24 AUG 12
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
AUGUST 12, 2024
6:30 P.M. – 7:14 P.M.
OPENING 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.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
AUGUST 12, 2024
6:30 P.M. – 7:14 P.M.
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.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
AUGUST 12, 2024
6:30 P.M. – 7:14 P.M.
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
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
AUGUST 12, 2024
6:30 P.M. – 7:14 P.M.
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
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