24 AUG 12OPENING REMARKS:
The Planning Commission of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in a regular session on August 12, 2024. Chairman Moore opened the meeting at approximately 6:30 p.m. expressing appreciation
to those in attendance.
ROLL CALL: Commissioners Mike Dietz, William Montgomery, Tanner Ruple, Jim Oakley, Jeff Twitty, Zeke Brown, Greg Bollen, and Chairman Jim Moore were present and answered ROLL CALL. Chairman
Moore declared a quorum. PRESENT (8) with chair, ABSENT (1).
CORRECTION AND/OR APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Twitty moved, seconded by Commissioner Oakley to approve the minutes of July 8, 2024 as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
PUBLIC HEARING(S): a. REZONING 3022 South Highway 161 from R-0 to R-6
The public hearing opened at approximately 6:32 p.m.
Petitioner Rose Ramirez requested a rezone for a mobile home, due to the cost. She believes the lot previously had two homes on it at one time. She is in the process of purchasing a
mobile home, but cannot until a rezone is approved. She shared that her husband had passed away in January and is buried at Arkansas Memorial, so she would like to relocate from San
Antonio to be close. When asked, she replied she had already bought this land, so a mobile home would be affordable. She had looked at houses and other land, but they were more expensive.
She brought up that she was approved for a mobile home if she goes this route. She detailed that the home would be like the ones being sold near the freeway in Benton.
Commissioner Twitty pointed out the surrounding area is more site built residential homes.
Ms. Ramirez concurred, but believes the street to the right could use more life and her family is looking for something long-term.
Commissioner Twitty showed concerns with putting a mobile home near site built residential homes. He related she is asking for a big jump from R-0 to R-6.
Ms. Ramirez noted a block or two up, going toward Arkansas Memorial, there is nothing but mobile homes and they are in way worse condition.
Chairman Moore stated they cannot change the designated housing to allow one manufactured home to come in, because that is an all residential district, R-0 and R-1, that requires site
built homes with foundations.
Commissioner Twitty explained it could set a precedent.
City Clerk Davitt mentioned receiving a letter of opposition, along with citizens present who are opposed and available to speak.
Ms. Ramirez brought up that she can put a slab down to be permanent.
City Clerk Davitt confirmed the zoning still has to change to R-6.
Ms. Ramirez noted her manufactured home was going to be very nice, adding the house next door is really bad, but she still wants to go and do what she can for the land.
The public hearing closed at approximately 6:41 p.m.
Commissioner Montgomery moved, seconded by Commissioner Twitty to deny the rezoning of 3022 South Highway 161. MOTION CARRIED.
b. REZONING Highway 161 (located on the NW side of AR Hwy. 161, 140’± SW of its intersection w/Homer Adkins Dr.) from R-0 to C-2
The public hearing opened at approximately 6:43 p.m.
Representative Ahab Arthur El Hajari Al Hagari requested to rezone from residential to commercial for a small convenience store with a deli, not a gas station. He confirmed nothing is
built there, so it will be new construction.
Chairman Moore explained this area is approximately three tenths of a mile from Homer Adkins Pre-K Center.
When asked about alcoholic beverages or loud music, Mr. El Hajari Al Hagari replied there will not be any of that, but will be a family business. He believes there are no plans for outdoor
buildings or freezers. He detailed the parking lot will be up front and a drive thru entrance on the right.
City Engineer Adam Whitlow noted the site plan is not up for consideration tonight; just the rezone is.
Discussion ensued regarding the limited space for the drive thru.
Mr. El Hajari Al Hagari mentioned the drive thru is just a plan or suggestion.
John Pate of 3225 Homer Adkins Drive stated this will affect his property more than the neighbor next to him, who said he would move if they put a store there. He told how his deck is
approximately 2’ from the property line. He asked if the petitioner would be required to put up a privacy fence or if the Commission has taken into account the traffic issues. He was
opposed to having a store directly behind his house, mentioning crime in the area around the commercial properties.
