Planning Commission Minutes 06-02-2015City oVanBuren, f Arkansas
Municipal Annex
111 North 12"' Street • Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
June 2, 2015
The Van Buren Planning Commission held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at 5:30
P.M., in the City Council Room of the Municipal Complex.
Members Present — Chairman Andy Dibble, Vice Chairman Philip Bagby, Mark Evans, Jay White,
Jason Myers, Lynne Graham, Scott Morgan and John Symonds.
Members Absent: Tiffany Webster.
Others Present- Planning Assistant Julie Copple, Building Inspector David Martin and Jennifer
McKinney.
The first item on the agenda was to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. A motion was
made by Scott Morgan and seconded by Mark Evans to approve the minutes. The motion was
approved unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was to update and approve sidewalk specifications from the sidewalk
work study group. Chairman Andy Dibble stated that the sidewalk committee met on Wednesday to
discuss and address some of the concerns from the public mentioned at the last meeting. Scott
Morgan stated we are in-line with surrounding cities such as Fort Smith and Northwest Arkansas
concerning sidewalks 5 foot width and other specifications, and he'd like to have a consistent
standard throughout the whole city. After more discussion among the commissioners, the following
changes will be made:
1. Add phrase on sidewalk specifications for Van Buren "All work shall be performed in
conformance with the latest American Concrete Institute specifications, per the attached City of Van
Buren Standard Drawings for Sidewalks and Handicap Ramps and latest adopted building code.
2. On the Sidewalk Specifications, #3 Width: Add "City of Van Buren, Standard Cross Sections,
page 4."
3. Number the pages of the Standard Drawings for Sidewalks and Handicap Ramps diagrams (page
1-3) and Standard Cross Section diagram (page 4)
4. A variance will be considered and reviewed if deemed necessary.
5. Standard Drawings of Sidewalks and Handicap Ramps drawings match the written sidewalk
specifications.
Motion to recommend accepting sidewalk specifications with noted changes by Jason Myers and
seconded by John Symonds. The motion was approved unanimously.
1 Next item on the agenda was discussion of building permit fees for sidewalks. Building Inspector
David Martin spoke to the commission and suggested a flat fee, instead of a percentage. Chairman
Andy Dibble would like an estimate of the level of effort to get a building from permit to
occupancy. How many trips for a new residential, new commercial/industrial, residential remodel,
commercial/industrial remodel, or some other scenario. Just so we have some kind of reference
point/baseline for discussion next month. Chairman Dibble stated he will speak with Mayor
Freeman to make sure he is on board with how sidewalks will be paid.
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Philip Bagby and seconded by John Symonds to adjourn.
The motion was approved unanimously.
Andy Dibble, Chairman
Joe Hurst, Planning Director