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95 OCT 09.doc CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 9, 1995 7:00 P.M. - 8:55 P.M. OPENING REMARKS: Vice-Chairman Gray opened the Planning Commission meeting and made the following comments. He stated that part of the normal business of the Planning Commission is to conduct public hearings. He related that the Planning Commission voted to set a public hearing for the regularly scheduled meeting of October regarding the rezoning of property on Hwy 67-167. He further related that the public hearing was properly advertised but that the property was not posted by the City. He apologized for the oversight, adding that the Planning Commission will not be able to officially conduct a public hearing. He stated that on behalf of the petitioners the Commission will expedite procedure and hold a special public hearing as soon as advertising time will allow. Mrs. Emma Knight representative for the petitioners agreed to a special public hearing scheduled for October 30, 1995 at 7:00 p.m. Commissioner Dornblaser moved, seconded by Commissioner Reid to hold a special Planning Commission meeting October 30, 1995 at 7:00 p.m. to hear the rezoning request for property located along Hwy 67-167. MOTION CARRIED. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Rudy Reid, Connie Foster, Jim Dornblaser, Kenny Elliott, Lester Piggee, and Jack Patton answered ROLL CALL. Chairman Brannen was absent due to a death in his family. Vice-Chairman Gray answered ROLL CALL and declared a quorum. PRESENT six (6), ABSENT (1). Others present for the meeting were City Attorney Robert E. Bamburg, City Engineer Duane Reel, Deputy City Clerk Susan Davitt, Engineering Receptionist Marci Wilson, Alderman Reedie Ray, and petitioners. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Commissioner Piggee moved, seconded by Commissioner Patton that the minutes of the September 11, 1995 Regular Planning Commission Meeting be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. REQUEST TO SET UP PUBLIC HEARINGS: REQUEST TO APPROVE BUILDING PERMITS: CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 9, 1995 7:00 P.M. - 8:55 P.M. REQUEST TO APPROVE PLATS: Preliminary Plat/Stonewall Phase VII Vice Chairman Gray related that during the August 14th meeting the plat was tabled and now requires a motion to re-open the item of business. Commissioner Dornblaser moved, seconded by Commissioner Reid to take the Preliminary Plat of Stonewall Subdivision Phase VII off the table and discuss the item of business. MOTION CARRIED. It was noted by Vice Chairman Gray and City Engineer Reel that the plat being provided for review correctly represents changes requested by the Engineering Department. It was pointed out by Commissioner Elliott that there has never been an approved Sketch Plat for the subdivision. Acting Chairman Gray gave the following overview of the history of the plat; (1) presentation in December 1994, tabled at that time for presentation in January but withdrawn by sponsor before the meeting (2) presentation of a preliminary plat of Stonewall Subdivision Phase VII in August 1995 at which time the plat was tabled for several reasons as set forth in the minutes of said meeting. He said that Mr. Dick Olson, President of the Stonewall Property Owners Association stated that legal council had informed them that eighty percent of the property owners in the existing phases of Stonewall would be required to approve the acceptance into the association with regard to the subdivision proposed by Mr. Green. He said that the Association has issued a statement in June that they are not in agreement with any addition to Stonewall at this time adding that the letter was an opinion with no binding legal affect. He pointed out that the plat has no legal standing, namewise, with the rest of Stonewall at this point. Acting Chairman Gray related that at present there is a mandatory fee structure and benefits to those property owners in the existing Stonewall Subdivision. Mr. Tommy Bond informed the Commission that Mr. Green recently did a mail out and that he has received 140 written approvals so far. He said that he will pursue the issue and try to get the 400 signatures required for acceptance of the addition. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 9, 1995 7:00 P.M. - 8:55 P.M. Commissioner Foster questioned the responsibility for maintenance with regard to the retention pond. Mr. Bond related that drainage improvements within subdivisions become the responsibility of the City. City Engineer Reel related that drainage retention will have to be a consideration with any future development within the City because of problems in the past. He said that the concept has been to get all the water off leaving existing subdivisions down from that development to suffer the extra drainage. He related that the retention basin concept is being considered by other cities, adding that due to growth in the City developments will have to retain and contain all the drainage. He pointed out that the retention basis will be mowed and maintained in the same fashion as the rest of the drainage improvements in the City. He stated that it would be a city requirement and for city maintenance. He related that a retention basin will hold drainage during rains and then release them downstream at no greater rate than experienced before the development occurred. He explained the different methods for construction of a retention basin and how they work, adding that the basin would be designed to hold a 1 in 50 year rain with pipes designed to hold a 1 in 10 year rain which is basically what drop inlets, curbs and cutters are designed to do today. He estimated that there are two to three acres involved in the retention area which would have to be mowed. He stated that the retention basin will have to be constructed in the flood plain, not the flood way explaining that the flood way cannot be disturbed unless you excavate or lower present elevation. Commissioner Dornblaser and Foster raised concerns regarding the two exits from the proposed development. It was estimated that the exits onto Berkshire and Loop Road would create excess traffic. Discussion ensued as to the location of the access onto Loop Road with regard to the location of the access onto Loop Road from Ferrell Drive. It was determined by City Engineer Reel that the best location for the proposed access onto Loop Road from the development would be directly across from the Ferrell Drive access. He said that the ideal intersection is ninety (0) degrees. He related that the proposed four-lane process will extend from Linda Lane to North First Street along Loop Road with two lanes tapered to Berkshire Drive. He said that possibly two more phases will extend to Graham Road at which time he suggested that a traffic light at Berkshire Dr., Linda Lane, Northeastern and Graham Road will probably be installed. