Planning Commission Minutes November 6, 2018i� ®f Vain Tu emojAhia-T ' au
MunidIP al Annex
111 North IT Street • Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
November 6, 2018
The Van Buren Planning Commission held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 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, Tiffany
Webster, John Symonds, Jay White and Mason Shirey. Others Present -David Martin, City Building
Inspector, Candice Settle, City Attorney, Chad Woodruff, Rick Endel, Michael Kerr and Lisa
Schwerin.
The first item on the agenda was to approve the minutes from the special meeting held on August
23, 2018. A motion was made by Tiffany Webster and seconded by Mason Shirey to approve the
special meeting minutes. The motion was approved unanimously. The second item was to approve
the minutes from the last Planning Commission meeting. A motion was made by John Symonds and
seconded by Jay White. The motion was approved unanimously.
Next item on the agenda was for public hearing on Variance#5-2018, Michael Kerr, 2224 Park Ave,
Van Buren. Mr. Kerr was requesting a variance to the city fencing ordinance. Mr. Kett would like to
build a privacy fence over a drainage/utility easement due to his yard being too small for his
daughter to play soccer. The commission stated the ordinance is very clear about no posts in an
easement, and his survey is showing two easements (35'), so the fence cannot be built over the
drainage easement. A motion was made by Philip Bagby and seconded by Mark Evans to deny
variance. The motion was approved unanimously. Mr. Kerr was advised by the commission he
could appeal to the City Council within 30 days. Candace Settle, City Attorney, advised the
commission the variance does not have an appeal process through the city council, but through the
circuit court. Mr. Kerr had already left the meeting. Julie Copple, Planning Department, will contact
Mr. Kerr and let him know the process.
Next item on the agenda was for public hearing on Variance #6-2018, Charles Endel, 1927 Lee
Creek Drive, Van Buren. Mr. Endel was requesting a variance to the city fencing ordinance, allowing
a fence to be built on their 20' easement. Mr. Endel stated there is an existing retaining wall in his
southwest portion of his property that constricts the ability to erect a fence. The commission
suggested some other ways the fence could be built and not be in the easement. A motion was made
by Philip Bagby and seconded by Mark Evans to deny the variance. The motion was approved
unanimously.
Next item on the agenda was for public hearing on Variance #7-2018, Chad Woodruff, 1106 Walnut
Street, Van Buren. Mr. Woodruff was requesting a variance to the side yard setback from 10' to 7'
so he can keep the existing foundation structure on the property. A motion was made by Philip
Bagby and seconded by Tiffany Webster to approve the variance. The motion was passed with 6 for
and 1 against.
The next item was for public hearing on Conditional Use Permit#3-2018, Lisa Schwerin, 12 Mount
Vista, Van Buren. Ms. Schwerin was requesting a conditional use permit for her business as a
photography studio. The commission asked about the hours of operation and how many clients
would be there at a time.
Ms. Schwerin stated it would be by appointment only, one client per appointment, and no evening
hours. A motion was made by Mark Evans and seconded by Mason Shitey to approve the permit.
The motion was passed unanimously.
The next item New/Old Business- Candice Settle, City Attorney, spoke to the commission about
reviewing the current ordinance 16-2000, prohibiting hogs, goats and sheep in the city limits, to
allowing them by using the conditional use permit process. A motion was made by Jay White and
seconded by John Symonds to recommend the City Council for this process to be approved. A
motion was made by Philip Bagby and seconded by John Symonds to adjourn.
o Hurst, Planning Director