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15 MAY 11 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MAY 11, 2015 7:00 P.M. – 7:21 P.M. OPENING REMARKS: The Planning Commission of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in regular session on May 11, 2015. Chairman Ott opened the meeting at approximately 7:00 p.m. expressing appreciation to those in attendance. ROLL CALL: Commissioners Jim Moore, Joe Cummings, Jr., Rick White, and Alderman Howard answered ROLL CALL. Chairman Ott also answered roll call and declared a quorum. PRESENT (5), ABSENT (4). Others present for the meeting were City Engineer Jay Whisker, Keith Webber, interested citizens, petitioners, and press. CORRECTION AND/OR APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner White moved, seconded by Commissioner Cummings, Jr. to approve the minutes of the March 17, 2015 regularly scheduled meeting as presented. MOTION CARRIED. PUBLIC HEARING(S): REQUEST TO APPROVE PLAT(S): PRELIMINARY PLAT Cornerstone Subdivision Lots 1 and 2 Stacy Akin with McClelland Engineers introduced himself and made himself available for questions. City Engineer Whisker offered a brief history, explaining that the property is the southeast corner of Hwy. 107 and General Samuels. He related that before the new water tank was constructed there was some interest to build apartments and a convenience store with a gas station, adding that it was zoned for that use and has been zoned for that use since before the year 2000. He stated that the water pressure was not sufficient so the owner had to construct their own water tower, adding that they chose to delay the project. He added that then Jacksonville Water Works constructed a 3 million gallon water tank, noting that now there is enough water pressure for an apartment development. He stated that the land is being purchased and they are requesting to subdivide the property following the zonings, noting that lot 2 would be the C-2 zoning of the C-3 and lot 1 would be the R-3 zoning for the apartments. He then answered that it shows on the zoning map as R-3, adding that he would research to confirm. He stated that it has been on his zoning map as R-3 since the beginning of his employment in 2000. He stated that his recollection was that Alyson in the City Clerk’s office had found an ordinance that rezoned the property to R-3. In response to a question from Commissioner White, Mr. Akin replied that construction could be completed in 6 to 9 months for lot 1 regarding the apartments. Chairman Ott confirmed with City Engineer Whisker that any approval would need to be contingent upon the property being zoned R-3. 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MAY 11, 2015 7:00 P.M. – 7:21 P.M. City Engineer Whisker noted that the site plan for lot 1 is next on the agenda so it would need to be R-3 for the site plan to be approved. Discussion ensued as to the approval being contingent on the correct zoning, noting that the developer would need to return with a rezoning request otherwise. City Attorney Bamburg stated that the zoning needs to be specific per lot. City Engineer Whisker then related that lot 1 would be the apartment portion of the development and it is supposed to be zoned R-3. Discussion ensued and City Engineer Whisker clarified that lot 2 is zoned C-3. He then further clarified that no development has been proposed yet for lot 2. He stated that the developer is dividing a single piece of property to match the existing zonings. Commissioner Moore moved, seconded by Commissioner White to approve the site plan of Cornerstone Subdivision Lots 1 & 2, contingent upon zoning being C-3 for lot 2 and R-3 being lot 1. MOTION CARRIED. BUILDING PERMIT(S): SITE PLAN Cornerstone Subdivision Lot 1 Mr. Akin answered Commissioner White that the R-3 development would consist of 28 apartment units, 7 buildings with 4 units per building. City Engineer Whisker stated that the concept is to get prior approval before the property is purchased. He stated that he would need 2,000 square feet per unit with 28 units, which is 56,000 square feet so they are able to meet the requirements for the apartments. He stated that it would be four-plexes with two upstairs units. Chairman Ott confirmed with Mr. Akin that an area for dumpsters has not been designated yet. Mr. Akin then surmised that it would be near the drive coming into the complex. Discussion ensued regarding a green space area; Mr. Akin added that he did not feel that the existing trees would remain. Commissioner White moved, seconded by Commissioner Moore to approve the site plan of Cornerstone Subdivision Lot 1. MOTION CARRIED. GENERAL: REVIEW of ORDINANCE 1529 (#9-2015) AN ORDINANCE AMENDING JMC § 15.04 AND PROVIDING MODIFICATION OF THE FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION PROGRAM OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MAY 11, 2015 7:00 P.M. – 7:21 P.M. City Engineer Whisker stated that periodically FEMA redoes the flood plain maps in Jacksonville to help keep them current, a set was adopted in 1977, another set in 1985, next in 1995. He explained that they got behind in money and the next set was ready for 2007 but decided to decertify the levees after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. He stated that as a result this put a lot of land in Little Rock and North Little Rock inside the flood plain. He stated that the short explanation is that the Government and the cities got involved and the maps were released per County. He related that even though it did not affect Jacksonville, it keep Jacksonville without current maps for 8 more years. He stated that the proposed map is the same map of 2007, adding that the Ordinance is the tool to adopt that map. He stated that it is mandatory that the City use this map as of July 1, 2015 even if the Ordinance is not adopted. City Attorney Bamburg stated that the Code section already exists; this Ordinance will modify that section in order to adopt the current maps that are being issued as well as some changes in how the regulations are applied. He stated that given the time frame, there was time to bring the proposed Ordinance before the Planning Commission before being put before the City Council. City Engineer Whisker stated that the change with the new map is that it is taking about 50 properties out of the flood plain and putting 50 other properties into the flood plain. He stated that it is based on contours and the accuracy is correct. He then informed the Planning Commission that this would match Pulaski County’s flood plain freeboard ordinance, which means if you are going to build a structure in the flood plain, the requirement now would be 2’ above the flood plain instead of 1’. He stated that this is being done for two reasons, one to match Pulaski County as we try to move and grow into the area north of the Air Base and the other is to obtain the credit that goes toward a city’s CRS (Community Rating Service). He stated that the CRS rating will help homeowners with their flood plain insurance rates, noting that currently homeowners can get a 10% discount. He stated that Jacksonville is one in fifteen communities in the State that have an 8 rating, adding that most communities are higher than an 8 and there is only one 7 rating. He stated that other communities with a higher rating do not get the discount. He then answered Commissioner Moore that the 50 homes that were placed in the flood plain were located in various areas in Jacksonville, adding that the biggest adjustments were in Northlake. Discussion ensued regarding the flooding of the bridge going into Northlake. Commissioner Moore moved, seconded by Commissioner White to recommend adoption of Ordinance 1529 (#9-2015) to the City Council. MOTION CARRIED. 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MAY 11, 2015 7:00 P.M. – 7:21 P.M. ANNOUNCEMENT: ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Ott without objection, adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:21 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _________________________ Susan L. Davitt 4