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12 FEB 13 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 13, 2012 7:00 P.M. – 7:35 P.M. OPENING REMARKS: The Planning Commission of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in regular session on February 13, 2012. Chairman Young opened the meeting at approximately 7:00 p.m. expressing appreciation to those in attendance. ROLL CALL: Commissioners Scott Scholl, Glen Keaton, Jim Moore, Joe Cummings III, Joe Ott, Eric McCleary, and Alderman Bill Howard answered ROLL CALL. Chairman Young declared a quorum. PRESENT (8), ABSENT (1). Others present for the meeting were City Engineer Jay Whisker, Alderman Reedie Ray, Mayor Fletcher, interested citizens, petitioners, and press. Chairman Young welcomed new Commissioners Scott Scholl and Joe Cummings III to the Planning Commission. CORRECTION AND/OR APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Howard moved, seconded by Commissioner Keaton to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting of 12 December 2011 and the special scheduled Planning Commission meeting of 15 December 2011 as presented. MOTION CARRIED. PUBLIC HEARING(S): REQUEST TO APPROVE PLAT(S): a. PRELIMINARY PLAT PBGH Macon Subdivision Mr. Dan Bartlett of Bartlett Architecture and Global Surveying stated that he is representative for the petitioner. City Engineer Whisker related that the item in question is for a Dollar General Store, noting that these are the same developers of the last Dollar General Store developed on Loop Road and Hwy. 294. He noted that the location of the proposed development is on the corner of Hwy. 107 and Kuykendall Road. He stated that while this property is outside the City limits, it is inside Jacksonville’s extra territorial jurisdiction. He noted that the item is also on the agenda for approval of their site plan. He pointed out that the developers are dedicating over 30’ of additional right-of-way on Kuykendall Road to make a 60’ right-of-way and dedicating Hwy. 107 right-of-way. He asked that any motions for approval stipulate that the plat meet or exceed County ordinances. In response to a question from Commissioner Moore, City Engineer Whisker stated that the vacant property not included in the plat will be platted at a later time. He stated that the developer is requesting to plat one lot with improvements. 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 13, 2012 7:00 P.M. – 7:35 P.M. Discussion ensued regarding the easements and right-of-way to the County. City Engineer Whisker noted that the utilities are existing. He then answered that the road separates the residential area from this development, adding that he would defer to City Attorney Bamburg regarding the requirement of landscaping versus over roads. City Attorney Bamburg stated that the development would still have to satisfy the terms of the landscaping ordinance. It was noted that landscaping considerations would be part of the site plan that will be viewed as the next item of business. Commissioner Keaton moved, seconded by Commissioner Moore to approve the preliminary plat of PBGH Macon Subdivision stipulating that the plat meet or exceed County development standards. MOTION CARRIED. BUILDING PERMIT(S): a. SITE PLAN Dollar General Hwy. 107 & Kuykendall Road PBGH Macon Subdivision City Engineer Whisker reviewed the site plan, noting that landscaping issues have been addressed, adding that the issues will be fencing and sidewalks. He noted that the development is boarded on three sides by Kuykendall Road or Hwy. 107. He stated that Jacksonville’s ordinance requires a sidewalk along one side of the road. He reminded the Commission that the previous Dollar General was required to construct a sidewalk along Hwy. 294, so the developers are familiar with this requirement. He then added that the previous Dollar General is required to also build a sidewalk on the Loop Road side since it is located on a corner lot. He stated that sidewalk requirements for this development would be no different than the previous one. Chairman Young noted that he could not see any provisions for landscaping between the parking lot and the building. City Engineer Whisker concurred that building landscaping would need to be added to the site plan with a 6’ minimum. Commissioner Moore question if the requirement for landscaping between residential and commercial is applicable with this site plan. City Engineer Whisker concurred, saying that where the developer had designated landscaping on the south side is not a requirement but should actually have been placed along Kuykendall Road. He then answered that any green area not cleared in development would count toward the total requirement for landscaping. Commissioner Moore then questioned if the HVAC units behind the building were going to be screened. Mr. Bartlett stated that since the area was not abutting any residential area they assumed it did not require screening, noting that the road was located to the rear of the building. 