PC Minutes 5-7-2019City of Van Buren, Arkansas
Municipal Annex
111 North 12� Street • Van Buren, Arkansas /Y956
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
May 7, 2019
The
Van Buren Plannnig Cormnission held its monthly meet ng
on Tuesday,
May 7, 2019 at 5:30 P.IVI.5 n the
City
Council Room of the Municipal Complex,
Members Present —Chairman Andy Dibble, Vice Chairman Philip Bagby, Mark Evans, John Symonds, Jay
White, Lynne Graham, Mark Evans, Tiffany Webster, Jason Myers and Mason Shirey. Others Present -David
Martin, City Building Inspector, Candice Settle, City Attorney, Chad Cox and the over 25 residence's from
the Falls Branch Rd and Rena Road neighborhood.
The fast item on the agenda was to approve the minutes from the April meeting. A motion was made by
Jason Myers and seconded by John Symonds to approve the meeting minutes. The motion was approved
unanimously.
Next item was for the public hearing on Rezone#3-2019, Chad Cox, 1110-1118 Rena Road North 20�h Street,
Van Buren. Mr. Cox stated the property is currently zoned R-1 (Single-family Residential District) and would
like to rezone the property to R-3 (Multi -Family Residential District). Mr. Cox is proposing several units,
two-story and single, with exterior brick and siding. Mx. Cox brought pictures of the proposed units for
public viewing. City Attorney Candice Settles stated this would be considered spot zoning since the parcels
are surrounded by R-1 (Single -Family Residence) zoning. Chairman Dibble stated he was concerned about
privacy issues, since the units proposed were two-story and the surrounding neighborhood being single -story.
Chairman Dibble asked for public comments. Several residences stated the units would lower their home
value and would increase traffic which is already bad. Some public concern was crime increasing in the
neighborhood, along with privacy issues of the two-story units. Chairman Dibble asked the public if anyone
present was for the rezone. No response. A motion was made by Jason Myers and seconded by Lynne
Graham to deny the rezone. Vice Chairman Philip Bagby recused. The motion was denied unanimously.
Chairman Dibble stated to Mr. Cox he could appeal the denial to the City Council.
The next item on the agenda was for public hearing on discussion for amending the fence ordinance 20-2011.
David Martin, City Building Inspector, stated he met with all the utility departments and would like to submit
changes to the fencing of easements. The following changes were discussed: Using Arkansas one -call for
marking utilities in easements and using removable panels for the width of the easements. Chairman Dibble
offered to update the diagrams/drawings for the ordinance. A motion was made by Jason Myers and
seconded by Tiffany Webster to approve the amended ordinance and forward to City Council. The motion
was approved unanimously.
A motion was made by Jason Myers and seconded by Lynne to adjourn.
Andy Dibble, Chairman Joe Hurst, Planning Director