Planning Commission Minutes 04-07-2015C ity of Van Buren, Arkansas
Municipal Annex
111 North 12'h Street • Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
April 7, 2015
The Van Buren Planning Commission held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at 5:30 P.M.,
in the City Council Room of the Municipal Complex.
Members Present - Mark Evans, Scott Morgan, John Symonds, Jason Myers and Jay White.
Members Absent: Chairman Andy Dibble, Vice Chairman Philip Bagby, Lynne Graham and Tiffany
Webster.
Others Present- Joseph Hurst Planning Director, Planning Assistant Julie Copple, Building Inspector
David Martin, Lonnie London, Wayne Sandusky, Jim Petty, Jennifer McKinney, Jessica Allen, Darrel
Sparkman, Chapen Rucker, Justin Louts, Ken Fry and Justin Bates.
Commissioner Scott Morgan opened meeting because Chairman Dibble's father had passed away. The
first item on the agenda was to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. A motion was made by
John Symonds and seconded by Jason Meyers to approve the minutes. The motion was approved
unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was the discussion review of new sidewalk regulations and specifications.
Scott Morgan explained the working subcommittee and how it was established by the Planning
Commission. This effort has been driven by public comment.
Open discussion:
Scott Morgan - Committee reviewed a number of examples of sidewalk specifications from other cities
around Arkansas. What would fit for Van Buren? Residential, Commercial and cross sections defined.
David Martin - Item# 11. Sidewalks must be built within 5 years. Northridge was brought up. Developed
slowly. If there is a two lot subdivision — sell and leave, who is responsible for building sidewalk? Bond
or require the sidewalk to be built before the certificate of occupancy would be the solution. Why not
require sidewalks to be built for all houses? Not just new subdivisions. Do sidewalks need to be required
in Industrial Park? John Symonds agrees with David concerning the 5 year issue; #11. Certificate of
occupancy not given until sidewalk completed.
Jennifer McKinney - Sidewalks are important. Needed on busy thoroughfares Hwy 59.
Jessica Allen - A lot of citizens concerned about Rena Rd. Anything going to be done? New apartments
going to be required? Safer for kids and community. Fayetteville Road needs sidewalks bad.
Joe Hurst — Working on grant for Rena Rd sidewalks. The plan is for Rena Road sidewalks to be
completed after the grant process. Hopefully, within this year.
Jason Meyers addressed Ms. Allen- Working group: sidewalk priority list. Addressed sidewalk issues in
phases: New/Existing. Categories; just working on the specifications. Low hanging fruit. Residential,
Commercial, Industrial need to be addressed individually. Subdivisions first. Schools get sidewalks first,
especially elementary. How does the city pay for sidewalks in established parts of town?
David Martin - Building permit process currently requires money paid into a sidewalk fund. 3 cents of the
j l Ocents of building permits go towards sidewalks. This is not enough.
Scott Morgan - City is working on a Priority List: Identify #I need for where to put sidewalks and then
funding. Looking at other cities and how then have done the sidewalks.
Jim Petty - Big cheerleader for sidewalks and trails. A few questions. Are these specs for everywhere?
Can't have one size fits all. Will ordinances fit all? Residential and Commercial? When do you do it, and
how? Who pays for it? 5'? Low side or high side. Old subdivisions, existing sidewalks? Where did that
come from? 95% standard proctor density is a bigger cost than what is realized? In reality for Van Buren
to fund and progress will be difficult. Think old and existing need to be addressed first. #1 priority. 6" vs
4" on driveway is too thick.
Kevin Bell - We need sidewalks. In 1996, Northridge got sidewalks. In 2001 and 2002, no problem
doing sidewalks. Solution for when the sidewalk needs to be done. Not one size fits all. Some areas need
them, and some don't.
Chapin Rucker - Where are you building the sidewalks? High side- low side of streets? One size should
not fit all: 3' sidewalk is fine for residential. 5' is too much, but maybe good for Rena Rd. Fiber mesh not
needed. How are you going to test the 95% standard proctor density? Built lots of houses. Good thing for
residence. What will you do if sidewalk is there and building new residence and construction ruins
existing sidewalk; or utilities need to tear it up? Lots of things to consider.
Justin Louts - Focus on sidewalks should be on main roads not in neighborhoods. #1 priority.
Darrell Sparkman - Sidewalks from 1988 are still good
Scott Morgan asked if there was any further discussion. None mentioned.
A motion was made by John Symonds and seconded by Jay White to adjourn. The motion was approved
unanimously.
15�2 Scott Morgan, Commissioner
Joe Hurst, Planning Director