PC Minutes 2-2-2021City of Van Buren, Arkansas
Municipal Annex
111 North 12" Street • Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Van Buren Public Library
February 2, 2021
The Van Buren Planning Commission held its mondily meeting on Tuesday, FeUmary 2, 2021, at 530 P.Ild. The meeting was held in the
Van Buren Public Library meeting room to allow for the CDC's guideline of six-foot social distancing during the Covid-19 outbreak. Planning
Commission Secretary ien nifer Willoughby did toll call for the commission. Commissioners Mason Shiley, Tiffany Webster, Lynne Graham,
Mark Evans, John Symonds, Jason bfyers, Jay White, Vice Chairman Philip Bagby, and Chairman Andy Dibble were present. Also present
were City Inspector David Martin and City Attorney Jacob Howell. Planning Director Wally Bailey was absent. In attendance for the
Variance Public Hearing were Chad Brixey with Brixey Engineering, Chuck Liggett with Wolf Creek Builders, Susan Moore for Park Ridge
POA, Travis Teague, Josic Taylor, Jeff Henson, and David Needham.
The first item on the agenda was to approve the minutes from the last meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner John Symonds and
seconded by Commissioner Jason Myers to approve the meeting minutes. The motion was approved unanimously.
The second item on the agenda was the Public Hearing for Variance #1-2021, Riverview (a,) Park Ridge Condominiums owned by Dr. Hassan
Masn and presented by Chad Brixey for Brixey Engineering. The variance request asks permission to allow driveways on Park Ridge Drive
for three one-story condominiums. Park. Ridge Drive is a Collector Street Class I. Ordinance 420-2019 does not permit driveways for single
family or duplex structures to be placed on arterial or collector streets. Chad Brixey stated the request to put driveways off Park Ridge Drive
is because on the north side of the property there is a large fall that would take too much fill and take up too much room to construct
driveways there. Chairman Andy Dibble, along with Commissioners John Symonds and Jason Myers, stated that three driveways on Pails
Ridge Drive is a safety concern and that the Planning Commission adopted an ordinance prohibiting this exact situation. Any other existing
driveways on Park Ridge Drive were added prior to Ord. 20-2019 being. passed. The public was asked to give their input. First to respond
was Susan Moore, President of the Park Ridge Property Owners Association, with a petition of 165 signatures representing 86 households
against the requested variance. Secondly, Jeff Henson, wanted to voice how dangerous the driveways could be because of location, blind
spots, and busy traffic. David Needham mentioned the heavy traffic from Park Ridge residents as well as from the subdivision to the west.
Mr. Needham also stated the proposed driveways are on a ridge and in a curve, which is very dangerous. 'Travis Teague, member of the Park
Ridge POA Board, stated his concern over extra traffic in the mornings when it is very dark and there are children waiting on the side of the
road for the school bus, as there are no sidewalks and no parking on the street. Commissioner Jason Myers made a motion to deny the
variance request for driveways connected to Park Ridge Drive, a Collector Street Class I, and was seconded by Commissioner Lynne Graham.
The motion was approved unanimously. Chad Brixey mentioned filing an appeal or possibly using the existing construction entrance for
driveway access to the condominiums.
The next item on the agenda was the Public Hearing for an amendment to Zoning Code Section 4. R-3B Condominium District. No Action
was taken. Commissioner John Symonds made the motion for this item to he tabled and was seconded by Commissioner Tiffany 'Webster.
The motion was approved unanimously.
The next items on the agenda were the Public Hearings for an amendment to Ord. 23-1996 Control of Access to
Streets and Highways and an amendment to the Public Works Construction Standards Drawings. No Action was taken. Vice Chairman
Philip Bagby made the motion for these items to. he tabled and was seconded by Commissioner Jason Myers. The motion was approved
unanimously.
M
otion djour ommissionex John Symonds and seconded by Commissioner Jason Myers,
And Dibble, airman Wally Bailey, Planning Director