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12 AUG 13 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 13, 2012 7:20 P.M. – 7:49 P.M. OPENING REMARKS: The Planning Commission of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in regular session on August 13, 2012. Chairman Keaton opened the meeting at approximately 7:20 p.m. expressing appreciation to those in attendance. ROLL CALL: Commissioners Scott Scholl, Jim Moore, Joe Cummings, Joe Ott, and Alderman Bill Howard answered ROLL CALL. Chairman Keaton also answered roll call and declared a quorum. Commissioner McCleary arrived at approximately 7:22. PRESENT (6), ABSENT (2). Others present for the meeting were City Attorney Bamburg, City Engineer Jay Whisker, Alderman Aaron Robinson, Commissioner Jim Peacock, Jr., Water Manager Sal Pappalardo, Former Planning Commission Chairman Chad Young, interested citizens, petitioners, and press. CORRECTION AND/OR APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Alderman Howard moved, seconded by Commissioner Moore to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting of 9 July 2012 as presented. MOTION CARRIED. PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARD Chairman Keaton presented former Chairman Chad Young with a plaque for his leadership and service to the Planning Commission from February 2001 to January 2005 and January 2007 to May 2012. Chad Young expressed his appreciation, saying that he has enjoyed serving on the Planning Commission and seeing Jacksonville change over the years. PUBLIC HEARING(S): REZONING Lots 6,7,8, & 9 Block 3, Bomber Base Addition from R-6 to R-3 Chairman Keaton opened the public hearing at approximately 7:23 p.m. Mr. Jeffery Hicks explained that he has owned the property for approximately 32 years, which has a six-plex on lots 8 & 9 that were existing when he purchased the property. He stated that he purchased the adjacent property in 1997. He stated that it was his understanding that the property was zone for multi-family when he purchased it, but now is listed as R-6 for mobile homes. He explained that he would like to have the zoning changed to reflect the current use of the property so that if something happen he could rebuild the same type of development on that property as well as the adjacent lots. Chairman Keaton closed the public hearing at approximately 7:25 p.m. 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 13, 2012 7:20 P.M. – 7:49 P.M. City Engineer Whisker reviewed that the property was previously categorized as R-4, explaining that the Code Book had previously allowed development of a higher residential use in a lower residential zone. He stated that the current zoning of the property is for mobile home subdivisions, adding that the petitioner would like to have apartments and be able to construct additional apartments similar to the existing apartments on the adjacent lots. He noted that with the current zoning if the apartments were to burn the developer would not be allowed to reconstruct since it is zoned for mobile homes. He related that the property is located north of Pinewood Subdivision. City Attorney Bamburg clarified and City Engineer Whisker concurred that the zoning for mobile home parks and mobile home subdivisions was changed approximately ten years ago. Alderman Howard moved, seconded by Commissioner McCleary to rezone Lots 6,7,8, & 9 Block 3, Bomber Base Addition from R-6 to R-3. MOTION CARRIED. REQUEST TO APPROVE PLAT(S): a. FINAL PLAT Base Meadows PH IV Representative David Stanley of Lemons Engineering representing owner Greg Heslep stated that they are asking for a contingency approval, explaining that the water, sewer, and storm drainage have been completed and the curb is in place for the streets. He added that the base for the streets was compacted but after the recent rain, he feels sure there will need to be some spot rolling to ensure that it is back to compaction. He stated that the only improvements remaining are the base course and the asphalt. He anticipated that those items would be completed before the next City Council meeting unless there is another significant rain event. City Engineer Whisker noted that the developer has the option of bonding for those improvements prior to the final plat being forwarded to the City Council. He explained that he would have to have approval from the Water and Sewer Departments as well as bonding for any unfinished improvements by tomorrow to make the City Council agenda for Thursday, which would give them a three week jump on interest. In response to a question posed by Chairman Keaton, City Engineer Whisker clarified that the water and sewer has been submitted to those perspective Departments but they are waiting on as builts, a letter of warranty, and a maintenance bond. Mr. Stanley noted that regarding the as builts, the developer has a time set up with the City to inspect to finalize the as builts. He stated that the survey work is completed to provide to the Water Department for their inspection. 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 13, 2012 7:20 P.M. – 7:49 P.M. Commissioner Scholl moved, seconded by Commissioner Ott to approve the Final Plat of Base Meadows PH IV contingent upon approval from the Water and Sewer Departments and bonding for any unfinished improvements. MOTION CARRIED. b. REPLAT Lots 6R & 5F First Place Commercial Subdivision PH 3 for the Lighthouse Charter School Mr. Aaron Robinson of Bond Engineering stated that the request is a replat of two lots, offering that when the Charter School purchased lot 5F, adjacent property owner Jim Green had lots 6 & 7 replatted into lot 6R, and then the Charter School purchased lot 6R. He went on to explain that now the Charter School is planning their upper academy along with some extra parking in that area. He stated that in order to meet setbacks the property is being requested for replat into one large lot. City Engineer Whisker noted that replats