Planning Commission Minutes 07-07-2015city of V Buren, Arkansas
Municipal Annex
1 1 1 North 12" Street • Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
July 7, 2015
The Van Buren Planning Commission held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 7, 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, Tiffany Webster, Scott Morgan and John Symonds.
Member Absent: Lynne Graham. Others Present- Planning Director Joe Hurst, Planning Assistant
Julie Copple, Building Inspector David Martin, City Attorney Candice Settle, Andy Greenwood,
Bryan Smallwood, Brian Gary, Jennifer McKinney, George Cole, Kevin Bell, Jim Petty, Billy Laster,
Lola Brown, Peggy Lewis, James Saggs.
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 John Symonds to approve the minutes. The motion was
approved unanimously.
The next item was public hearing for rezone application for Andy Greenwood, McGee Addition,
Lots 4, 5 & 6, Walnut and 14`h Street, from R-3 to C-2. Mr. Greenwood stated to the commission
his business of plumbing and excavating has outgrown his current location, and he needed to
expand. He purchased the lots stated in the rezone application and was planning to build a
commercial building around 100' by 100' to move equipment, and for storage.
Chairman Dribble asked if there was anyone present who would like to address the commission
concerning the rezone.
Bryan Gary, Deacon of New Hope Baptist Church, located on 14`h street, stated to the commission
he does not agree with the rezone. Mr. Gary stated the business is unsightly for neighborhood with
too many trucks and salvage materials in a residential neighborhood. He also stated that he feels a
commercial business will hurt the growth of his church and neighborhood. Mr. Gary opposes the
rezone.
Billy J. Laster, owns property on 14`h and Chestnut Street. Mr. Laster is concerned about the salvage
and large trucks allowed with the C-2 zoning. He is also concerned about the children in the
neighborhood that would be affected by increased traffic of the trucks. Mr. Laster plans to build
apartments on his lot and feels the rezone to C-2 would affect that plan. Mr. Laster opposes rezone.
Commissioner Mark Evans stated if you look at our city zoning plans, all of the C-2 zoning is along
the highway, with only maybe one block away staying C-2, after that it is residential. Mr. Evans
stated the growth of the business has grown out of the C-2 definition and fits more into the I-1 or I-
2 zoning. Mr. Evans also stated the commission would be going against the master plan of the city
if they approved the change from R-3 to C-2. He stated it would destroy the fabric of the
neighborhood.
Commissioner Scott Morgan stated that he agrees with Commissioner Evans. He stated that he
drove by and looked at the area and noticed the big trucks, and it doesn't fit with the neighborhood.
Motion to disapprove rezone application by Mark Evans and seconded by Scott Morgan. Tiffany
Webster, John Symonds, Jason Myers and Jay White approved motion, Chairman Dibble abstained
from voting, and Vice Chairman Philip Bagby was not in favor of motion to disapprove rezone.
The request to rezone to C-2 has been denied. Chairman Andy Dibble stated to Mr. Greenwood
that he could appeal the motion to city council if he wanted to move forward
The next item on the agenda is the sidewalk specification approval. Chairman Andy Dibble opened
the floor to the public for discussion concerning sidewalk specifications.
Kevin Bell stated he was for sidewalks, but would like to remove the requirement with #11(b)
"Time of Construction: "Within five (5) years after the construction plans are approved." He is
okay with (a) `Before the issuance of building permits for eighty percent (80%) of the lots on the
block." Mr. Bell stated they are only building a few lots a year, not subdivisions. He also stated
sidewalks are needed more in existing subdivisions.
Jim Petty stated he needed clarifications on a few specifications. #3. Right of way? Inside or outside
of city right of way? And item#4. Sub -grade: density testing. Who would do the testing? Expense?
Scheduling of the testing, etc.
The following are amendments made to the sidewalk specifications:
1. Add under ACI statement: "Per the attached City of Van Buren standard drawings and per
latest adopted building code."
2. Add the word "inside" right of way on #3.
3. Add reference note to drawing #4 Cross Sections under sidewalk specifications #3. Width.
4. Strike 11. Time of Construction (b) Within five (5) years after the construction plans are
approved."
5. Remove part of #4.: "A density test shall be taken at a frequency no less than one (1) per lot
or one (1) every eighty (80) linear feet, whichever is greater. Add after the word density; "or
approved by the city building inspector."
6. Add #13.: Acceptance by the City: Acceptance of the sidewalk section by the city shall be
upon issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the structure of the lot where the sidewalk is
installed. If multiple lots purchased from the developer by one party but not built upon,
sidewalk construction shall still be rounded for each lot.
7. Incorporate wording from Variances, Remodeling and new development into sidewalk
ordinance.
City Attorney Candice Settle asked the commission to attach amendments to the sidewalk
specifications be attached to the minutes.
A motion was made by Jason M
id seconded by Mark Evans to adjourn. The motion was
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Joe urst, Planning Director