24 FEB 12CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
FEBRUARY 12, 2024
6:30 P.M. – 7:42 P.M.
OPENING REMARKS:
The Planning Commission of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in a regular session on February 12, 2024. Chairman Moore opened the meeting at approximately 6:30 p.m. expressing appreciation
to those in attendance.
ROLL CALL: Commissioners Mike Dietz, Billy Hall, Jim Oakley, Zeke Brown, Greg Bollen, and Chairman Jim Moore were present and answered ROLL CALL. Chairman Moore declared a quorum. PRESENT
(6) with chair, ABSENT (3).
CORRECTION AND/OR APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Bollen moved, seconded by Council Member Dietz to approve the minutes of January 8, 2024 as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
PUBLIC HEARING(S):
REQUEST TO APPROVE PLAT(S): a. REPLAT Lot 5 Kevin Subdivision
800 Jane Drive
City Engineer Adam Whitlow stated the applicant is requesting a replat of Lot 5 of Kevin Subdivision into Lots 5R and 5R1. He explained that along with the replat, they are requesting
a variance on the minimum lot width. He detailed how they are taking a large lot that had an unusual portion, due to an overhead powerline, and relocating it to create two usable lots
that would require the variance of having a 55 feet lot width instead of the 60 feet our Code says. He requested, if approved, it be contingent upon following the abandonment procedures
of the easement. He told how he spoke with the representing attorney and he has got with the City on a tentative petition to vacate the easement City Council would have to adopt once
the overhead powerline is moved. He confirmed that Staff has no objections to this proposal.
Nick Tucker with Tucker Land Surveying related that the client owns a large lot that is 30-40% wider than the others in the neighborhood. He explained there is an existing duplex on
the northside and the client wishes to develop the south half with a duplex of the same footprint meeting all setback requirements. He confirmed they are asking for a variance on the
lot width since they are splitting the 110 feet down the middle to 55 feet each. He stated that the existing 10 foot utility easement runs at an angle across the south portion, but
Entergy has agreed to move the pole at the owner’s expense, so the plat shows a vacation and a proposed 10 foot utility easement to follow the new proposed powerline. He reiterated
that the attorney has prepared a statement for the petition of the vacation and submitted it to the City. He noted the telephone lines will be relocated as well.
City Engineer Whitlow related the petition to vacate does have a concurrent clause in it where utilities will be asked to concur to ensure they are no longer using the easement. He mentioned,
to their knowledge, the overhead lines are the only ones using it right now.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
FEBRUARY 12, 2024
6:30 P.M. – 7:42 P.M.
Council Member Dietz moved, seconded by Commissioner Hall to approve the replat of Lot 5 Kevin Subdivision as presented with 55 feet lot widths, contingent upon following the abandonment
procedures of the easement. MOTION CARRIED.
b. FINAL PLAT New Fire Station #2
City Engineer Whitlow stated this is a roughly 4.5 acre tract near the intersection of Graham Road and Northeastern Avenue, east of the nursing home facility. He explained that the plat
is a one lot final plat since it is under 5 acres. He detailed that there is a proposed right-of-way based on the Graham Road project that ARDOT did a few years ago. He confirmed there
will not be an access off of Northeastern Avenue, noting that the site plan represents about 1.8 acres of improvements in the southwest corner, because that is the highest spot. He
mentioned the middle line on the plat represents a ditch that will stay and all improvements will be south and west of it.
Council Member Dietz moved, seconded by Commissioner Bollen to approve the final plat for the new Fire Station #2 as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
BUILDING PERMIT(S): SITE PLAN New Fire Station #2
City Engineer Whitlow related that the fire apparatus will come into an entrance to the west, enter one of the three overhead door bays, and be aimed toward Graham Road for when they
get a callout. He brought up that the east asphalt entrance will be the public/staff access toward the back. He noted the backside staff area will be a gated and enclosed. He told how
Chad Young with WDD Architects was hired to do the design and has been very involved with the City, so this has been a culmination of several months’ worth of work.
Council Member Dietz moved, seconded by Commissioner Oakley to approve the site plan for the new Fire Station #2 as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
GENERAL:
ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Board of Adjustment Item of Business Update
City Engineer Whitlow gave an update regarding two RVs at 220 South First Street/110 Division Street that the Board of Adjustment approved for 90-days at the November 2023 meeting. He
explained the petitioners came in and made a request for next month’s meeting, noting that the ownership issue is not resolved yet, but it is in probate and the estate has an appointed
attorney. He related that he has given them a punch list of what information he would like for them to present to the Board to support the request, one of which is a concurrence letter
with the appointee of the State since they are possibly the only person legally capable right now of presenting a request.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
FEBRUARY 12, 2024
6:30 P.M. – 7:42 P.M.
City Engineer Whitlow and Council Member Dietz then gave a summary of what was discussed at the November meeting regarding this item of business and what advice Engineer Whitlow provided
to the petitioners.
Car Lot on Main Street
Council Member Dietz recalled a car lot the Commission approved on a conditional use that did not end up opening. He suggested they review the fence the owner posted around it. He does
not think the City needs an 8 foot fully enclosed fenced building on Main Street, noting that the tires they were going to remove are still there as well.
Tiny Homes
Council Member Dietz brought up allowing permanent tiny homes for home ownership in the Sunnyside Subdivision. He related that they allow it in Fayetteville, Rogers, and Russellville
in a lot of areas where there is not affordable housing.
Former Commissioner Concerns
Former Commissioner Dan Brown shared his concerns for the lack of growth in the City, mentioning vacant commercial buildings, economic development, and Code Enforcement.
ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Moore without objection, adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________
Susan L. Davitt