17 AUG 14 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
AUGUST 14, 2017
7:09 P.M. – 7:25 P.M.
OPENING REMARKS:
The Planning Commission of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in regular session on August 14, 2017. Chairman Moore opened the meeting at approximately 7:00 p.m. expressing appreciation
to those in attendance.
ROLL CALL: Commissioners Patrick Thomas, Scott Scholl, Rick White, Robert Price, Virgil Healey answered ROLL CALL. Chairman Jim Moore also answered roll call and declared a quorum.
PRESENT (6), ABSENT (3).
Others present for the meeting were City Engineer Jay Whisker, Aaron Robinson, Geneva Healey, Greg Heslep, interested citizens, petitioners, and press.
CORRECTION AND/OR APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Commissioner White moved, seconded by Commissioner Price to approve the minutes of the July 10, 2017 regularly scheduled meeting as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
PUBLIC HEARING(S):
REQUEST TO APPROVE PLAT(S): FINAL PLAT Base Meadows PH V-A Lots 87-102
David Stanley of Lemons Engineering representing developer Greg Heslep who is also present, stated that everything is completed for the final plat, the Water and Sewer Departments have
As Builts, and there were no comments regarding any further issues.
City Engineer Whisker complimented the Subdivision saying this phase is ready to sell lots.
Commissioner Scholl moved, seconded by Commissioner White to approve the Final Plat of Base Meadows PH V-A, Lots 87-102 as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
BUILDING PERMIT(S): SITE PLAN Lighthouse Charter School 251 North First Street
Aaron Robinson of Bond Engineering presented the site plan, relating that it would be located behind the lower academy. He stated that part of the building would be in the flood plain
so it will be built up to the same elevation as the lower academy. He added that he had just received word that the Fire Marshal is requesting an asphalt drive, which will be accommodated.
He then related that there would be handicap parking on the north end of the building.
City Engineer Whisker clarified that the Fire Marshal wanted to make sure that there was a perimeter asphalt road around the building and that the existing perimeter road was asphalted
as a requirement regarding approval for a building permit.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
AUGUST 14, 2017
7:09 P.M. – 7:25 P.M.
Chairman Moore noted that the south and west end of the building appears as if it may sit on top of some utilities.
Mr. Robinson explained the when the modular buildings were moved on site there was a meter set with transformers, adding that the pole still remains but will be removed and relocated
back to the north where it comes around the School in order to power the new building. He related that the water meter is still there because they anticipated having this building
at some point in the future, explaining that when they built the upper academy the relocated some of the waterlines, noting that they also constructed a special fire waterline requested
by the Fire Marshal. He stated that there are some utilities there but nothing that would be underneath the proposed building. He then answered Chairman Moore that if there are any
utilities that get in the way they would be relocated. He then explained that the markings were done by a geo-tech engineer regarding boring locations for undercut estimates.
City Engineer Whisker offered that the area soil contains a lot of expansive clay, so they try to remove it and with the soil borings, they then do an engineering study to determine
how much fill is needed so the building does not shift. He noted other buildings in the area that have had structural problems because of the shifting soil.
Chairman Moore noted that the site plan shows approximately 37.5’ from the present building to the side of the proposed gymnasium, which puts it right at the edge of the present gravel
road. He then questioned if they were planning on constructing a walk cover over to the other building.
Mr. Robinson explained that the doorways have been aligned between the two buildings, saying that for now, they are only going to construct a sidewalk but the School may decide to add
some classrooms and connect the buildings. He clarified that there are no plans to construct a covered walkway at this time, adding that it would be a raised sidewalk that would function
as a speed bump as well.
Chairman Moore stated that if there were to be a canopy, it would have to be high enough for the new fire trucks.
Mr. Robinson reiterated that there are no present plans for a canopy, and then assuring Chairman Moore that the asphalt road has 7’ of shell beneath the gravel, which could easily support
the heavy Fire Department trucks.
In response to a question from Commissioner Thomas regarding the expected amount of water in the event of a 100-year flood, City Engineer Whisker answered that the difference between
flood plain and floodway is not necessarily a depth of what goes in. He stated that the floodway is a line that says if you raise the water level 1’ then
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
AUGUST 14, 2017
7:09 P.M. – 7:25 P.M.
it will be this much area out of the floodway, which ends up being the flood plain. He noted that it is an engineering calculation of 1’, adding that all the proposed buildings will
have to be at least 1’ above the base flood elevation.
Commissioner Thomas acknowledged the explanation, clarifying what is the depth of the surrounding area where the driveways are located, noting that a lot of this was done before he came
onto the Commission.
City Engineer Whisker said that he believes the lower academy is at least 1’ above and have obtain a LOMR.
Mr. Robinson clarified that there is a LOMR regarding the lower academy, recalling that the area by the railroad tracks is 272’ and on North First Street is 270’ regarding the base flood
elevation. He then explained that they are required to have the building a minimum of 1’ higher than the base flood elevation. He noted that they are currently at 275.5’, which is
roughly 3’ higher than the base flood elevation.
Chairman Moore noted that the plat depicts 274’ next to the east side of the building and it drops down to 272’.
City Engineer Whisker stated that typically they will fill the site 1’ above the flood elevation and then obtain a LOMR from FEMA, which takes the entire building out of the flood plain
so they do not have to pay flood insurance on that building.
In response to a question from Commissioner Thomas, City Engineer Whisker stated that typically the road would be filled with the same area the building will be located.
Commissioner White moved, seconded by Commissioner Healy to approve the site plan for Lighthouse Charter School Gymnasium at 251 North First Street with a new asphalt road completely
around the new Gymnasium as well as asphalting the existing gravel drive located behind the lower and higher academies. MOTION CARRIED.
GENERAL:
ANNOUNCEMENT:
ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Moore without objection; adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________
Susan L. Davitt