboring and regional
cities on whether or not they have restrictions on roosters in their city limits. Mr. Bailey presented
that information to the Commission. The Commission voted to recommend changing the ordinance
to prohibit roosters in city limits.
5. Old/New Business.
6. Adjourn. A motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Jason Myers and seconded by
Commissioner Mason Shirey. The motion was approved unanimously.
Mark vans, Chairman
Wally Bailey, Planning Director
2of2