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23 DEC 11 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING DECEMBER 11, 2023 6:30 P.M. – 6:57 P.M. OPENING REMARKS: The Planning Commission of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in a regular session on December 11, 2023. Chairman Moore opened the meeting at approximately 6:30 p.m. expressing appreciation to those in attendance. ROLL CALL: Commissioners Mike Dietz, Billy Hall, Tanner Ruple, Vivian Brittenum, Jeff Twitty, 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: Commissioner Brittenum moved, seconded by Commissioner Twitty to approve the minutes of October 9, 2023 as presented. MOTION CARRIED. PUBLIC HEARING(S): REQUEST TO APPROVE PLAT(S): FINAL PLAT MLD Subdivision Lot 1 City Engineer Adam Whitlow stated Staff has no objections to approval. BUILDING PERMIT(S): a. SITE PLAN MLD Sub. Lot 1 7210 T.P. White Dr. Engineer Whitlow explained that the applicant plans to develop a site on the north end of town near the city limits. Petitioner Michael Hall related they have distribution rights for a luxury tiny home distributor, mentioning a part model version of a mobile home on an axle they tend to use as a display yard. Engineer Whitlow pointed out that they submitted a site plan with a gravel display lot and small paved parking. He told how they have addressed a majority of his Staff’s comments, but there are a few he would like to read. He mentioned it is understood the Arkansas Department of Transportation is not requiring any additional/updated information for use of the existing drive. He noted they are asking for clarification on the original plan which stated “existing concrete public access point to be refurbished and reused.” He understands the applicant spoke to a District 6 Permit Officer and were told the guidelines that if any improvements are to be made to the driveway, a permit would be necessary. He confirmed he is okay with that, as long as it is reflected on the plan. Mr. Hall understands no one steps on the highway right-of-way unless a permit is obtained and a deposit paid. He related they are allowed to clean it up, but if they have to resurface or take any of it out, they address it at the point when the permit is issued. Engineer Whitlow brought up needing to complete the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan requirement per Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality. He added they need to provide a culvert design for the driveway onto Carrington Road and that Staff has no objections to approval, with the satisfactory addressing of the mentioned items. 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING DECEMBER 11, 2023 6:30 P.M. – 6:57 P.M. Mr. Hall noted there will be 33-35 homes for display and they will leave a dedicated drive through so a firetruck would not have to turn around. He explained they have an arrangement with one distributor and are working on two others. He mentioned container homes and there being new ways to build smaller-type houses, so they are looking at new opportunities. He described how this first one is really nice, being higher-end, using granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, etc. He noted they will set some up across the front, put an ornamental fence to enclose the property, and have landscape lighting. He related they are under 500 square feet, surmising the average is 448 square feet and falls under certain regulations to be a tiny home. He told how they will use one of the models as the office and everything else will be for sale. He confirmed they will not have barbwire along the fence, but will do something nice across the front with chain-link possible across the back. Council Member Dietz moved, seconded by Commissioner Ruple to approve the final plat for MLD Subdivision Lot 1. MOTION CARRIED. Commissioner Bollen moved, seconded by Commissioner Ruple to approve the site plan for MLD Subdivision Lot 1 contingent on the Engineering Department approval. MOTION CARRIED. b. SITE PLAN 251 N. First St. Freight Farm Lab Initiative JLCS Engineer Whitlow stated this farm comes pre-packaged in a shipping container, explaining how they have struggled to find a place for this in the City’s standard code. He noted he would not classify it as an accessory or primary structure, and he knows it does not really meet the new commercial design standards, therefore, they brought it to the Commission. He confirmed Staff is certainly not opposed to it because it is a unique idea that goes along with the teaching element and sustainability practices the school is promoting, but it is simply a non-conforming structure, and as such, with approval of the Commission tonight they can continue to work with the school on the placement of site elements. He related they are not calling it vertical construction, which would warrant a full-blown site plan, but if they get the non-conforming status reconciled tonight, they are good to move forward. He clarified it will be a single, movable container, adding they would also like to do a farmer’s market to sell the produce grown. He assured he is happy with the concept they have provided and feels it will satisfactorily meet the intent of what they are trying to do, but it does sit in front of the school, so Staff felt it was warranted to bring to the Commission since they were unsure of how to classify this. Deputy Director of Innovation Wendell Scales and CEO/Superintendent LaShawnDa Noel of Arkansas Lighthouse Charter Schools, along with Construction Manager Shawn Carroll of East Harding Construction were present and introduced themselves to the Commission. 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING DECEMBER 11, 2023 6:30 P.M. – 6:57 P.M. Mr. Scales stated the farm is a shipping container focused on hydroponics and is an innovative solution to extend their AgSTEM focused program that serves as an extended modular lab. He noted it is movable, but they plan to anchor it in the front of the school on a slab. He sees this as a great opportunity for not only their scholars, but for our community as well. Mr. Carroll confirmed the container is 8 feet wide and 40 feet long. Mr. Scales mentioned that it will blend in with the school, but will have wrapping and look nice. Engineer Whitlow explained he requested some landscaping screening as part of the plan and their concept plan shows it. Mr. Scales clarified the wrap will create some high visibility because of where it will be placed on the highway and will probably include the school’s logo, along with some unique characteristics of the farm. He mentioned it having the germination process of specialty crops and it will sit adjacent between the elementary and high school where there is currently gravel. He brought up paving the gravel that was once a parking lot to set it. Mr. Carroll noted it will come fully assembled, so all they will do is pour a levelized pad for it to sit on. He stated they will be bringing in utilities since it has its own power and water sources to support the growth inside. He surmised it will be a very quick setup and that it will be ready for delivery within a few weeks. Mr. Scales brought up this being a food desert area, so supporting our community and scholars also provides opportunity to create their own food pantry, etc. to support the families they serve. He related freight farms can produce up to 4-6 tons of specialty crops. He told how they have introduced their first Ag teacher who will teach agribusiness systems and plant systems, so a lot of what they will be learning will be demonstrated through the classroom with the goal to start at a small phase. Commissioner Bollen moved, seconded by Commissioner Brittenum to approve the freight farm for 251 North First Street as a non-standard building contingent of site plan approval of the Engineering Department. MOTION CARRIED. GENERAL: ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Council Member Dietz mentioned the car lot the Commission approved for a conditional use on Main Street. He suggested going by there again because he believes if they are going to put chain link fencing up, it is probably not going to be in the City’s aesthetics to help Jacksonville and downtown revitalization. 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING DECEMBER 11, 2023 6:30 P.M. – 6:57 P.M. Engineer Whitlow stated the car dealership deal fell through, so the owner is back to a general rental since the conditional use permit granted is now null and void. He confirmed they would be allowed to use it per the current zoning, but for any specialty use, they would have to come back with site plan modifications or a conditional use. He detailed that if it is a use granted by right, the City does not have as much control over aesthetics, unless they are making substantial improvements where they can make them upgrade to current codes, landscaping, etc. Council Member Dietz acknowledged what the Commission approved before, but he would not be okay with approving it in the future. He believes they could put up a nice, small fence, but the way they have it makes downtown look less presentable. He recommended an ordinance to look into it. Engineer Whitlow mentioned an overlay district being an option. He shared one thing he would like to do next year is bring in a City Planning Consultant and have working sessions on cleaning up some current ordinances and address some progressive ideas. ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Moore without objection, adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:57 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _________________________ Susan L. Davitt 4