23 MAR 13
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MARCH 13, 2023
6:30 P.M. – 7:18 P.M.
OPENING REMARKS:
The Planning Commission of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in a
regular session on March 13, 2023. Chairman Moore opened the meeting
at approximately 6:30 p.m. expressing appreciation to those in
attendance.
ROLL CALL: Commissioners Mike Dietz, William Montgomery, Billy Hall,
Vivian Brittenum, Dan Brown, Greg Bollen, and Chairman Jim Moore were
present and answered ROLL CALL. Chairman Moore declared a quorum.
PRESENT (7) with chair, ABSENT (2).
CORRECTION AND/OR APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Council Member Dietz moved,
seconded by Commissioner Brittenum to approve the minutes of February
13, 2023 as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
PUBLIC HEARING(S):
REQUEST TO APPROVE PLAT(S): a. PRELIMINARY PLAT H&S Estates
Aaron Robinson with Bond Engineering stated this was originally
brought to the Planning Commission last year as a one lot subdivision
for duplexes and triplexes, but the developer has now decided he wants
to do it in lots. He confirmed it will still be duplexes and
triplexes, similar to Greenhill Estates; that way individual owners
can buy a lot, build a duplex, invest in it, or sell it. He explained
by going this route they reduced the number of doors from the original
plan by eight or ten.
City Engineer Adam Whitlow noted the applicant is requesting a waiver
of the 25’ building line along Boomerang Street on Lots 25, 32, 33,
and 40. He confirmed Staff does not have any issues with this as long
as the plat states the direction of the lots face the other direction,
making it a dedicated side setback.
Mr. Robinson confirmed they have done it before with Jaxon Terrace,
where they put on the final plat that the houses have to face a
certain road and the driveways have to come to that road; that way
when they come into the City for their preliminary plot plans, they
have it on the plat which way the driveways have to face. He
understands it has to do with making sure you have enough cars off the
road so you are not blocking it.
Engineer Whitlow detailed additional contingencies as needing Water
approval, the owner/developer is responsible to provide plan for mail
delivery service since USPS requires cluster mailboxes for certain
densities, the City prefers Tract “A” to be maintained by an
established Property Owners Association (POA) due to development
consisting of duplex and triplex structures, the City would prefer not
to maintain the detention pond on Tract “A”, driveway permit required
by Arkansas Department of Transportation, Stormwater Pollution
Prevention Plan as required by Arkansas Department of Environmental
Quality (ADEQ), and concurrence from the Fire Marshall to allow a
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MARCH 13, 2023
6:30 P.M. – 7:18 P.M.
single access for more than 30 lots or 100 residential units. He
pointed out that a single entrance was allowed on the original
preliminary plat since the Fire Marshall asked for a wider entrance,
and they complied, so he surmises the same consideration would be
given to this updated plat.
When Chairman Moore inquired, Mr. Robinson replied that the Sewer
Commission met Friday, and as far as he knows, it got approved, but
has not received confirmation. He told how he is expecting marked up
plans from the Water Department on what he needs to fix and it will go
before the Water Commission in two weeks. When Commissioner Montgomery
inquired, he replied that there will be sidewalks and the
owner/developer is Mike Sullivan. When Commissioner Brittenum
mentioned the one entrance/exit, he responded it was approved last
time, detailing they went 36’ wide on the drive coming in, so he does
not see why it would be an issue. He mentioned Stanphil Road being at
the top of a hill and if they put another driveway closer to it, then
your sight distance is really reduced, making for a dangerous
intersection, therefore they put the driveway all of the way to the
West so you can see oncoming traffic. He confirmed a second road is
possible, but it becomes very dangerous. When Commissioner Brittenum
inquired about it being a gated community on the original plat, he
replied now that it is not a one lot subdivision, and since there can
be multiple owners, gating is not what the owner/developer is looking
at, at this time. He surmised if they do set up a POA, they may end up
gating it, but in doing a public street/right-of-way, they would want
the City to take care of the streets and utilities; like a regular
subdivision.
When Commissioner Brown brought up there being quite a bit of
contingencies, Engineer Whitlow clarified the true contingencies that
are yet to be resolved are the maintenance of the detention pond and
the concurrence with the Fire Marshall. He presumes they will be given
the same consideration as on the original plat, but have not gotten
the letter from the Fire Marshall yet. He noted the main difference
between the original version and this version is that the
infrastructure is now public and the lots can be sold fee simple. He
confirmed they can maintain ownership of it if they want, or they can
sell off an individual triplex.
