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08 MAR 10.doc CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 10, 2008 7:00 P.M. - 7:31 P.M. OPENING REMARKS: The Planning Commission of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in regular session on March 10, 2008. Chairman Traylor opened the meeting at approximately 7:00 p.m. expressing appreciation to those in attendance. ROLL CALL: Commissioners Art Brannen, Charles Evans, Susan Dollar, John Herbold, Tom Evans, and Alderman Bill Howard answered ROLL CALL. Chairman Traylor also answered ROLL CALL and declared a quorum. PRESENT (7), ABSENT (2). Others present for the meeting were Acting City Engineer Jay Whisker, Jay O’Neal, Duane Reel, interested citizens, petitioners, and press. CORRECTION AND/OR APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Howard moved, seconded by Commissioner Herbold to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting of 11 February 2008. MOTION CARRIED. PUBLIC HEARING(S): REZONING of property off Hamilton Street from R-7 to R-3 Chairman Traylor opened the public hearing at approximately 7:01 p.m. Mr. Jay O’Neal of 18 Shenandoah Way, Cabot, Arkansas stated that he purchased the property from Mr. Harold Parker, explaining that he is proposing to develop three quadplexes and one triplex. He related that he would use “green building standards” and the units would be all electric. He then related that the construction would consist of R-19 walls with cellos ceilings of R-35 with all vinyl siding on the exterior. He then explained that he proposes a 5’ sidewalk, 5 to 7” high in front of the development. He added that there would be a 5’ X 5’ porch for each front door. He stated that he has been a homebuilder for almost 25 years and is semi-retired. He related that he has constructed subdivisions in the Cabot area. He offered that he is very familiar with the rules and regulations and wants to work in compliance with the City of Jacksonville. Chairman Traylor closed the public hearing at approximately 7:04 p.m. Mr. O’Neal then offered that the area could be completely fenced with privacy fencing, proposing to stop the fencing 20’ from Hamilton Street in consideration of traffic visibility issues. 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 10, 2008 7:00 P.M. - 7:31 P.M. In response to a question posed by Commissioner Dollar, Mr. O’Neal answered that he does not own any of the adjacent property that currently has mobile homes. Acting City Engineer Whisker stated that the flag-shaped lot has existed for sometime and has a 36’ entrance to the property from Hamilton Street, answering that he does not believe one entrance would be a problem for this size development. Mr. O’Neal then answered that he was proposing to raise the building pads another 18” to address drainage, explaining that there is natural drainage through the center of the property that would not be changed. He then explained that he would construct a curb to slow the water before it flows further south. Acting City Engineer Whisker then answered that parking would be 1.5 spaces per unit, requiring 23 spaces. Landscaping was briefly discussed and Mr. O’Neal related that he would be willing to comply with Landscaping Codes given what is feasible for the property size. Commissioner Howard moved, seconded by Commissioner Dollar to recommend the rezoning of approximately 0.98 acres off Hamilton Street from R-7 to R-3 as requested. MOTION CARRIED. REQUEST TO APPROVE PLAT(S): PRELIMINARY & FINAL PLAT Bowen Subdivision Mr. Duane Reel explained that the owner of the property is proposing to sell one of the homes on the property so they are presenting a plat for a two-lot subdivision. He explained that the Water Department had requested a 10’ easement be established on James Street at the end of the lots and the Wastewater Utility wanted to ensure that each resident had their own sewer connection. He noted that the owner is in the process of having the sewer separated. Acting City Engineer Whisker answered that the houses are addressed as 1509 and 1505 North James Street. It was noted that the adjacent vacant lot is also owned by Mr. Bowen but is a separate lot from this parcel. Commissioner Brannen moved, seconded by Commissioner Evans to approve the Preliminary & Final Plat of the Bowen Subdivision, contingent upon completion of separate sewer connections. MOTION CARRIED. 