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 13, 2012 7:00 P.M. – 7:35 P.M. City Engineer Whisker clarified that the landscaping ordinance does not specifically address HVAC units. He then concurred that the landscaping ordinance does specifically require fencing of dumpsters. Chairman Young stated that the ordinance would require fencing on the back west side and on the north side if there are any houses on the north side of Kuykendall Road. City Engineer Whisker then noted that the developer is also requesting a parking waiver from the required number of 91 parking spaces to 29 parking spaces. He then read from the petitioner’s letter “spaces based on square footage of retail, office, and toilet area of (1) space per one-hundred (100) square feet.” Mr. Bartlett noted that the request is similar to the previous Dollar General store, which is based on criteria for all their stores. He stated that it is not felt that this would cut parking short for the store’s customer business needs. In response to a question from Commissioner Moore, Mr. Bartlett answered that the area in question is a concrete pad where the dumpster sits while also providing a flat space for trucks to unload. He clarified that the drawing is depicting a 6” ramp that was misleadingly drawn to appear as steps. In response to a question from Chairman Young, Mr. Bartlett stated that currently they do not have Arkansas Highway Department approval for the curb cuts, but are in discussions with AHD and there does not seem to be a problem. City Engineer Whisker stated that the developer is also requesting a waiver from doing improvements along Kuykendall Road. He added that he would leave that consideration up to the County but reiterated that they do need to construct the sidewalk along Hwy. 107 and Kuykendall Road. He noted that the City has not required curb and gutter regarding other developing properties in the County. Chairman Young noted that the developer’s letter also requested a variance for the interior landscaping requirement. City Engineer Whisker clarified that they are short approximately 152 square feet but do plan to construct interior landscaping. Mr. Bartlett stated that the minimum requirement for interior islands is difficult to achieve given the working dimensions of the project. He stated that as a trade-off there is extra landscaping in the upper right-hand portion of the property. He related that next to the building, the 6’ area in the front would be easily enough to achieve landscaping but the 6’ along the left side of the building where the loading dock is located would be difficult to achieve. 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 13, 2012 7:00 P.M. – 7:35 P.M. City Engineer Whisker stated that the landscaping ordinance allows for going down to 4’ instead of 6’. He offered that if the developer is held to 6’ along the front it would compensate for some of the landscaping requirements, plus the length of the side. Chairman Young noted that in order to achieve this landscaping proposal, the proposed building would need to be shifted to the west. Discussion ensued and it was determined that the parking waiver would be a variance of 46 spaces. Chairman Young stated that there has not typically been a problem waiving parking spaces, adding that the Planning Commission generally does not waiver the requirement of sidewalks. City Engineer Whisker concurred, adding that landscaping and dumpster screening are also typically not waived. Commissioner Keaton moved, seconded by Alderman Howard to approve the site plan with a parking waiver for 29 spaces, requiring landscaping and screening adjacent to residential areas, requiring building landscape of 6’ on the east side and 4’ on the south side with a variance for the interior island landscaping to 834 square feet, no waiver of sidewalks and street improvements on Hwy. 107 and Kuykendall Road as directed by the County. MOTION CARRIED. b. SITE PLAN 7216 T.P. White Drive Petitioner Lloyd Friedman was not present. City Engineer Whisker asked that the item still be addressed. City Attorney Bamburg stated that the Planning Commission would have to waive their requirement that the petitioner be present. Commissioner Keaton moved, seconded by Commissioner Moore to waive the requirement that the petitioner be present in order to discuss the item of business as requested by City Engineer Whisker. MOTION CARRIED. City Engineer Whisker related that since annexation of the North Corridor there has been a struggle to make all property owners aware that they are now under City and not County development standards. He recalled the difficulties with a recent property owner who was struggling to open his business. He noted that the property owner was required to post a bond in the amount of $4,000.00 in order to proceed. He stated that the property owner has not posted the bond but has contacted the Governor’s office to file a complaint. He stated that he feels the City needs to continue in the practice of requiring a petitioner to have both a preliminary and final plat along with the requirements of sidewalks and landscaping. 4 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 13, 2012 7:00 P.M. – 7:35 P.M. He related that he has tried to explain those criterions to the petitioner and the plat submitted was not sufficient regarding plat standards. He went on to say that if the Planning Commission directs, he would write a letter to the petitioner requesting compliance. It was the consensus of the Planning Commission for City Engineer Whisker to communicate plat standards with the petitioner of 7216 T.P. White Drive. GENERAL: ANNOUNCEMENT: Chairman Young announced the annual Joint Planning th Commission meeting would be on February 28, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center. Mayor Fletcher addressed the Planning Commission, saying that in recent years the annual meeting has experienced problems with subject matter that would be beneficial. He related that he plans to propose at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting to dispense with the customary meeting in lieu of having Mr. Dan Bulkers of “Livable Walk-able Communities” come to Jacksonville to speak to the City Council and Planning Commission members sometime in March or April. The Planning Commission was amenable to meeting with Mr. Bulkers. ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Young without objection adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _________________________ Susan L. Davitt 5