PC Minutes 9-1-2020City of Van Buren, Arkansas
Municipal Annex
111 North 12 Street • Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Van Buren Public Library
September 1, 2020
The Van Buren Plamring Commission held its montlily meeting on Tuesday, September 13 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. Planning Commission Secretary Julie
Copple did roll call for the commission. Mason Shirey, Lynne Graham, Mark Evans, Chairman
Andy Dibble, Vice Chairman Philip Bagby, John Symonds, Jason Myers, and Jay White were
present. 'Tiffany Webster was absent. Also present were City Inspector David Martin, Planning
Director Wally Bailey, and City Attorney Candice Settle. Others present were Chad Brixey, from
Brixey Engineering.
The first item on the agenda was to approve the minutes from the last meeting. A motion was made
by John Symonds and seconded by Jay White to approve the meeting minutes. The motion was
approved unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was for Legacy Valley, Phase 8 Preliminary Plat and Variance on the
street standards from Brixey Engineering. Planning Director Wally Bailey stated to the commission
the proposed Legacy Valley Phase 8 preliminary plat has been submitted by Btixey Engineering.
The proposed preliminary plat includes a portion of Legacy Boulevard that was recently added to
the Master Street Plan as a Collector II. An original preliminary plat design had the proposed local
street extending to Oliver Springs Rd. The proposed preliminary plat has a dead end/cul-de-sac
design. A variance for the length of the dead end/cul-de-sac is required. The variance allowing Lots
9-13 to have sole frontage on the Collector street was approved at the August 4, 2020 meeting. This
revised preliminary plat shows Lots 1 through 25 and Tract A. Planning Director Wally Bailey stated
to the commission the following comments from the staff and utilities: A variance has been
requested for the length of the cul-de-sac. Section 4 of the Van Buren Minimum Street Standards
states "Maximum length of a dead-end street and cul-de-sac is 600 feet." Giving consideration that
Legacy Boulevard East will be the opportunity for two ways we still have a cul-de-sac that is too
long. My method of measuring is from the center line of Legacy Boulevard East at Pagosa Drive to
the center of the terminating cul-de-sac. The dimensions on the plat are 201.92 plus 465.00 which
equals 666.92 which indicates the dead end/cul-de-sac is 66.92' beyond the maximum length set by
the Minimum Street Standards which is 600 feet. The construction of Legacy Boulevard East must
comply with the Collector Street requirements. The existing right of way between lots 23 and 24 of
Legacy Valley 7 is 50 feet wide. We have discussed this and determined that for this short section it
is acceptable to construct the required 32-foot-wide street in the 50-foot row. A 15-foot utility
easement outside the right of way is already platted contiguous with the 50 foot right of way to aid
with the utility extensions. The Planning Commission should require the construction of sidewalks
on both sides of Legacy Boulevard East along the frontages of Lots 23 and 24 of Legacy Valley 7.
Normally sidewalks are built with new house construction. The houses on these two lots have
already been built. No parking signs on the street are requited on the cul-de-sac street. Utility
comments: VBMU, the developer will need to confirm that the receiving sewer system and pumping
station has adequate capacity to support current demands of the sub -division and the additional load
of the proposed development. Other utilities had no comments. Chad Brixey, Brixey Engineering,
approached the commission and reiterated the need for the variance for the cul-de-sac on Legacy
Talley Phase 8, and that the developer will not have less than 25 lots. A motion to deny the variance
and plat by Jason Myers and seconded by Lynne Graham. The denial was unanimous,
Next item on agenda was a discussion concerting the Master Sn eet Plan. Mt. Wally Bailey, Planning
Director presented a power point showing the need for a street between Nortluidge Drive East. and
Uniontown Road. The Planning Commission and Planning Director discussed varirns options and
will conduct further study sessions concerning this matter before maknng any recommendations to
die City Council.
Motion to adjourn by Philip Bagb}' and seconded Uy Jason Mycts.
Y"�
:, Chairman Wally Bailey, Planning Director