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 9, 1995 7:00 P.M. - 8:55 P.M. City Engineer Reel related that there is a piece of private property located between Stonewall Park and Loop Road. He stated that there were no waivers requested when the plat of Stonewall Phase VII was presented in August. He pointed out that he requested that the access be changed as presented, getting it further south away from Berkshire Drive. He said that there were concerns regarding the retention basins with regard to drainage. He related that lot sizes are larger than required and that there are no design flaws in the plat before the Commission. Concerns regarding traffic were voiced by Commissioner Patton, Foster and Elliott. There was discussion regarding ingress and egress off Loop Rd and Berkshire and it was noted that there are thirty lots in this phase of the subdivision. There were concerns also regarding length and radius of culdesacs. Mr. Tommy Bond voiced that the developer is willing to commit to developing a street opening on Loop Road if the Commission so desires in the development of Phase 1. It was suggested that the street accommodate Ferrell Drive which opens onto Loop Rd. on the North side. City Engineer Reel said that the Commission needs to be sure that a second outlet on Loop Rd. does not offset or become close to Green Acres Rd., that it should be placed further to the east. Acting Chairman Gray pointed out that there are approximately four hundred houses in Stonewall at present with four outlets comparing said ingress and egress with the plat under discussion. It was the general consensus of the Commission that there is no need to improve Berkshire Drive with curb and gutter at this time. Commissioner Reid in voicing his opinion with regard to Ferrell Drive said that he did not feel there was enough room for a second ingress, egress on to Loop Road from the proposed subdivision. Mr. Bond related that he did not feel that criteria used to justify a traffic signal relating to the development is met at this point. He pointed out that the major traffic generator is the school on Linda Lane, which is to be improved to a four-lane street, adding that he felt traffic on Loop Road would drop considerably upon completion of the project. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 9, 1995 7:00 P.M. - 8:55 P.M. Commissioner Dornblaser mentioned the matter of construction in a floodway or a floodplain and bringing said construction into compliance with rules and regulations giving as an example Critter Hollow a development by Mr. Green in Foxwood. He expressed that he, along with others in the City, do not favor the concept pointing out that there is no legal ordinance to stop such construction. Acting Chairman Gray asked for other comments regarding the aesthetic appeal. There were none. The consensus of the Commission was as follows; that a second entrance at Ferrell Drive would serve the subdivision best, 50' street right of way with a 48' paved street regarding culdesacs, and that the retention ponds be constructed to the satisfaction of the City Engineer. The engineer suggested that the entire basin be constructed in the first phase. He pointed out that the Bill of Assurance should reflect that the area of the retention basin be reserved for drainage structures with possibly an easement drawn up for the area giving the city access for maintenance of the area. He suggested that the legal description of the basin be included in the development of Phase I with property ownership reserved by a Property Owners Association. Commissioner Elliott raised a question regarding open drainage ditches in future subdivision developments. City Engineer Reel voiced that open ditches will not be allowed any more. He said that catch basins and pipes will have to be put in any time private property is involved because conduits will be closed. He related that when residents move in and fences are put up the city is not able to get equipment into the area for maintenance. He said that this concept will be complied with before final approval will be given from the engineering department regarding the development of a subdivision. It was noted by Mr. Bond that, due to the expense involved in the planning for water and sewer, plans were not submitted by the developer before approval of the Preliminary Plat. He pointed out that in the past several years the Planning Commission has approved preliminary plats without approval from the Water and Sewer Commissions. Commissioner Elliott pointed out that the Planning Commission has the option to deal with the water and sewer at the time of Preliminary Plat submission or at a later date. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 9, 1995 7:00 P.M. - 8:55 P.M. Mr. Tommy Bond related that water and sewer plans are already drawn, that there will be no open ditches and that the details of street and drainage plans will be put together in the immediate future. City Engineer Reel explained how a decision is arrived at regarding traffic signal installation. He said that it takes a lot of traffic over an extended length of time to warrant installation of a traffic light. He said that care must be taken to follow state and federal guidelines of those who will be contributing money to such projects. He pointed out the number of homes in the Stonewall Subdivision with four outlets and one of those signalized, in comparison to the ingress and egress for the subdivision under consideration. Commissioner Piggee moved, seconded by Commissioner Foster to approve the Preliminary Plat of Stonewall Phase VII subject to compliance with the requirements of the office of the City Engineer with the following stipulations: an additional street with an exit on Loop Rd. across from Ferrell Drive, the culdesac design to show improvement radius of 48 ft. of pavement, final approval by the Planning Commission on the plans for streets and drainage including the retention pond which is to be presented at the next regular meeting of the Planning Commission. Commissioner Elliott abstained. All other Commissioners voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Commissioner Dornblaser made several suggestions regarding other changes he would like to see in Planning Commission regulations. MAIN STREET REVITALIZATION: ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourn at approximately 8:55 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, Lula M. Leonard Planning Commission Secretary CITY CLERK-TREASURER