Planning Commission Minutes May 2, 2017City of Van Buren, Arkansas
Municipal Annex
111 North 12' Street • Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
May 2, 2017
The Van Buren Planning Commission held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 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, John
Symonds, Jay White, Sam McCain and Jason Myers. Others Present -Joe Hurst, Planning Director,
Julie Copple, Planning Commission Secretary, Candice Settle, City Attorney, David and Jean
Schook, Ezra Pitchford, Ricky Hill, Satterfield Survey, Christine Nguyen, Mark Mackin, Larry Beam,
Jubilee Christian Church and Rusty Myers.
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 Sam McCain to approve the minutes. The motion was
approved unanimously.
Next item on the agenda was for approval of the final plat for Mackin Estates, Lots 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D
and 2A, Mark Mackin. Mt. Mackin approached the commission for questions concerning the final
plat. A motion was made by Mark Evans and seconded by Jason Myers to approve the final plat.
The motion was approved unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was for a public hearing on conditional use permit #1-2017, Larry
Beam, Jubilee Christian Center, 1901 Liberty Lane. The request was for permission to use the facility
for a Day Care operation during the week. They currently have 5 enrolled and have petitioned the
state for a license. The play area will be fenced. A motion was made by Phillip Bagby and seconded
by John Symonds to approve the conditional use permit. The motion was approved unanimously.
Next item on the agenda was for a public healing on variance application #4-2017, Christine
Nguyen, 1923 Lee Creek, Van Buren, Arkansas. Ms. Nguyen approached the commission
requesting to be exempt from the city ordinance requiring sidewalks on her property. The Park
Ridge HOA association is against having the sidewalk, due to no other sidewalks in the
neighborhood. A motion was made by Sam McCain and seconded by Jason Myers to approve
variance#4-2017. The motion was approved unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was for a public healing on variance application #5-2017, David
Schook, 800 Rena Road, Van Buren, Arkansas. Mr. Schook approached the commission requesting
a variance to the front and side yard setbacks. Mr. Schook is proposing to build a 27x12 foot carport
that will be enclosed on the side, away from the existing property, and will have identical siding,
fascia, and roofing as the current structure. Chairman Dibble stated that typically for a variance to be
approved concerning setbacks, a hardship needs to be presented. No true hardship was presented by
Mt. Schook. A motion was made by Jason Myers and seconded by John Symonds to deny the
variance. The motion was denied unanimously. Chairman Andy Dibble told Mr. Schook he could
appeal this decision to the City Council.
Next item was a public hearing for rezone application #6-2017, J&S Construction, 232 S. 26`h, Van
Buren, Arkansas. The request is for rezoning the property located at 232 S 26'h Street, from C-2 to
R-3. Mr. Joey Marrone is proposing to build a multi family residence similar to the ones located at
6`h and Drennen Street. Chairman Dibble asked for any public input. None stated. A motion was
made by Philip Bagby and seconded by Sam McCain to approve the rezone. The motion was
approved unanimously.
The next item was a request for abandonment of a Right -of -Way by Satterfield Survey, Ricky Hill,
representing Erich Bauman. Mr. Hill is requesting that portion of the 60 feet platted Walnut Street
Right -of -Way, lying between Lots 7 thru 12, Block I, Mountain View Addition and Lots 1 thtu 6,
Block P, Mountain View Addition to be abandoned. City Attorney Candice Settle asked Mt. Hill if
he had the petition with signatures of all abutting property owners. Mr. Hill stated he did not. City
Attorney Settle stated this was not a proper submission to the planning commission and suggested
tabling until the application and petition were completed. A motion was made by Jay White and
seconded by John Symonds to table the abandonment. The motion was unanimous.
Other Business: Mr. Joey Marrone, J&S Construction, spoke with the commission about his plans
for 601 Poplar. He asked if there was a way for a variance on lot sizes. Mr. Marrone is wanting to
build townhouses on the lot. The commission stated they do not have the authority to change lot
sizes. Planning Director Joseph Hurst stated the city planning and building department will review
other options with Mr. Marrone to see how best to utilize his plans of building townhouses in the
City.
Commercial Trailer and Mobile Vending Ordinance — City Planner, Joe Hurst, distributed a copy of
a proposed amendment to the Commercial Trailer and Mobile Vending city ordinance, for the
planning commission's review. Mr. Hurst stated the City Council has expressed favor of having a
Food Truck Court. The current ordinance does not allow for food trucks downtown, except on
festivals or TOTMA activities. A motion was made by John Symonds and seconded by Philip
Bagby to recommend, as written, the commercial trailer and mobile vending ordinance to the City
Council.
A motion was made by Phillip Bagby and seconded by John Symonds to adjourn. The motion was
approved unanimously.
Andy Dibble, Chairman Joe H s Planning Director