Council Member Dietz related since they made it into lots, they can
sell individual duplexes, and if it was not done that way, they could
not finance with FHA or VA, adding that a veteran can own a duplex if
he lives in one side.
Engineer Whitlow confirmed this way the City accepts responsibility
for the infrastructure, but they still have to build it to City
standards, whereas before, the developer had more flexibility within
the private complex.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MARCH 13, 2023
6:30 P.M. – 7:18 P.M.
Council Member Dietz stated the City will now have some say on how
they do it, which makes a lot better sense than them doing their own
thing, because properties get run down fast if there is not someone
watching over them.
Mr. Robinson pointed out that the lots still have to meet minimum lot
width and depth. He explained when they had it as one lot, they were
able to place them a lot closer, so this gives it more separation and
regulation.
Engineer Whitlow mentioned they were technically approved for
construction with the original plat, but by changing it and doing it
this way, they have to put the infrastructure in first and then come
back for the individual building permits; making it a lengthier
process and giving the City more control. He noted that the owner also
gets more finance options doing it this way. When Chairman Moore
inquired, he confirmed that they recommend having a POA, but the City
does not have any legislation that requires it. He brought up there
being a gray area where a detention pond is required, surmising the
developer would like to hand maintenance off to the City, but his
Staff prefers it to stay in the hands of a POA. He recalled that
before, when it was a single complex, all of the ownership was common,
so there was not any question, but now they have to discuss it and
work out the logistics. He shared that the City does not necessarily
have an absolute requirement for stormwater detention, but if the
engineer says it needs it to minimize downstream impact, then the City
certainly wants it. He stated when they final plat it, they can make
sure the City has an easement over and across Tract “A” so if they do
have to end up with the maintenance on the pond, they can.
Council Member Dietz moved, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery to
approve the preliminary plat for H&S Estates as presented with
contingencies of statement on plat saying structures must be located
as close to interior side lot line as possible with driveway as far
from intersection as possible and no structures to face Boomerang
Street on Lots 25, 32, 33, and 40, Water approval, Sewer approval,
owner/developer to provide plan for mail delivery service, the City
prefers Tract “A” that contains detention pond to be maintained by an
established Property Owners Association (POA), driveway permit
required by Arkansas Department of Transportation, Stormwater
Pollution Prevention Plan as required by Arkansas Department of
Environmental Quality (ADEQ), and concurrence from the Fire Marshall
to allow a single access. MOTION CARRIED.
b. FINAL PLAT MW Commercial Sub.
Aaron Robinson with Bond Engineering recalled they brought forth the
preliminary plat on this last October, adding that it is located on
Redmond Road and General Samuels Road where they have torn down all of
the trees. He described how there are three lots, there is some sewer
that has to be put in, and how they have asked the Water Commission to
remove the water line easement that goes through one of the lots. He
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MARCH 13, 2023
6:30 P.M. – 7:18 P.M.
confirmed these are commercial lots, so as each one of them develop,
the infrastructure will be put in when the Planning Commission reviews
it at the site plan stage. He clarified that this is just creating the
three lots so they can sell them off for site plans.
City Engineer Adam Whitlow stated the majority of the infrastructure
is already there for these and accessed off of General Samuels Road
and Redmond Road. He brought up that one of the lots has access to
sewer, but has to be extended to serve another. He shared that they
plan on having storage units on the third lot and should not need
sewer for those. He assured they do not have a problem with
administrative approval of the final plat with the understanding that
there is a lot of infrastructure, such as ½ street improvements, that
will need to be evaluated at the site plan phase, depending on what
goes there. He explained these are very large lots that will probably
have their own internal water extensions, etc. so Staff is comfortable
deferring that evaluation to the site plan phase. Staff is okay with
the administrative approval of the final plat, but they are going to
hold it until the sewer extension gets done so they do not have a
bonding issue. He listed contingencies as: Staff supports deferment of
½ street improvements and sidewalks to site plan phase of each lot,
waterline easement is currently in the process of being abandoned by
City Council and must be complete prior to recording of final plat,
future utility needs to be determined at site plan phase for each lot,
and stormwater as-builts to be required prior to issuance of any
Certificate of Occupancies as each lot develops. When Chairman Moore
inquired, he confirmed that Staff would not be opposed to having the
access for Lot 1 coming from Redmond or General Samuels Road.
