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19 FEB 28 Special CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2019 6:00 P.M. – 6:14 P.M. OPENING REMARKS: The Planning Commission of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in a special session on February 28, 2019. Chairman Moore opened the meeting at approximately 6:00 p.m. expressing appreciation to those in attendance. ROLL CALL: Commissioners Patrick Thomas, Trisa Dabbs, Barbra Mashburn, Vivian Brittenum, Jeff Twitty, Dan Brown, and Mark Stroud answered ROLL CALL. Chairman Jim Moore also answered roll call and declared a quorum. PRESENT (7), ABSENT (0) one position open. Others present for the meeting were Public Works Director Jim Oakley Pat Bond, Mary Twitty, Craig Friedman, Tommy Bond, and interested citizens, petitioners, and press. NOMINATION OF 2019 OFFICERS Councilman Mashburn moved, seconded by Commissioner Thomas to nominate Jim Moore to serve as Planning Commission Chairman for the year of 2019. MOTION CARRIED. Councilman Mashburn moved, seconded by Commissioner Twitty to nominate Vivian Brittenum to serve as Vice Planning Commission Chair and Chairman of the Board of Adjustment for the year of 2019. MOTION CARRIED. Commissioner Brown and Councilman Mashburn volunteered to serve on the Board of Adjustment for the year of 2019. CORRECTION AND/OR APPROVAL OF MINUTES: PUBLIC HEARING(S): REQUEST TO APPROVE PLAT(S): BUILDING PERMIT(S): SITE PLAN Meadowbrook Apartments 1301 South Hwy. 161 Chairman Moore recalled that the property at 1301 South Hwy. 161 was rezoned by the Planning Commission in December 2017 from C-3 & R-1 to R-3 for multifamily housing. Representative Tommy Bond for petitioner Mr. Steve Perry, related that the developer is proposing to construct 64 units in 4 buildings, plus a manager’s office. He surmised that the cost of the units would be approximately $600.00 to $800.00 monthly with a mix of 1 and 2 bedroom units. He stated that he believes the site plan complies in every way with City codes, adding that both the Water and Sewer Commissions have issued their approvals. He then noted that it has also received approval from the Health Department. He stated that the development is proposing 1.5 parking places per unit, he then added which is a few more parking places than City codes requires. He said that the Code requires 1 space per unit. He stated there would be a manager and a playground. 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2019 6:00 P.M. – 6:14 P.M. Commission Thomas stated that he wanted it on the record that the Commission should be concerned about future widening of Hwy. 161, saying that historically as we have built properties, there are some examples of properties that are sitting so close to the highways, the highway may have to bend in order to get five lanes. He noted that when First Street was expanded in the late 80’s or early 90’s, he was surprised they were able to get five lanes. He cautioned that as a Commission they should be looking closely at that issue, noting that 50 years from now we do not want to wish we had taken that into consideration and didn’t. Mr. Bond related that the apartments will have a 40’ setback, which is the requirement by ordinance. Commissioner Thomas questioned if that would be enough to widen the Hwy. so that there are two lanes on each side and a center turn lane. Mr. Bond responded that he believes it would be, adding that it did not think it would take up more than 10’ of the setback. He then stated that he believes currently there is a 60’ right-of-way. Chairman Moore related that there are some plans that the Engineering office has and it shows 60’, adding that when Mr. Bond and the owners develop the preliminary and final plat, the Commission will be able to make some designations on setbacks and other similar items at that time before they start building. He stated that this does not permit them to build, we are just setting up what the site is going to look like with the particular buildings and the way they are going to be arranged. He noted that there are some new people on the Planning Commission so he wanted to offer some insight. Mr. Bond stated that once this is approved then they will bring all the plans to Public Works Director Jim Oakley for a building permit. He then added that generally those plans will indicate what the ordinance requires. He continued saying that when it adjoins a different classification or lower classification, generally the 40’ is the setback for residential. He then added that the only residential in the vicinity is mobile homes. Chairman Moore concurred, noting that the mobile homes are to the back and side of this property. Mr. Bond questioned if the property has mobile homes on all three sides, and Public Works Director Jim Oakley clarified that there are mobile homes on two sides. Chairman Moore stated that on the side of Taylor Street there are some residents but he believes there use to be a garage on Taylor Street, adding that he is unaware of the current zoning classification. 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2019 6:00 P.M. – 6:14 P.M. Public Works Director Jim Oakley concurred, affirming that next to the Hwy. frontage there are some single-family housing on the south side. Mr. Bond stated that this development would be an upgrade to the area. Commissioner Brown confirmed with Mr. Bond regarding the room for future Hwy. expansion, and Mr. Bond responded that First Street could be five lanes. He then added that he does not believe that is a very popular design, referring to the middle lane as “suicide lane”. He reiterated that it might end up 10’ short of the 40’ that is the current setback. He added that he believes there is plenty of room, pointing out that on the other side of the Street there is nothing close to the Hwy. Councilman Mashburn questioned if the other details would be supplied when they come back to build the full phase and then everything could be figured into that. Mr. Bond stated that it would depend on the Highway Department and what their design is, adding that he doesn’t feel that we could second guess the Highway Department. He related that there is no way to tell when or if they will ever do it. Councilman Mashburn moved, seconded by Councilman Stroud to accept the site plan as presented. MOTION CARRIED. ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Moore without objection; adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:14 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _________________________ Susan L. Davitt 3