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02 SEP 09.doc CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 9, 2002 7:00 P.M. – 7:43 P.M. OPENING REMARKS: Vice Chairman Perry opened the meeting at approximately 7:00 p.m. expressing appreciation for those in attendance. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Susan Dollar, Chad Young, Bobby Lester, Glen Keaton, and William Montgomery, answered ROLL CALL. Vice Chairman Perry also answered ROLL CALL. PRESENT five (5), ABSENT (3). Others present for the meeting were City Engineer Whisker, Mr. Tommy Bond, Miss Chai Khanarakkul, Mr. Phillip Keaton, Mr. Bart Gray, Mr. Pat O’Brien, Mr. Charles Bocksnick, members of the press, interested citizens, and petitioners. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Commissioner Lester moved, seconded by Commissioner Keaton that the minutes of the 8 August 2002 Regular Planning Commission meeting be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. PUBLIC HEARING(S): a. Letter of Map Amendment John Harden Drive/Marshall Road Vice Chairman Perry opened the public hearing at approximately 7:07 p.m. City Engineer Whisker related that the owner wants to sell his property on Marshall Road adjacent to the car wash on the north side of the existing flood way ditch. He related that in the process of selling the property it was discovered through an engineering study that existing conditions of the floodway is shown to be of a smaller width. He stated that it was necessary to contact the property owners and hold a public hearing as a matter of record. He explained that the floodway width was reduced, adding that the floodplain remains the same or was reduced, but did not encompass any more of the property. Mr. Tommy Bond related that the owner Mr. Haskill, initiated the study conducted by Mr. Bernie Alt, which has been forwarded to FEMA. He added that public notice is one of the FEMA requirements. He stated that the area was previously documented incorrectly, saying that the study reduces the floodway and lowers the flood level regarding the area between Marshall Road to Hwy 67. In response to a question from Mr. Gene Breck, owner of the car wash at 209 Marshall Road, City Engineer Whisker related that his property would be taken out of the floodway and the floodplain. With no one to speak in opposition, Vice Chairman Perry closed the public hearing at approximately 7:12 p.m. City Attorney Bamburg clarified that it is not necessary for the Planning Commission to approve by motion for the map amendment to proceed. 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 9, 2002 7:00 P.M. – 7:43 P.M. b. REZONING of 723 School Drive from R-7 to C-4. Vice Chairman Perry opened the public hearing at approximately 7:12 p.m. Petitioner Mr. John Davis of 270 Oliver Lane in Cabot, related that he owns Whit Davis Lumber Company at 723 School Drive. He explained that he also owns a triangular shaped piece of property that is adjacent to the Railroad directly behind 701 School Drive. He said that he purchased property addressed off Hwy 161, which is located behind the property he is requesting to be rezoned. He added that the triangular property is 1000ft. deep, and that approximately 25 years ago the property had mobile homes. He went on to say that he has been the owner of the property for the past 15 years. He related that there is a storage facility located on the property that he proposes to demolish, and construct a 100 X 100ft building to be used as a new storage facility. With no one to speak in opposition, Chairman Brannen closed the public hearing at approximately 7:14 p.m. Commissioner Montgomery related that he had visited the property and spoken with Mr. Davis regarding his plans. He related that the property is an open area that can accommodate the 100 X 100ft building. In response to a question from Commissioner Young, City Engineer Whisker related that the land use plan shows the surrounding area as commercial. He then answered that the Railroad has a right-of-way and that the proposed construction would fit City regulations regarding setbacks. He then answered that the Fire Marshall has reviewed and approved the plans. Commissioner Young moved, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery to approve the rezoning from R-7 to C-4 as requested. MOTION CARRIED. City Attorney Bamburg noted that the rezoning ordinance would be th addressed by the City Council on September 19. BUILDING PERMIT(S): 723 School Drive/Storage Facility for Whit Davis Lumber Vice Chairman Perry noted that approval of the building permit would be contingent upon City Council approval of the rezoning ordinance on th the 19 of September. Commissioner Lester moved, seconded by Commissioner Young to approve the building permit, contingent on City Council approval regarding the ordinance to rezone the property from R-7 to C-4. MOTION CARRIED. REQUEST TO APPROVE PLAT(S): a. PRELMINARY/FINAL PLAT First Place Commercial Park Phase II 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 9, 2002 7:00 P.M. – 7:43 P.M. Vice Chairman Perry noted that the petitioner is Mr. Joe Collins, represented by R & K Services. Representative Mr. Phillip Keaton related that the plat is a one-lot subdivision regarding a request to build a new eye clinic, north of Jacksonville Fitness Center and south of the existing eye clinic on North First Street. City Engineer Whisker related that his only concern regarding the final plat is the sewer line that has not yet been constructed. He