PC Minutes 6-2-2020A
Van Buren Public Library
June 2, 2020
The Van Buren Planxung Commission held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 2, 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, Jay White, City
Inspector David Martin, and Planning Director Wally Bailey and City Attorney Candice Settle.
Others present Ricky 10, Satterfield Surveying, Tim Arnold and Stanley Clark from the city Fire
Department.
The first item on the agenda was to approve the minutes from the last meeting. A motion was made
by Jay White and seconded by Lynne Graham to approve the meeting minutes. The motion was
approved unanimously.
Next item on agenda was for the Alley Closing Block 14 Vista Place Addition, 127 Skyline Drive,
Mac Werthmuller, represented by Satterfield Surveying. Wally Bailey, Planning Director stated the
purpose of the petition is to combine several lots separated by an undeveloped and non-functional
alley so to facilitate the construction of a single-family dwelling. The Van Buren City Council has set
the public hearing for June 22, 2020. A motion was made by John Symonds and seconded by Philip
Bagby to approve the closing. The motion was approved unanimously.
The next item was for Darden Tracts 3A, 3B & 3C, represented by Satterfield Surveying. Wally
Bailey, Planning Director, stated Arkansas Valley Electric wants the utility easement between Tract
3B and 3C to be twenty (20) feet in width. Also, they asked that the easement be on tract 3C. AOG
has an exclusive right of way along Oliver Springs Road across the front of this property. Also, the
existing 15' utility easement that is proposed to be vacated per this plat cannot be vacated with the
plat. Arkansas Law (ACA 14-199-103) empowers cities to vacate public utility easements or
segments thereof only under the conditions and in the provided for the vacation of streets and
alleys. They City Attorney's opinion is that since this property is in the county, the easement closing
must be processed by the county. A motion was made by Philip Bagby and seconded by Mason
Shirey to approve the plat. The motion was approved unanimously.
Next item on the agenda was for public hearing on Temporary Revocable License. Wally Baily,
Planning Director, stated to the commission he has prepared an Ordinance to establish a procedure
for the review and potential approval of a Temporary Revocable License (TRL) that will allow
encroachments on or in public rights of way or public easements. The proposed ordinance includes
procedures to allow a property owner/applicant the ability to request permission to place an above -
grade, at -grade and below -grade structure in the public rights of way or a public easement.
Encroachments might include items such as architectural embellishments on buildings, flagpoles,
light poles, signs, above ground equipment or underground encroachments. A temporary revocable
license giants the licensee permission to use a specific portion of the public right of way or public
easement until such time as that portion of the public right of way or public easement is needed by
the City of Van Buren, Van Buren Municipal Utilities or a franchised Utility. Mr. Bailey stated the
proposed Temporary Revocable License procedures are used by numerous cities in Arkansas and in
other States. Any application for a Temporary Revocable License must be reviewed by the Planning
Commission with a final approval by the City Council. Questions were asked about the price of the
application. After a discussion with the commission it was recommended for the application fee of
$250,00 be implemented. A motion to approve was made by Philip and seconded by Lynne
Graham to approve the proposed ordinance for city council review and acceptance. The motion was
approved unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was public hearing for No Parking on City Streets Ordinance. Wally
Bailey, Planning Director, stated to the commission at the October 2019 Planning Commission
meeting, we discussed a proposed ordinance that would prohibit parking on arterial and collector
streets. Since the October meeting we decided it best to include a list of the specific streets. In
addition, the proposal now includes all cul-de-sacs in the City. The proposed Ordinance, which is
what you received in your packets, includes a specific list of the streets proposed for restricted
parking; an exception for streets with City designated on street parking and a requirement for signs
to be installed on the streets with restricted parking. Some items mentioned during the discussion
with Fire Department and Street Department present had to do witb defining cul-de-sac for no
panting because of Fire Trucks and needing to specify streets for signage. Planning Director Wally
Bailed stated no action was required by the commission during this meeting, this was just a study
session.
No New or Old Business. Amotion to adjourn was made by Philip Bagby and seconded by Mason
Shirey,
Wally Bailey, Planning Director