PC Minutes 5-5-2020City of Van Buren, Arkansas
111 North 12 Street • Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Van Buren Public Library
May 5, 2020
The Van Buren Planning Commission held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at 5:30
P.M., in the Van Buren Public Library meeting room, due to the Covid-19 outbreak and CDC
guidelines, we were able to obtain the 6 foot distancing. Present: Chairman Andy Dibble, Vice
Chairman Philip Bagby, Lynne Graham, Mason Shirey, Mark Evans, John Symonds, Jason Myers,
Jay White, City Inspector David Martin, and Planning Director Wally Bailey, with City Attorney
Candice Settle appearing by phone. Others present Ricky Hill, Satterfield Surveying, Wesley Moore,
Brandon Whitlock, Karen Mohr, and Dianne Gudgell.
The first item on the agenda was to approve the minutes from the last meeting. A motion was made
by Lynne Graham and seconded by Jason Myers to approve the meeting minutes. The motion was
approved unanimously.
Next item on agenda was for the public heating on the Master Land Use Plan Map Amendment.
Planning Director Wally Bailey stated he would also discuss the tabled Rezone#3-2020, A review of
the current rezone application for 420 North 20`h shows that existing property at 422 North 20' and
2022 Baldwin Street are zoned Residential-3 (R3) which is the multi -family zoning district.
However, the Master Land Use Plan (MLUP) map shows those existing properties and the property
proposed for the R-3 rezoning are all classified as a single family/duplex on the MLUP map. Now
is an opportune time to correct the MLUP map with an amendment. It is important to amend the
MLUP map when issues like this are found or when a rezoning is proposed. My recommendations
for the Planning Commission when considering the rezoning request and Master Land Use Plan
Map is to correct the MLUP, so zoning and map are correlated and if the commission is in favor of
the rezone, to recommend the change of the map and rezone to the city council. The Planning
Director Wally Bailey stated this would protect spot zoning. Ricky Hill, Satterfield Surveying, stated
that all the requirements have been met with this survey proposing 6 duplexes, and presented
example pictures of what the developer is proposing for the neighborhood. Mr. Hill stated that Mr.
Cox could not make the meeting due to the COVfD-19 health risk. Mr. Hill stated to the
commission and public the plans for the properties. Chairman Dibble asked the public for their
input, and the following statements were made:
Dianne Gudgell, 408 North 20`h stated: "Anytime duplexes come in, a lot of noise starts happening
with traffic especially during school hours." "and ie s been blocked all the way down to her
driveway." "The street is not in good shape and needs repaired." "I am sad the old homes are
going away."
Brandon Whitlock, 412 North 20`s stated: "I am concerned about our property values being
affected." "Ate they planning on building a privacy fence?' "Are trees going to be removed?'
Wesley Moore, 417 North 21" stated: "I have lived 30 years next door to the apartments and ies bad
with traffic, noise, trash and trouble." "Several different owners and has declined over time." "I say
"no" to this rezone.
Karen Mohr, 408 North 20' stated: "What is being built next door?" "There is a man cutting down
trees, and he said he was building duplexes." "Can he do that?" Chairman Dibble stated that parcel
was not the same one we were discussing tonight, and the zoning for that area is R-2, a Two -Family
Residential District, so a duplex would be allowed.
Chairman Dibble asked the Planning Department if any calls from the public concern ng
ezone, David Martin, City Building Department, stated the residents from 422 North 20 Ih Street
were against apartments.
After some discussion, a motion was made Uy John Symonds and seconded by Philip Bagby to deny
the rezone. 1 against the denial, 7 for the denial. Chairman Dibble stated they could appeal this
decision to the City Council, The Master Land Use Plan will remain "as is" for now and will be
discussed later, if needed.
A motion was made by Lynne Graham and seconded by Jay White to adjourn.
Andy ibble, Chairman Wally Bailey, Planning Director