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13 DEC 09 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING DECEMBER 9, 2013 7:00 P.M. – 7:17 P.M. OPENING REMARKS: The Planning Commission of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in regular session on December 9, 2013. Chairman Ott opened the meeting at approximately 7:00 p.m. expressing appreciation to those in attendance. ROLL CALL: Commissioners Scott Scholl, Jim Moore, Joe Cummings, Jr., Rick White, and Alderman Bill Howard answered ROLL CALL. Chairman Ott also answered roll call and declared a quorum. PRESENT (6), ABSENT (3). Others present for the meeting were City Attorney Bamburg, City Engineer Jay Whisker, 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 12 November 2013 as presented. MOTION CARRIED. PUBLIC HEARING(S): REQUEST TO APPROVE PLAT(S): a. FINAL PLAT: Entergy-Jacksonville Subdivision 7801 John Harden Drive Mr. Tim Tyler representing Entergy presented the final plat, explaining that the substation and all improvements have been completed. He stated that the substation has been finished for awhile and he believes all requirements have been met. City Engineer Whisker recalled that the plan was to use the area to the rear of the building for storage, noting that Entergy built a very nice building to the front of the property, which is gated to limit access. He pointed out that Entergy constructed a sidewalk in front of lot 1 and that the property has water and sewer. Mr. Tyler then answered that he did not believe Entergy has any plans to construct anything on the remaining vacant property. Commissioner Moore stated that the aesthetics of the building is an added enhancement coming into Jacksonville; he added that the development is a nicer facility than the one on Marshall Road. City Engineer Whisker pointed out that with the bend in the freeway and the location of the building it draws attention to the building as your coming into Jacksonville. He then related that Entergy has offered some of the vacant property to the north for placement of a “Welcome to the City of Jacksonville” sign. Commissioner White moved, seconded by Commissioner Moore to approve the Final Plat of Entergy-Jacksonville Subdivision as presented. MOTION CARRIED. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING DECEMBER 9, 2013 7:00 P.M. – 7:17 P.M. b. PRELIMINARY PLAT: Lots 1, 2, & 3 Cavin Estates Mr. Jim Butler representative of the developer Charles Cavin, stated that the property was formerly a trailer park off of Hwy. 161. He related that the property consists of 5 acres and Mr. Cavin is proposing to redevelop the property for single family residence. He is platting 3 lots to begin with; pointing out that the property already has water, sewer, curb and gutter. He then added that within the last few months Mr. Cavin installed a sidewalk in front of lots 1-3. City Engineer Whisker recalled that the property was formerly the Halleluiah Trailer Park. He related that Mr. Cavin removed the trailers and demolished all the structures except for one. He stated that in 2007, Mr. Cavin proposed to subdivide the property into 26 lots and was approved as a preliminary plat. He explained that part of the lots will front Boroughs Road and the next lots will turn and go down Mayfair Road, which will consists of approximately 8 to 10 lots. He then added that there would be 12 internal lots. He stated that lots 1-3 already has curb and gutter so they would be the easiest to develop. He stated that the City had requested sidewalk and an inlet where Mr. Cavin’s property joined the neighboring property belonging to Mr. Youngblood. He related that Mr. Cavin hired someone to construct the sidewalk and inlet. He continued explaining that the road with curb and gutter is already existing so the inlet box was constructed and while it tis effective it is not aesthetic. He stated that the curb and gutter is part of the problem of what would be developed as lot 1, adding that there are no such concerns for lots 2 and 3. He clarified that the issue is more about lot 1 and how it connects to Mr. Youngblood’s property. He offered that no plans were submitted when the sidewalk was being constructed, explaining that Mr. Cavin was planning to have those improvements completed and return to get preliminary and final plat approval but it has now been over a year since he submitted the preliminary plat to the Planning Commission for approval. Therefore, the preliminary plat has to be resubmitted for approval again, so any design issues would have to go back through the Planning Commission. He stated that the inlet is a bad fix to what was a bad problem but it was not a problem until the property was being developed. In response to a question from Chairman Ott, City Engineer Whisker stated that it would be up to the Planning Commission if the inlet is redesigned. He went on to say that lots 2 and 3 are finished and can be final platted. He then stated that he believes Public Works Director Jim Oakley will request a fix of lot 1. He stated that it would not be unwarranted but currently it is an effective fix although it is not pretty. Mr. Butler answered that he felt Mr. Cavin would make the fix if it is required. He added that he is not sure what the problem with the current inlet is. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING DECEMBER 9, 2013 7:00 P.M. – 7:17 P.M. City Engineer Whisker explained that the existing curb and gutter is lower than the asphalt and part of the curb and gutter was asphalted over. He added that the pipe had to be extended back through to the curb. Commissioner Moore noted that it has an extra length of concrete that covers the pipe extension from Mr. Youngblood’s pipe to the storm drain inlet, which covers up more of the curb. City Engineer Whisker pointed out that it could be used as part of the driveway when a homebuilder constructs a house on that lot. He added that whoever buys lot 1 should be aware of the issue and that it needs to be addressed and that the City is not responsible to fix the current situation. He stated that sometimes even when you say “buy beware” they end up coming back to the City, which has been a problem in the past. Commissioner Moore pointed out that another concern for him is that the City requires an engineer to sign off on the preliminary plat. Mr. Butler assured Commissioner Moore that it would not be a problem. Commissioner Moore noted that in 2007 there was an engineer that signed off on the preliminary plat but that was before the inlet was put in. City Engineer Whisker stated that the preliminary plat will need to be signed off by an engineer before Planning Commission approval can be given. Mr. Butler stated that he was not aware of these issues but he would be glad to get with Mr. Cavin and City Engineer Whisker to work on this situation. He went on to say that he believes Mr. Cavin would be receptive to addressing any problems or issues in order to be able to get a final for lot 1. He added that in-between now and submittal of the final plat next month he would be willing to visit with City Engineer Whisker to determine a solution that would be satisfactory to the City. He stated that they would execute the certificates for engineering. Commissioner Moore issued concerns regarding a sunken area directly behind the storm drain on lot 1, questioning if that is part of the drainage for the lots. City Engineer Whisker stated that the drainage is typically located behind the lots, explaining that drainage flows to the rear. Chairman Ott noted that approval for the preliminary plat would need to address the necessary engineering certificates as well as any drainage issues before being finalized. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING DECEMBER 9, 2013 7:00 P.M. – 7:17 P.M. Mr. Butler stated that those conditions would be satisfactory for the developer. Commissioner White moved, seconded by Commissioner Moore to approve the Final Plat contingent that the proper engineering certificates be completed and signed and all drainage issues properly be addressed. Commissioner Moore noted that on the 2007 preliminary plat the easement line stopped behind Mr. Youngblood’s property, questioning if there is an easement that runs behind the proposed lots. City Engineer Whisker noted that the sewer easement runs off the back of lots 12-5 so there is not an easement behind lots 1-3, he added that he believes the sewer will come off the front of the property on Boroughs Drive. At this time, MOTION CARRIED. BUILDING PERMIT(S): GENERAL: ANNOUNCEMENT: ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Ott without objection adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:17 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _________________________ Susan L. Davitt