explained that the proposed owner does not want to complete purchase until the property has been final platted. He clarified that the proposed buyer does not want to incur the costs to run sewer if he is not going to purchase the property. He then related that sidewalks would be placed along North First Street. It was noted that the sewer plans drawn by Bond Engineering were approved by the Wastewater Commission. Mr. Keaton stated that if the plat is approved, Mr. Collins will file the plat but intends to have the sewer line completed before the building construction is finished. City Engineer Whisker related approval prior to utilities being in place would go along the same line as when the City Council approved the final plat of the Oak Ridge Ranch Subdivision, pointing out that a certificate of occupancy would not be issued until the sewer is completed and that the building permit would be stamped “not all utilities available”. In response to a question from Commissioner Dollar, Mr. Keaton related that the lot would be 220ft. in depth. He then noted that further development of the property in the general vicinity would need to be addressed by First Place Commercial, owned by Mr. Jim Green. In response to a question from Commissioner Montgomery, City Engineer Whisker related that the drainage ditch separates the property from First Baptist Church. City Engineer Whisker then noted that the Fire Marshall has reviewed and approved the development plans. Commissioner Dollar moved, seconded by Commissioner Young to approve the Preliminary/Final Plat of the First Place Commercial Subdivision PH II. Discussion ensued regarding construction plans for the sewer pending approval of the final plat; Commissioner Dollar placed an addendum to the previous motion. 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 9, 2002 7:00 P.M. – 7:43 P.M. Commissioner Dollar moved, seconded by Commissioner Young to approve the Preliminary/Final Plat of the First Place Commercial Subdivision PH II, stipulating that the certificate of occupancy not be issued until the sewer line is completed. MOTION CARRIED. b. SKETCH PLAT Underwood Subdivision Vice Chairman Perry related that the petitioner is Mr. Glen Underwood, represented by Bond Engineering. Representative Mr. Tommy Bond stated that the 61-acre property was recently purchased from the Metropolitan Trust. He stated that Mr. Underwood is requesting consideration from the Planning Commission regarding the geometry of the proposed Subdivision. He related that the lots would be 70’ X 125’ and consists of 164 lots total. He then related that there is an additional request to rezone a small area of the property at the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting in October. He added that the area to be considered for rezoning is a small parcel at the corner of General Samuels and Harris Road. He pointed out that the property does not lend itself to single-family development, because the property is too long and narrow to be subdivided into individual lots. He related that multi-family development of the property would need to have access onto General Samuels, so the parking could be centralized to reduce the ingress and egress onto General Samuels or Harris Road to one or two driveways. In response to a question from Commissioner Keaton, Mr. Bond related that the property has a major drain, which goes into the Air Base. He then stated that the design of the property is to avoid crossing that major drain. He then stated that some of the drainage area is planned for retention, regarding the use of weirs to have some pools that can be used as landscape features. City Engineer Whisker stated his desire for a right-hand turn lane at the corner because of westbound traffic being generated on General Samuel to turn northbound on Harris Road. He then related the requirement to have sidewalks along General Samuel and Harris Road where the inroads are not culdesacs and are greater than 20 lots deep. He stated that if the developer is not planning to connect the two development areas across the drain, his thought would be to have a footbridge for the children crossing to go to school. He related that his other concern would be that with 122 lots, there would need to be a second entrance or a larger entrance that would accommodate more than one car in and out. He noted that the waterline in the area would have to be looped in from Woodland Hills to Harris Road and added that the other concern is for sewer. He pointed out that the sewer would have to be pumped back into Woodland Hills, adding that he believes the pump station to be sufficient. Mr. Bond related that the first two tiers of 40 – 50 lots will gravity back to the existing Woodland Hills pump station, and that the Woodland Hills pump station is under its capacity rate and is probably 4 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 9, 2002 7:00 P.M. – 7:43 P.M. at 30% capacity. He then related that once the first two tiers are gravitated back to the Woodland Hills pump station; decisions will be made regarding sewer for the rest of the Subdivision. He pointed out that there is a pump station at Tolleson Elementary School that is under utilized, being only 30 to 40% of its capacity. He related that they would develop ideas regarding the sewer. In response to a question posed by Commissioner Lester, Mr. Bond answered that the first entrance is very near the top of the hill, allowing traffic to see both ways. He then related that there has been some discussion