Planning Commission Minutes 10-06-2015City oVanBuren, f Arkansas
Municipal Annex
111 North 12°' Street • Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
October 6, 2015
The Van Buren Planning Commission held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 6, 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,
Tiffany Webster and John Symonds.
Member Absent: Lynne Graham and Jason Myers.
Others Present- Planning Director Joe Hurst, Planning Assistant Julie Copple, Building Inspector
David Martin, City Attorney Candice Settle, Joseph Rupe, Jody's Auto Service, Kevin Bell, Jimmy
Bell Real Estate, Jennifer McKinney, Chad Brixey, Brixey Engineering and Mason Shirey, Jimmy Bell
Real Estate.
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 Jay White to approve the minutes. The motion was
approved unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was the Board of Adjustment for a public hearing on a variance at 1520
Fayetteville Rd, Jody's Auto Repair. Joseph Rupe, from Jody's Auto Service approached the podium
and explained to the commission his need for a 5'x10' awning over the entry door. Office signs will
be posted on awning since it is not cost prohibitive to move office to front of building. David
Martin, City Building Inspector, said the city ordinance states the front door must face the street of
the address. The Building Inspector advised the commission that the Fire Marshall would like the
address numbers on the west side of the building. Chairman Dibble advised Mr. Rupe that a
variance is needed for both address and awning. Mr. Rupe agreed to put address on west side. A
motion was made by Philip Bagby and seconded by Jay White to approve variance based on the
condition of the address being shown on west side of the building. The motion was approved
unanimously.
Next item on the agenda was the public hearing for rezone request for I- 40 and Bekaert Drive. Mr.
Kevin Bell, Jimmy Bell Real Estate and representative of Westridge, is requesting a rezone of four
parcels of property from C-2 and R-1 to I-2. There is a contract to sell the 338 plus acres to a group
out of Northwest Arkansas who plan on developing the property contingent on the rezoning to I-2.
Mr. Bell also stated there is also a 40 acre tract that is located outside of the city limits that is in the
process of getting a voluntary annexation into the city. Chairman Dibble asked for any questions
from the public. Mr. Jack Nielson approached the commission and asked what the original zoning
was for his property located by the parcels being rezoned and if the property was ever annexed. The
commission did not have the information to answer Mr. Nielson, and referred him to call the city
planning department for further insight. Mr. Joe Hurst, Planning Director, stated if we knew the
date of the annexation, we could look up the city ordinance to find out. A motion by Vice
Chairman Philip Bagby and seconded by Mark Evans to approve the rezone application. The
motion was approved unanimously.
The next item was review of preliminary plat Legacy Valley, Phase 4, 19 Lot subdivision plat. Mr.
Chad Brixey from Brixey Engineering approached the commission for questions concerning the
plat. Chairman Dibble asked Mr. Brixey if he had seen the Morrison -Shipley letter with comments
for minimum street and drainage standards. Mr. Brixey stated he has seen the recommendations and
has made the changes to the plat. Chairman Andy Dibble requested inlets on the west side of Dava
Circle and Bill Circle because of drainage concerns. The commission also recommended changing
the end of the street names from circle to street for continuity, police and fire protection. A motion
was made by Mark Evans and seconded by Tiffany Webster to approve preliminary plat on Legacy
Valley, Phase 4, contingent on changes recommended from Morrison -Shipley, street names changed
and the inlets. Vice Chairman Philip Bagby abstained from the vote. The motion was approved
unanimously.
Next on the agenda was other business. Planning Director Joe Hurst discussed the memorandum
on the school district sidewalk recommendations. Mr. Hurst stated the city council will discuss
budgeting at the October meeting, and also how to fund the sidewalks. Chairman Dibble stated the
commission would be glad to help with input or meeting with the city council. Planning Director
Joe Hurst stated there will be a need for the city council and the planning commission to meet in the
future. A motion was made by Philip Bagby and seconded by John Symonds to Adjourn. The
motion was approved unanimously.
Andy ibble, Chairman
Joe ffurst, Planning Director