PC Minutes 02-01-2022City of Van Buren, Arkansas
Municipal Annex
111 North 12' Street • Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
February 13 2022
1.
Call
To
Order. The
Van
Buren
Planning Comtission held its
monthly meeting on Tuesday,
February 1,
2022, at 5:30
P.M.
The meeting
was
held at
the Municipal Complex in the
City Council Chambers.
2. Roll Call. The following Commissioners were present Chairman Andy Dibble, Vice -Chairman Philip
Bagby, Missy Hefner, Jason Myers, Mason Shuey, John Symonds, and Jay White. City staff present were Planning
Director Wally Bailey, City Inspector David Martin, Secretary Jennifer Willoughby, and City Attorney Jacob Howell.
Commissioners Mark Evans and Tiffany Webster were absent Present for Agenda Item #5: Chad Bracey of Brixey
Engineering and Steven Franklin of Franklin Constriction. Present for Agenda Item #6: David Tapp of Pediatrics
Plus and Ricky Dennis Glass of 2805 Alma Blvd. Present for Agenda Item #9: Kyle Sawyer of Hawkins -Weir
Engineering and Timothy Varner of MAHG Architecture,
3. Approval Of Minutes From December 7, 2021 and January 4, 2022. A motion to approve was made
by Commissioner Jason Myers and seconded by Vice -Chairman Philip Bagby. The motion was approved
unanimously.
4. Hilltop Way Tracts 1_& 2—Preliminary Plat —Satterfield Surveyors. A motion to table this agenda
item was made by Commissioner Jason Myers and seconded by Commissioner John Symonds. The motion was
approved unanimously.
5. Legacy Creek Phase 2 Layout—Brixey Engineering. A discussion was held on the revised phasing
plan for future Legacy CreexPi ases 2 and 3. The revised layout does not show a progression of contiguous phases.
The Commission had no objections to the revised phasing plan. Concerns mentioned in the discussion will be
addressed once the preliminary plat is submitted.
6. PublicHearing-For CUP #1-2022-2805 Alma Hwy, Pediatrics Plus; To -Allow Pre-School/Child
Therapy In C-2 Thoroughfare Commercial District. A motion to approve was made by Commissioner Jason
Myers and seconded by Commissioner John Symonds. The motion was approved unanimously.
In the presentation given by Mr. David Tapp of Pediatrics Plus, he stated that Pediatrics Plus offers a comprehensive
and specialized health care program for children with special needs and developmental delays which includes an Early
Intervention Day Treatment (EIDT) preschool program. Mr. Tapp stated that this is a 3.5-million-dollar remodel.
The complete development of this site will include the repurposing of the old grocery store building and the
construction of a new Dairy Queen restaurant.
7. Public Hearing To Discuss Adoption Of 2018 Arkansas Plumbing And Gas Codes. A motion to
recoimmend the City Council adopt the updated codes was made by Commissioner John Symonds and seconded by
Commissioner Jason Myers. The motion was approved unanimously.
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8. Public Heating To Discuss Amendments To The Subdivision Regulations —Subdivision
Definition, Private Streets, And Access Easements. A motion to recommend the City Council amend the
Subdivision Regulations was made by Vice -Chapman Philip Bagby and seconded by Commissioner Jason Myers.
Planning Director Wally Bailey proposed amendments to the Subdivision Regulations for the purpose of adding
language and clarity to the definition of a subdivision. Mr. Bailey also wants to add language to address the need to
protect the Master Street Plan when land is development. Vice -Chairman Philip Bagby and Commissioner Jason
Myers had concerns about the wording for agricultural land and land outside the city limits but within the planning
jurisdiction; they suggested the subdivision definition be the same for both inside and outside (within planning
jurisdiction) corporate city limits.
Mr. Bailey also stated the importance of establishing criteria for pr vate streets and access easements, as this is a public
safety and planning/engineering issue. He proposed the addition of a section for access easements, a section for
private streets, and a section for private infrastructure maintenance.
9. Downtown Streetscape Project Discussion. Plamning Director Wally Ba ley presented the Downtown
Streetscape Project to the Commission with updates on the drainage improvements that must be completed before
the Streetscape Project can begin. Mr. Bailey noted that the project design is 60% complete and it will probably be
2023 before project construction begins. Timothy Varner with MAHG Architecture also gave an update and
explanation of some key features within the project. Next, Kyle Salyer with Hawkins -Weir Engineering detailed the
downtown drainage improvement plan to prevent flooding damage. Commissioner Missy Hefner asked if there is a
maintenance plan; Mr. Bailey replied that the City will add maintenance to the Parks & Recreation Dept budget and
that the A&P Commission may also help with maintenance.
10. Old/New Business. None.
11. Adjourn. A motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Jason Myers and seconded by Commissioner
Mason Shirey. The motion was approved unanimously.
A Dibble, Chairman
Wally Bailey, Planning Director
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