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06 MAR 13.doc CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 13, 2006 7:14 P.M. – 7:44 P.M. OPENING REMARKS: The Planning Commission of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in Regular Session on March 13, 2006. Chairman Stroud opened the meeting at approximately 7:14 p.m. expressing appreciation for those in attendance. ROLL CALL: Commissioners Art Brannen, Emma Knight, Bart Gray Jr., Glen Keaton, Kevin McCleary, Mike Traylor, and John Herbold answered ROLL CALL. Chairman Stroud also answered ROLL CALL and declared a quorum. PRESENT (8), ABSENT (1). Others present for the meeting were City Engineer Whisker, Bob Williams, Tommy Bond, various petitioners and press. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Commissioner Brannen moved, seconded by Commissioner Keaton that the minutes of the 13 February 2006 Regular Planning Commission meeting be approved as presented. MOTION CARRIED. PUBLIC HEARING(S): a. Conditional Use of R-3 in C-1 zone for vacant property at the corner of Military and Loop Roads Chairman Stroud opened the public hearing at approximately 7:15 p.m. Mr. James Reid stated that he is acting as representative for owner Mr. Mohammad Lone, adding that the prospective buyer and architectural firm are also present in the audience. He noted that the architectural firm is the same firm that constructed the Jacksonville towers in the 1970’s. With no one else to speak, Chairman Stroud closed the public hearing at approximately 7:18 p.m. City Engineer Whisker related that the property consists of approximately 7 acres and is located at the northeast corner of Military and Loop Roads. He noted the longer portion of the property is adjacent to the sidewalk that leads into the Murrell Taylor Elementary School and the east portion leads to Mr. Harden’s trailer park behind the property. He stated that the property is long and not very deep in a triangular shape. In response to a question posed by Commissioner Keaton, City Engineer Whisker answered that the longer portion of the property is along Loop Road and that water and sewer are located next to the property and on the other side of the road. He stated that there are currently two established sewer easements by prescription through the property. 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 13, 2006 7:14 P.M. – 7:44 P.M. Commissioner Knight moved, seconded by Commissioner McCleary to approve the conditional use as requested with Commissioner Gray abstaining from the vote. MOTION CARRIED. b. Landscaping waiver at 116 Marshall Road for Waffle House Chairman Stroud opened the public hearing at approximately 7:19 p.m. Mr. Ryan Peterson of Waffle House, Inc. related that Waffle House has been a part of the Jacksonville Community for slightly over thirty years. He noted that repair work has been done over the years and now they are proposing an extensive remodel. He stated that the remodeling process would evoke the landscaping ordinance, explaining that the site is very small at only .36 acres. He stated that currently there is only 112 square feet along Marshall Road that is available for landscaping, which is less than 1% of the entire site that is in a pervious landscaping area. He related their desire for site and landscaping improvements during the remodel but explained the need not to lose parking spaces. He related that currently the site has 28 parking spaces, which will already be cut by one parking space to accommodate a walk-in cooler at the rear of the building. He stated that the restaurant features seating for 42 customers and that there are approximately 5 to 7 employees, which leaves them short regarding parking spaces. He noted that a typical Waffle House has 35 to 40 parking spaces, adding that the Jacksonville Waffle House performs above Corporate average. He demonstrated that the proposed site plan offers additional landscaping and a landscaping strip along Dawkins Drive. He added that the proposed plan reserves over 14% of the site for landscaping, which is over 20 times the landscaping areas that were shown before. He explained that they are seeking relief from the interior landscaping requirements given consideration for their need of parking spaces. With no one else to speak, Chairman Stroud closed the public hearing at approximately 7:25 p.m. City Engineer Whisker concurred with Mr. Peterson’s assessment of the site. In response to a question posed by Commissioner Keaton, Mr. Peterson answered that the dumpster screen would remain in its current location with the addition of swing out gates in the front, and would be painted to match the building. 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 13, 2006 7:14 P.M. – 7:44 P.M. Commissioner Herbold noted that the proposed plan exceeds the required 8% of exterior landscaping, adding that if the petitioner were required to install interior landscaping it would interfere with that portion of the building that provides a covered handicap access. He voiced his support of the proposed landscaping site plan. Commissioner Herbold moved, seconded by Commissioner Keaton to grant the waiver for the proposed landscaping plan regarding remodeling plans for the Waffle House located at 116 Marshall Road. In response to a question posed by Chairman Stroud, it was noted that the sidewalk ends on the opposite side of Dawkins Drive. Chairman Stroud pointed out that the motion does not include provisions regarding sidewalk requirements. Commissioner Gray noted that when improvements were approved for the service station adjacent to Waffle House they were not required to provide sidewalks because the property is paved up to the street. Following a brief discussion, City Engineer Whisker clarified