Council Member Dietz moved, seconded by Commissioner Bollen to approve
the final plat for WM Commercial Subdivision as presented with
contingencies as deferment of ½ street improvements and sidewalks to
site plan phase of each lot, waterline easement abandonment by City
Council must be complete prior to recording of final plat, future
utility needs to be determined at site plan phase for each lot, and
stormwater as-builts to be required prior to issuance of any
Certificate of Occupancies as each lot develops. MOTION CARRIED.
c. REPLAT Lot 1 & 2, Garry Estates, being a replat of part of Lots 55
& 56 Henry Estates
City Engineer Adam Whitlow stated this is a single tract split into
two lots. He explained that typically these are Staff-level items, but
they could not find any dedicated rights-of-way to Casey Street, so
since it has to have a formal dedication, it is going to go to City
Council for approval.
Commissioner Montgomery moved, seconded by Council Member Dietz to
approve the replat of Lot 1 & 2, Garry Estates, being a replat of part
of Lots 55 & 56 Henry Estates as requested. MOTION CARRIED.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MARCH 13, 2023
6:30 P.M. – 7:18 P.M.
BUILDING PERMIT(S): SITE PLAN New Murrell Taylor Elementary School
Aaron Robinson with Bond Engineering stated this is for a new Murrell
Taylor Elementary School to be located next to the current one. He
explained that once it is built, the existing school will be torn
down. He mentioned that the School District had to purchase this piece
of property located next to them so they would have enough room to
build it while keeping all the kids at the original Murrell Taylor. He
pointed out there is a dedicated bus lane and car lane, noting that
the playground area is in the back of the school. He brought up that
if you go to the new elementary school off of Madden Road, the
playground is in the front, which is why they leave the gates closed,
causing cars to stack up on Linda Lane. He confirmed they should not
have that problem here because there is no fencing in the front of the
building. He related that once the original school is demolished, they
are going to connect the bus lane that comes off of Loop Road to go
behind Murrell Taylor using an easement that was obtained by First
Electric. He believes they have addressed all of Staff’s concerns as
of right now, but the architect is meeting with the Fire Marshall
tomorrow.
City Engineer Adam Whitlow stated they did a pretty extensive review
of this after Baldwin & Shell submitted the full-level construction
set for a building permit. He confirmed they have addressed all of the
comments they can at this point, but listed contingencies as
stormwater as-builts required prior to issuance of CO, Stormwater
Pollution Prevention Plan as required by ADEQ, Water approvals, pre-
construction meeting conducted prior to issuance of final building
permit, and concurrence is required from Fire Marshall as pertaining
to access to rear of building. He confirmed even if there are
amendments to it, there can be minor ones done at Staff level, but all
of the big items that the Planning Commission considers have been
addressed. He mentioned another contingency is a conditional use
permit that will be addressed next month, noting they have allowed
them to start doing some minor clearing of trees and grading.
When Commissioner Hall inquired, it was confirmed the car entrance
will still be off of Murrell Taylor Drive and the buses will still
come off of Loop Road.
Mr. Robinson brought up a funding window where Baldwin & Shell have to
meet certain milestones of construction, so delaying it might cause a
potential issue with the State if it is not done and ready for the
children to use.
Engineer Whitlow suggested that the School Board check their
documentation to make sure they are comfortable with their legal
access of the roads used for ingress and egress. He confirmed if they
did not have rights, they do now, because of usage and time. He
recommended a true boundary survey, but assured it is not required.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MARCH 13, 2023
6:30 P.M. – 7:18 P.M.
Commissioner Montgomery moved, seconded by Commissioner Hall to
approve the site plan for the new Murrell Taylor Elementary School as
presented with contingencies of stormwater as-builts required prior to
issuance of Certificate of Occupancy, Stormwater Pollution Prevention
Plan as required by ADEQ, Water approvals, pre-construction meeting
conducted prior to issuance of final building permit, and concurrence
from Fire Marshall as pertaining to access to rear of building. MOTION
CARRIED.
GENERAL:
ANNOUNCEMENT(S):
ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Moore without objection, adjourned the meeting
at approximately 7:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________
Susan L. Davitt
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