Commissioner Bollen noted going from R-0 to C-2 is a big jump.
David Cook of 3223 Homer Adkins Drive was opposed to this request. He told how they already get a lot of litter from the nearby businesses and does not want a business abutting his back
yard increasing foot and vehicle traffic. He would like to keep it residential.
Elanore Davis of 3224 Homer Adkins Drive bought her house 24 years ago across the street from Mr. Pate. She recalled she and her neighbors calling the police multiple times regarding
a female urinating in front yards, who also uses her water hose to clean herself. She mentioned that is what they get with having liquor stores nearby, then asked what are they going
to get when they put a deli.
Stacy Cook of 3223 Homer Adkins Drive has lived in her house approximately 28 years. She told how people cut through theirs and Mr. Pate’s lots to go to the liquor stores, and it will
only increase if you put a business in their side yard. She would not feel safe with a property that close to her home and asked the Commission to deny the rezone.
The public hearing closed at approximately 6:57 p.m.
Commissioner Montgomery moved, seconded by Commissioner Ruple to deny the rezoning of the lot on Highway 161 (located on the NW side of Arkansas Highway 161, 140’± SW of its intersection
w/Homer Adkins Dr.). MOTION CARRIED.
c. CONDITIONAL USE Eagle Suites-Crestview 300 Crestview Drive long-term stay hotel in C-3 zone
The public hearing opened at approximately 6:59 p.m.
Petitioner Bill Hope, owner of Titan General Contractors, stated he owns two extended stay hotels here. He explained all units have a kitchen and full-size refrigerator, with some even
having a small side bedroom. He would like to comply since he was told they need a conditional use permit. He recalled the location on Shamrock Court has been an extended stay hotel
for 30 years and they are doing better than the previous owners. He related that they own a lot of rental properties that require a minimum of $2000.00 to move in, along with credit
and background checks, but if there is anything negative found, they do not get to rent. He detailed there are a lot of people who do not have $2,000.00 to find a safe, clean place
to live for 6 months to a year, with 6 months being their average stay. He stated 60-65% of guests who stay there are on social security and get one bill that pays all utilities, HBO,
and Wi-Fi. He told how it is $1,100.00-$1,200.00 a month, depending on the unit. He explained the other percentage of guests are people who are working local service jobs trying to
get on their feet. He confirmed they do not put up with any criminal activity, since being a hotel, the guests do not have a right
of tenancy, therefore, they can just ask them to leave or call the police to assist. He related that these hotels average three people a month to move out; the occupancy is very stable.
He confirmed he will abide by any rules and they already do most of the things in the new ordinance.
Chairman Moore told how he has checked with the Health Department and they are an approved extended-stay facility categorized as a D-2.
Mr. Hope noted they are only rented by the week or month. When he was asked about drug issues, he replied that they have cameras everywhere and their on-site managers know what to look
for.
City Attorney Friedman clarified that the ordinance passed by City Council requires certain things for hotels/motels to do upon guest check-in, but it also prohibited long term stays.
The public hearing closed at approximately 7:08 p.m.
Council Member Dietz moved, seconded by Commissioner Bollen to approve a conditional use for Eagle Suites-Crestview and Eagle Suites-Shamrock as a long term stay hotel in a C-2 zone.
City Engineer Adam Whitlow noted all hotels are short term unless they get a conditional use for extended stays. He then listed a few requirements the ordinance contains.
Mr. Hope added that the ordinance states a conditional use is required for stays over 30 days.
MOTION CARRIED at this time.
d. CONDITIONAL USE Eagle Suites-Shamrock 9 Shamrock Court, 920 Highway 161 South long-term stay hotel in C-3 zone
Item d. was combined with item c. during discussion.
REQUEST TO APPROVE PLAT(S):
BUILDING PERMIT(S):
GENERAL:
ANNOUNCEMENT(S):
ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Moore without objection, adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:14 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________
Susan L. Davitt