regarding a second entrance to be placed by lot 62, adding that the west side of the development does not lend itself to other than has been designed. Mr. Bond then pointed out that this is the third conceptual plan regarding the property, adding that this plan leaves more open space along the ditch. He then addressed the issue of sidewalks, saying that the area along the side of the road (north side of General Samuels) is very rough and has a ditch for some distance adjacent to the road. He related that they would like to approach the Commission and request that rather than building a sidewalk along General Samuel, they would like build one up the drain area so that the residents would have a way to get to the Tolleson School, and that it would provide residents with a place to walk. He related that with the construction of weirs in the drain area for retention it would make the area nice to walk through regarding a scenic view. He then pointed out that the rest of the development could connect to that area. He stated that the concept of building a sidewalk along General Samuels, while it is a good idea, to build a sidewalk there and have it match future improvements to make General Samuels into four lanes would be difficult. He stated that the odds are “slim to none” that the sidewalk would survive any future expansion of the Street. He stated that it seems like a terrible waste, and pointed out that there is no development that fronts on General Samuels, except the proposed multi-family area at the corner. He stated that he did not think the Planning Commission would have to decide tonight, but felt it should be mentioned for consideration. In response to a question from Commissioner Dollar, Mr. Bond related that the sidewalk going up the drain would be five to six feet in width, adding that his thought would be to build the same type of sidewalk that the City constructed in Dupree Park. City Engineer Whisker related that the sidewalk in Dupree Park is a ten-foot asphalt trail. In response to a question from Commissioner Montgomery, Mr. Bond related that the development is inside the City limits. He added that his feeling is that the lots would be really beautiful and that the City needs this type of development in proximity to the school and the Air Base. 5 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 9, 2002 7:00 P.M. – 7:43 P.M. Vice Chairman Perry questioned if a Bill of Assurance had been formulated to gain an idea regarding the size of the homes. Mr. Bond stated that he was sure Mr. Underwood has thoughts regarding that. Discussion ensued and Mr. Underwood stated the homes would be between 1200 to 1400 square foot, saying that it would probably be a little bigger than Parkview Subdivision homes. It was also noted that homes in the Fair Oaks subdivision are between 1400 to 1600 square feet. Mr. Bond stated that the size of homes would fit well with the Woodland Hills area, guessing that those houses there between the 1200 to 1400 range. City Engineer Whisker stated that regarding the sketch plat, he believes the only considerations would be a possible third entrance, and direction regarding the sidewalk and/or trail. He then clarified that the sidewalk as required by ordinance would be for General Samuels and Harris Road. He then answered that while the issue did not completely have to be decided tonight, he felt it prudent to offer the developer directions. Mr. Bond stated that he felt plans were pretty well set to have a third entrance by lot 62. He then related that the subdivision would be offered in phases through the Planning Commission, saying that the first phase will probably be the tiers of lots that can gravity sewer to Woodland Hills. He stated that he and the developer are going to meet with the Water Commission regarding the waterline. He then explained that a 12” waterline is planned for the area, however, hopefully arrangements can be worked out for an 8” waterline. He stated that an 8” waterline would be sufficient for the subdivision. He related that there is another large tract of land across the street that has just changed hands, and hopefully everybody working together the right size waterlines and sewer lines can be put in place. He stated that those issues will develop themselves out and there will be more discussion about the right turn lane at Harris Road. City Engineer Whisker stated that the other issue is the forty-foot of right-of-way for General Samuels. Mr. Bond responded that General Samuels has an 80ft. right-of-way. City Engineer Whisker related that issue regarding 50 ft. for an extra turn lane. Mr. Bond stated that he believes some of the issues would better decided after the decision regarding the rezoning of the property. 6 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 9, 2002 7:00 P.M. – 7:43 P.M. Commissioner Young moved, seconded by Commissioner Keaton to approve the Sketch Plat of the Underwood Subdivision as presented with the following recommendations with a third drive, the right-hand turn lane and sidewalk construction along General Samuels. MOTION CARRIED. ANNOUNCEMENT: Vice Chairman Perry introduced and welcomed Miss Chai Khanarakkul (Eek) to Arkansas. He related that she is a foreign exchange student from Thailand staying with Commissioner Dollar. ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Brannen without objection adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:43 p.m. Respectfully, ____________________________ Susan L. Davitt Planning Commission Secretary 7