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97 FEB 06.docCITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 6, 1997 6:34 P.M. - 7:06 P.M. OPENING REMARKS: Chairman Gray opened the meeting and expressed appreciation for those in attendance. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Dana Nixon, Bob Walker, Mark Perry and John Hardwick answered ROLL CALL. Commissioners Reid, Brannen and Patton were absent. Chairman Bart Gray Jr. also answered ROLL CALL and declared a quorum. PRESENT five (5), ABSENT (3). (one vacancy remaining on the Planning Commission) Others present for the meeting were City Attorney Robert E. Bamburg, Deputy City Clerk Susan Davitt, petitioners and visitors. REQUEST FOR VARIANCE: Lots 1,2,3,4, and 5 of Kevin Subdivision General Location: Jane Drive and Smart Street Chairman Gray introduced the item of business, which had been duly advertised as a public hearing for 6:00 p.m., before the Planning Commission regarding a variance requested by Linda Koubek for placement of duplex units on Jane Drive in Kevin Subdivision and zoned R-2. He said that the variance is in the terminology of "site built". Ms. Mary Nash, an attorney, introduced herself to the Planning Commission as a partner with Linda Koubek, a Financial Planner whom she also introduced. She stated that she and Ms. Koubek own five lots on Jane Drive, four at the end of Jane Drive and one lot separated by three duplexes from the other lots. She said their intent is to move five (5) duplexes onto the lots. She related that they have been working with Blaineco Structural Movers in efforts to place the units, which are about 28' wide and 60' long, on to the lots. She said that the intent is to place the units lengthwise on the lots facing each other. She pointed out that there will be a court yard and two concrete parking spaces per dwelling or four (4) places per building with a patio for each duplex out back. Pictures were presented to the Commission by Ms. Nash which showed other buildings which have been moved into Jacksonville as well as pictures of the proposed project under consideration. She explained that the units were stick built at the location from which they are being removed by Blaineco Structural Movers and that foundations will be poured as with any stick built home placed in the City of Jacksonville. She related that all Municipal Codes will be adhered to and that the units will be bricked half-way up. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 6, 1997 6:34 P.M. - 7:06 P.M. She made the Planning Commission aware of how the buildings are removed from their location and moved to a new location. She pointed out properties on Overview, Redmond Rd., Canterbury Veterinarian Clinic on South First Street, and an apartment and Church on Stone Street, and a two-story home at 212 Oakhurst Street. She said that the partnership has a supervisor who will finalize the units, replacing bathrooms, kitchen, bringing all things up to code etc., as rental properties, that they are not for resale but rental income for she and Ms. Koubek. Commissioner Rudy Reid came in at 6:50 p.m. Chairman Gray asked where the homes were originally and if they were built on site at that location. Ms. Nash voiced that they were site built on twelfth street as Highland Court and that at the time of construction they were built better than new buildings today. Mr. Blane Epperson stated that the buildings are approximately forty (40) years old. Police Chief Larry Hibbs, a resident on Towering Oaks, voiced that he would like for the integrity of the neighborhood to be maintained pointing out that the duplexes in the area are very clean at present. He pointed out that the code sets forth "site built" residences. He presented pictures of existing apartments and of Lot #1. Mr. Eric Fusch stated that he was not consulted prior to the public hearing and voiced concerns that he owns the duplex adjacent to Lot #1. He said that his biggest concern is that the duplex proposed for Lot #1 will not face the road. Chairman Gray requested clarification on placement and asthetics when the units are ready for rental. Ms. Nash related that the lot sizes are 60' wide by 140' deep and that the duplexes are 28' wide and about 60' long. She said that the duplexes will have two parking spaces each adding that it is her desire to follow code with relation to placement and that the best way to place the units is lengthwise. The roof line and porches will be comparable to existing duplexes. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 6, 1997 6:34 P.M. - 7:06 P.M. Mr. Brimmage, a resident in Towering Oaks, mentioned that the developer voiced to him that the units will be partially bricked on the front and that a commitment to construct a privacy fence was mentioned by the developer. Ms. Koubek pointed out that the residents have been invited to watch the development as it progresses and that if a problem develops then it would be addressed. She said that at this point there are no plans for a fence. Mr. Fusch voiced again that he had concerns about placement of the units on Lot #1. Chairman Gray closed the public hearing at 7:00 p.m. Commissioner Reid questioned zoning which was stated to be R-2. Commissioner Bob Walker voiced that "site built" in the code is of concern to him stating that materials used in structures built forty years ago were probably better than those constructed today. Chairman Gray voiced that the variance is a request to move the units, built on site at the time of construction, from their original location to Jacksonville. Commissioner Hardwick voiced that he feels the intent of the code is to prohibit manufactured housing and that this is clearly a separate case noting that the petitioner has presented pictures of other properties with buildings on them which have been moved into the City. Commissioner Nixon noted that there is no definition in that section of the code book for "site built". She related that she has been involved, in the Little Rock area, in structures which have been moved and renovated which have become wonderful in their adaptive reuse expressing strong support for the variance request. Commissioner Hardwick moved, seconded by Commissioner Nixon that the variance request to place five duplex units on Lots #1,2,3,4, & 5 of Kevin Subdivision be GRANTED. MOTION CARRIED. Chairman Gray expressed appreciation to Mayor Swaim and the City Council for their patience in permitting the Planning Commission to finalize the business before them. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 6, 1997 6:34 P.M. - 7:06 P.M. ADJOURNMENT: At this time Chairman Gray adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:15 p.m. Respectfully, Lula M. Leonard Planning Commission Secretary CITY CLERK-TREASURER