that all sidewalk construction is designated for public rights- of-way. Chairman Stroud pointed out the possibility of a sidewalk from the curb to the gas station as a continuation of the sidewalk leading from Chili’s Restaurant. Discussion ensued and it was clarified by City Attorney Bamburg that the motion to waiver as it stands would not relieve the petitioner of sidewalk requirements along Marshall Road. City Engineer Whisker stated that he did not believe there would be sidewalk requirements for Dawkins Drive. Following further discussion Commissioner Herbold amended his motion to include that sidewalks as Code required be stipulated as part of the improvements to the property. Commissioner Keaton seconded and the MOTION CARRIED. REQUEST TO APPROVE PLATS: a. FINAL PLAT Bevcook Addition at 1013 Casey Street 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 13, 2006 7:14 P.M. – 7:44 P.M. Ms. Josett Taft of Jim Walter’s Homes related that she would be representing the petitioner, Ms. Beverly Cook. She stated that the plat is a replat of a metes and bounds described property into a two-lot subdivision at 1013 Casey Street. She added that both water and sewer have approved the plat. City Engineer Whisker related that the property is an older metes and bounds described property, explaining that the owner is proposing to live in the existing house while building another house on the property and then demolish the first house when the new house is completed. Commissioner Brannen moved, seconded by Commissioner Herbold to approve the Final Plat of the Bevcook Addition as submitted. MOTION CARRIED. b. FINAL PLAT Lot 1 CenturyTel Addition Mr. Paxton Singleton of Global Consultants stated that he would be representing CenturyTel. He related that during the planning stages for a large addition to the CenturyTel property, it was suggested by City Engineer Whisker that the property be platted. He related that the property consists of approximately 8.28 acres and all utilities are existing. He noted that the property is being platted in order to provide 15’ of right-of-way on Main Street for possible future expansion to Main Street. He added that the sidewalk improvements are being bonded so the City can construct and place the sidewalks as they prefer. He stated that no easements were discovered during a title search. City Engineer Whisker clarified that a bond for the sidewalks is to ensure that the developer will build the sidewalks to City specifications. He then concurred with the remainder of Mr. Singleton’s assessment of the final plat. In response to a question posed by Commissioner Keaton, City Engineer Whisker related that the utilities are located to the front of the property and Mr. Singleton answered that there are easements shown in the Subdivision to the north of the property as required with a preliminary plat. He noted that the building expansion would still be within the proper setbacks. In response to a question posed by Commissioner Herbold, City Engineer Whisker related that regarding a metes and bounds property the developer must either seek permission for a building permit or plat the property as a final plat in order to build on the property. 4 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 13, 2006 7:14 P.M. – 7:44 P.M. Commissioner Keaton asked that Mr. Singleton note the need to change from “certificate of preliminary plat” to “certificate of final plat” on the plat presented. In response to a question posed by Commissioner Herbold, City Engineer Whisker responded that the expansion will not affect the parking, adding that the proposed expansion will almost double the size of the building. Mr. Singleton noted that part of the parking may be reworked but only to help make a better traffic flow within the parking lot. He added that there are approximately 150 parking spaces to the rear of the building. Commissioner Knight questioned if the expansion would change the number of employees or the current operations for CenturyTel. Mr. Singleton stated that he was not able to answer what the consequences of the expansion would be. City Engineer Whisker stated that it is his understanding that additional employees would be added at the location. Commissioner Knight moved, seconded by Commissioner Gray to approve the Final Plat of Lot 1, CenturyTel Addition as submitted. MOTION CARRIED. BUILDING PERMITS: a. SITE PLAN 213 Marshall Road Mr. Dewey Sims founder of Fishnet Missions related that the Mission has been located in Jacksonville for approximately 4 years and was established for the purpose of helping people. He stated that they currently have 7,727 families in their on-site computer. He related the need for additional space, explaining that he is proposing to construct a 40’ X 70’ metal building. He then related that the canopy located on the existing building would be removed and replaced with a metal canopy that matches the building. He added that there are also plans to plant trees between this property and the adjacent car wash. He stated that the property has existing utilities. City Engineer Whisker related the need for additional parking at the site, explaining he has not yet received building plans that would be reviewed by the Fire Marshal and himself. 5 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 13, 2006 7:14 P.M. – 7:44 P.M. Commissioner Knight moved, seconded by Commissioner Gray to approve the building permit contingent upon approval by the City Engineer and Fire Marshal regarding the site plan. MOTION CARRIED. GENERAL: ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Stroud without objection adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:44 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _________________________ Susan L. Davitt 6