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 10, 2008 7:00 P.M. - 7:31 P.M. b. FINAL PLAT Red Fox Subdivision Acting City Engineer Whisker related that Mr. Davis is trying to final plat the property so that he can begin construction on his personal home. He stated that Mr. Davis has agreed to construct a turnaround at the end of the street and make street improvements. He related that it is Mr. Davis’ request that the Final Plat request be changed to a metes and bounds building permit contingent on final platting of the property. Commissioner Herbold moved, seconded by Commissioner Howard to approve a metes and bounds building permit for Lot 1 Red Fox Subdivision, holding Certificate of Occupancy issue until the final plat has been approved by the City Council. MOTION CARRIED. c. FINAL PLAT V.B.C. Addition Mr. Scott Foster of Arkansas Surveying & Consulting stated that he is representing Victory Baptist Church. He related that the Church is requesting permission to construct an addition to the existing building. He stated that as discussed with Mr. Whisker easements for the sewer and the existing waterline will be shown on the final plat. He stated that drainage issues and the issue of a turnaround would be worked out with Acting City Engineer Whisker. He stated that for security reasons the Church is not in favor of constructing a turnaround coming in from Sandlewood Drive on the south. He suggested a compromise of a “hammerhead” turnaround suitable for the garbage trucks, which would still allow security for the Church. He related that the Church is requesting conditional approval. Acting City Engineer Whisker reviewed the location of property, noting that Sandlewood Drive comes in from the south and dead ends into the property. He explained the problem of garbage trucks having to back down Sandlewood Drive to service the area, reiterating the need for some type of turnaround at the end of Sandlewood Drive. He then related that the property has two or three drainage ditches that drain different areas of Hwy 161, adding that he would request easements for those drainage ditches as well as the waterline. He noted that the sewer is depicted as an existing easement on the plat. He then answered that the City would prefer a right-of-way dedication for the waterline, drainage ditches and turnaround, explaining that the turnaround would need to be built to City street standards including curb and gutter. 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 10, 2008 7:00 P.M. - 7:31 P.M. In response to a question posed by Commissioner Herbold regarding access for Fire Department equipment, Acting City Engineer Whisker explained that the Church does not want access from Sandlewood to the property. He noted a 42” wide ditch to the southwest side to where Sandlewood connects to the property, saying that he feels access to the building would be from the VBC property located on lot 4. Mr. Foster explained that the ditch would be diverted around the proposed hammerhead turnaround to the north side to prevent access. Discussion ensued and Mr. Rick Rodell a member of the Victory Baptist Church clarified that the Church is proposing to construct a small storage building, explaining that there was concern from the City because the property was not platted. He added that he did not feel the Church would want to construct the turnaround. He continued saying that the property was purchased for leisure activities such as picnics. He stated that a storage building with a pavilion would meet those needs, adding that the storage building would be approximately 12’ X 20’. He then explained that the storage building would not have electrical power or be plumbed for water. Acting City Engineer Whisker suggested that the petitioner change the request to a metes and bounds building permit. Victory Baptist Church was granted an amendment to change their request to a metes and bounds building permit. Commissioner Dollar moved, seconded by Commissioner Brannen to approve a metes and bounds building permit for a 20’ X 30’ accessory building with a pavilion, stipulating that building will not be within 20’ of any utility easement. MOTION CARRIED. BUILDING PERMIT(S): Apartment complex off Hamilton Street Chairman Traylor noted that the property is 0.98 acres. Mr. Jay O’Neal offered his willingness to answer any further questions. Acting City Engineer Whisker stated that Mr. O’Neal is aware of the landscaping requirements and has offered to comply. He then noted that the Water Department has requested that a fire hydrant be established at the front of the development, which Mr. O’Neal 4 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 10, 2008 7:00 P.M. - 7:31 P.M. has also agreed to furnish. He explained that the drive into the development would be 20’ concrete, adding that if the rezoning is approved by the City Council, he does not feel there are any development issues. He then added that Mr. O’Neal did receive a 10’ setback variance from the Board of Adjustment contingent upon approval of the rezoning and the metes and bounds building permit. He then answered that there would not be any access issues for the Fire Department, pointing out a hammerhead T on the north end of the site. Commissioner Howard moved, seconded by Commissioner Herbold to approve a metes and bounds building permit contingent upon the City Council’s approval regarding the recommendation to rezone property from R-7 to R-3. MOTION CARRIED. GENERAL: ANNOUNCEMENT: ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Traylor without objection adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:31 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _________________________ Susan L. Davitt 5