Planning Commission Minutes October 3, 2017City of Van Buren, Arkansas
Municipal Annex
111 North 12' Street • Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
October 3, 2017
The Van Buren Planning Commission held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at
5:30 P.M., in the City Council Room of the Municipal Complex.
Members Present Vice Chairman Philip Bagby, Mark Evans, Lynne Graham, Jay White and Jason
Myers. Others Present Joseph Hurst, Planning Director, Julie Copple, Planning Commission
Secretary, David Martin, City Building Inspector and Candice Settle, City Attorney.
The first item on the agenda was to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. A motion was
made by Jason Myers and seconded by Jay White to approve the minutes. The motion was
approved unanimously.
Next item on the agenda was for a public hearing for Board of Adjustments, variance #8-2017, J&S
Construction, 701 Poplar St, Van Buren. Mr. Joey Marone addressed the commission requesting to
be exempt from the city ordinance requiring a sidewalk on site, due to the contour of the bank at the
property line and the curb appeal of the home and retaining wall. No other sidewalk exists on this
side of the street. A motion was made by Jason Myers and seconded by Mark Evans to approve
variance#8-2017. The motion was approved unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was a public hearing for an amendment to Historic District
Commission Ordinance#2-1998. Lisa Willis, HDC Chairman, addressed the commission explaining
the need for increasing the HDC Certificate of Appropriateness fee from ten ($10) dollars to twenty
($20). The increase is needed to help fund educational projects downtown not covered by current
grant funds. A motion was made by Mark Evans and seconded by Lynne Graham to recommend
amendment of ordinance#2-1998 to the city council for approval.
Next item on the agenda was a public hearing for the city sidewalk ordinance#10-2015, sidewalk
variance procedures. Mr. Joseph Hurst, Planning Director, addressed the commission concerning an
variance option that developers and/or builders would have available. Some factors for a variance
could be topography, no master plan Many Fee in lieu. Builder/Developer can appeal if they don't
agree or want to pay. The Planning Department will propose a draft amendment to the ordinance
for the next planning co stun meeting to discussion and approval. A motion was made by
Jason,Wgis and sec de y�Jlaric Evans to adjourn. The motion was agproved iMnimously�
Andy Dibble; Chairman Joe Hurst,"Planning Director