can be done in-house but since they were also submitting a site plan he felt the Planning Commission should review the replat since it is a commercial application. He reviewed the boundaries of the property, noting that it excludes the front shops the property spans from the ditch to the Railroad tracks to the rear and then to the street where the light is at Second and First Streets. He then responded that the new lot would be platted as lot 6RR. Chairman Keaton noted that lot 5F carries the flood plain designation, questioning if that designation would need to be included on identification of the new lot 6RR. City Engineer Whisker clarified that the lot would be replatted as 6RRF. Commissioner Moore moved, seconded by Commissioner Cummings to approve the replat of lots 5F and 6R First Place Commercial Subdivision to lot 6RRF First Place Commercial Subdivision. MOTION CARRIED. BUILDING PERMIT(S): SITE PLAN Lighthouse Charter School upper academy 251 North First Street Mr. Robinson explained that the plan proposes to construct the upper academy south of the existing building. He also noted that toward the west part of the property the plan proposes a gymnasium, which is the area where the modular trailers are currently located. He added that the modular trailers would remain until after the upper academy is completed and plans for the gymnasium would be brought to the Planning Commission for approval. He related that the upper academy would be a thth two-story building to house the 7 through 12 grades. He stated that the plan is to use the existing drive to the School with a drive that 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 13, 2012 7:20 P.M. – 7:49 P.M. would come off that going to the front of the building. He related that the vacant piece of land near Dr. Collins’ office would be used to construct additional parking, with additional parking between North First Street and the new upper academy building. He noted that utilities were established when the lower academy was built. He continued saying that at this point, it is just a matter of moving a lot of dirt and constructing a building. In response to a question from Chairman Keaton, Mr. Robinson explained that when the property was original platted the Highway Department granted a curb cut off North First Street into the lot because it was platted as a lot. He stated that if you remove that curb cut and realign the drive the plan looses many of the parking spaces. He went on to say that when the School host special events parking has overflowed into the adjacent parking lot of the First Baptist Church, with patrons walking across the ditch and fields to get to the School. He added that parking has also overflowed to Dr. Collins’ office parking resulting in Dr. Collins putting up a sign that says non- authorized vehicles will be towed. He related that when the lower academy was constructed it was modeled from an elementary school in Chicago, noting that in Chicago public transportation is more prevalent so parking was not a major issue. He stated that it has been determined that parking in the southern region is more of an issue. He noted that the proposed plan reserves areas of future parking areas for when the gymnasium is constructed. He added that the Highway Department would still have to approve the curb cut when the new plan is submitted. Mr. Robinson clarified that there would be an entrance off Short Street; he then explained that there would be stacking lanes to drop off students to the front doors. He reviewed the exit strategy for those cars, noting that an existing gravel drive that goes around the building was established for fire access to the rear part of the building and the Fire Marshall will continue to request back access to the buildings. He explained that they propose to extend the gravel drive around the new building and tie in to the existing gravel drive providing additional stacking room for pick-up and delivery of students. He reiterated that this would also meet the Fire Marshall’s concerns for being able to access the rear of the building. Alderman Howard moved, seconded by Commissioner Moore to approve the site plan for the Charter School upper academy as proposed. MOTION CARRIED. GENERAL: REQUEST TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING City Engineer Whisker related that periodically the Land Use Plan and the Master Street Plan are reviewed for amendments, noting that recently the City annexed property along the north corridor and it 4 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 13, 2012 7:20 P.M. – 7:49 P.M. would be prudent to set a master plan for the North Pulaski area as well as other areas of Jacksonville. He mentioned the southern area of Jacksonville near Valentine and Wooten Roads, as well as areas near the County on the western boundary near Hwy. 107. He stated that this is necessary for good future planning. He then answered that the Land Use Plan, Master Street Plan, and Zoning Map are available for review on the City’s website under the Engineering Department. He added that he would be happy to make available hard copies. It was the consensus of the Planning Commission to host a public hearing September 10, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. to review the Land Use Map and Master Street Plans. ANNOUNCEMENT: City Engineer Whisker announced that September 11, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. the Highway Department is hosting a public input meeting at the Community Center regarding proposals for how to three-lane from Redmond Road up to the Austin exit. He then noted that another pubic input meeting would be held September 12, 2012 at the High School. He encouraged attendance. ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Keaton without objection adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:49 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _________________________ Susan L. Davitt 5