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13 MAY 13 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MAY 13, 2013 7:00 P.M. – 7:21 P.M. OPENING REMARKS: The Planning Commission of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in regular session on May 13, 2013. Chairman Keaton opened the meeting at approximately 7:00 p.m. expressing appreciation to those in attendance. ROLL CALL: Commissioners Jim Peacock, Scott Scholl, Jim Moore, Avis Twitty, Joe Cummings, Jr., Joe Ott, and Alderman Bill Howard answered ROLL CALL. Chairman Keaton also answered roll call and declared a quorum. PRESENT (7), ABSENT (1). Others present for the meeting were City Attorney Bamburg, City Engineer Jay Whisker, interested citizens, petitioners, and press. CORRECTION AND/OR APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Ott moved, seconded by Commissioner Moore to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting of 08 April 2013 as presented. MOTION CARRIED. PUBLIC HEARING(S): REQUEST TO APPROVE PLAT(S): a. SKETCH PLAT: Hamilton Place RV Park Mr. Tommy Bond of Bond Engineering reviewed that the proposed location of the RV Park had been before the Planning Commission almost a year earlier when it was being submitted for the development of apartments. He explained that the area consists mostly of mobile homes so the developer, Mike Wilson is proposing to develop this property as an 18 slot RV Park. He then explained that the house on the property would be maintained as the manager’s onsite residence. City Engineer Whisker offered a brief history, relating that the property previously had mobile homes that were removed before being proposed for apartments. He went on to say that now the owner is proposing to develop the property as an RV Park. He explained that some cities hold a separate zoning for RV parks from mobile homes, while other cities allow the use of either in the same zoning. He stated that a separate zoning offers a clear definition of where an RV park or a mobile home park is located. He concurred with separating the zonings. City Attorney Bamburg offered that a recommendation could be made to the City Council to create a new zoning classification for RV parks. He explained that the only other RV park in Jacksonville was approved in 1993 and in 2001 City Council changed the ordinance regarding manufactured housing and mobile homes using a definition that does not include RV parks as it had before. He stated that the zoning in place now for the current RV park is R-4, which is technically multi-family housing. He stated that if this is a plan the Planning Commission would be in favor of approving he would request that the Planning Commission allow him to formulate an ordinance that would address the 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MAY 13, 2013 7:00 P.M. – 7:21 P.M. necessary changes and offer the appropriate definitions for an RV park. He offered that the Planning Commission could review the ordinance before recommending adoption to the City Council. He stated that he would suggest that the other RV park owner also have his park rezoned for that to be applicable. In response to a question from Commissioner Moore, Mr. Bond stated that he believes that the park would have a combination of motorized RV’s and “pull behinds”. He remarked that since the other RV park seems to stay full he assumes there is a market. He then answered that the owner has plans to improve the streets as well as putting in curb and gutter, and sidewalks. He then answered Commissioner Ott that he believes the street width would be 27’, which is much the same as a City street. He stated that the design was to angle the pads so it would be easier to back the RV into place. City Engineer Whisker clarified that the developer was considering making the street a one-way street. He then answered that the lots are 30’ wide, but since it is angled it ends up being almost 39’. Mr. Bond stated that there would be room for the RV and a dedicated parking space. City Engineer Whisker concurred with Commissioner Ott that the lot is approximately 75’ deep but with the angle it would be almost 80’. Mr. Bond stated that he spaces would have water and sewer connections, explaining that the developer is proposing to run water and electric across the back of the lot lines and sanitary sewer to the front. He answered that the developer is planning to make drainage improvements regarding the drainage ditch. City Attorney Bamburg advised the Commission that the item could be tabled until the next regularly scheduled meeting, offering suggestions to the developer regarding the sketch plat, adding that the motion could direct him to develop an ordinance to address the zoning issue. City Engineer Whisker asked the Commission to provide guidance as to how many RVs would be allowed per acre, which would dictate the lot size. He stated that the ordinance may change the sketch plat. Commissioner Moore stated that he is concerned as to whether this RV park would be a permanent residential situation. He noted another RV park where the RVs have become permanent and the wheels have been removed and skirted. He noted that the proposed area also has single- family homes. Discussion ensued and Mr. Bond assured the Commission that the developer would have to wait until the ordinance is developed to continue with his plans. 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MAY 13, 2013 7:00 P.M. – 7:21 P.M. City Engineer Whisker pointed out that he believes Code Enforcement may be treating the RV’s that go into mobile home parks and requiring them to be skirted. Mr. Bond stated that he believes economics would dictate that an RV park would not be permanent. He stated that he feels it would costs more to rent space by the day than it does by the month. He stated that the developer is catering to the transient community. Commissioner Ott moved, seconded by Commissioner Moore to table the item of business until the City Attorney drafts an ordinance to address the zoning and provisions governing an RV park for recommendation to the City Council. MOTION CARRIED. b. PRELIMINARY PLAT Kroger’s Fuel Center Mr. Greg Muller of the Ashley Group related Kroger’s proposal to construct a fuel center to go along with their grocery store, noting that this is something Kroger has done with many of their stores as part of their business plan. He explained that due to concerns at the Board of Adjustment meeting regarding the traffic flow the fuel center has been relocated to the suggested location within the shopping center. He noted that they are now proposing to locate the fuel center on the outer space of the parking lot in front of the Big Lots store. He then explained that the relocation crossed two tax parcels, so City Engineer Whisker has requested that the fuel center be platted as its own lot. City Engineer Whisker concurred, stating that the fuel center will be separated from the other 7 tax parcels within the shopping center. He stated that the City will require sidewalk as well as curb and gutter along Gregory Street as part of the preliminary plat. He noted that the site plan will be the next item for review. He then answered that the site plan does meet landscaping requirements. Commissioner Moore moved, seconded by Alderman Howard to approve the preliminary plat of Kroger’s Fuel Center as presented. MOTION CARRIED. BUILDING PERMIT(S): SITE PLAN Kroger’s Fuel Center Mr. Muller stated that the fuel center will be the typical design established by Kroger, explaining that it will have a Kiosk, approximately 170 square feet that will sell minor items. He then noted that the fuel center will have 5 pumps. City Engineer Whisker related that Board of Adjustment reviewed the original site plan and suggested that because of traffic flow it would be better located at the end of the parking lot in front of Big Lots instead of behind the Bank of America. He explained that it is now being proposed between the two Gregory Street driveways. He added that the Board of Adjustment did approve the parking variance. 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MAY 13, 2013 7:00 P.M. – 7:21 P.M. Commissioner Moore moved, seconded by Commissioner Twitty to approve the site plan for Kroger’s Fuel Center contingent upon approval from the Water and Sewer Departments. MOTION CARRIED. GENERAL: ANNOUNCEMENT: ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Keaton without objection adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:21 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _________________________ Susan L. Davitt 4