25 MAY 12OPENING REMARKS: The Planning Commission of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in a regular session on May 12, 2025. Chairman Moore opened the meeting at approximately 6:35 p.m.
expressing appreciation to those in attendance.
ROLL CALL: Commissioners Mike Dietz, Terry Sansing, Nick Priest, Vivian Brittenum, Jim Oakley, 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 Sansing moved, seconded by Commissioner Priest to approve the minutes of April 14, 2025 as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
PUBLIC HEARING(S): a. REZONING 624 South Spring Street from R-1 to R-3
Chairman Moore opened the public hearing at approximately 6:37 p.m.
Petitioner Donna Jean Cook, President of Reco Holdings Inc., stated a tornado caused the house to be removed from the 3.1 acres that is surrounded by multi-family. She has been trying
to sell this property since the school nearby was removed last fall, but the buyers interested do not want to build a single-family house.
City Engineer Adam Whitlow confirmed the property is surrounded by R-3 zone, it conforms to the Land Use Plan, and Staff supports approval.
Chairman Moore closed the public hearing at approximately 6:39 p.m.
Commissioner Oakley moved, seconded by Commissioner Priest to approve the rezoning of 624 South Spring Street from R-1 to R-3. MOTION CARRIED.
b. CONDITIONAL USE Residential Care Facility in R-2 zone 210/212 West Hickory Street
Chairman Moore opened the public hearing at approximately 6:40 p.m.
Petitioner Nancy Sims, co-owner of Beautiful Beginnings Inc., stated they would like to open a transitional house for women. She explained they want to give them an opportunity to thrive
in their recovery and provide a safe environment. She confirmed there are no treatment facilities or meetings in Jacksonville, except for Alcoholics Anonymous. She recalled having locations
for Celebrate Recovery programs that were shut down, so there are no current recovery resources. She detailed that this will be their home and they will be taken to meetings, while
also having someone come to the home to have meetings. She added that they will learn life skills and how to live sober. When Commissioner Sansing inquired, she replied that they have
their 501c3 designation with the State of Arkansas and would not have a problem getting required licenses. When Commissioner Priest asked if they had a license with the Office of Alcohol
and Drug Abuse Prevention, she mentioned her co-owner, Patti Yager, is certified.
Petitioner Patti Yager, co-owner of Beautiful Beginnings Inc., confirmed she is a certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor, an Advanced Peer Support Specialist, and she works at Immerse
Arkansas as a Life Coach. She affirmed if the women relapse, they would have to move out.
Ms. Sims added that there will be a “house mom” on site, they will do random weekly drug screens, and the women will have a curfew.
Chairman Moore recalled there being a requirement from the State Health Department. He requested clarification regarding the therapy provided.
Ms. Yager explained the women would put in an application to be approved and if they have a major mental health diagnoses, they would not be able to accept them. She clarified this would
be a transitional home with strict rules and if drugs were ever found, the woman responsible will be discharged and have law enforcement called on them. She related that they do not
have to have a State inspection done, noting this is not claimed on insurance, but the applicants will be paying rent to have a safe and stable home.
Ms. Sims further clarified this is to get the women back on their feet so they can learn to be productive members of society again once they are clean and out of treatment.
Ms. Yager told how she lived in addiction for 23 years and has been sober for 15. She had to relearn how to live and restart her life, and that is what they want to offer these women.
The owner of the property, Jarred Johns, was present and supported the request.
Ms. Yager surmised there would be two women per bedroom, noting there are six rooms total.
Commissioner Brittenum shared a concern with having a transitional home in the middle of a residential neighborhood.
Ms. Yager confirmed there will not be a sign on the premises and the “house mom” they choose will have at least one year of sobriety.
Ms. Sims related their current candidate is 13 years sober, has been a “house mom” before, and they will be checking on her and the house daily.
City Engineer Adam Whitlow stated Staff recommends the following be placed on record as part of the Conditional Use:
Primary function of the Residential Care Facility (as described in pamphlet provided with application)
Will group therapy be provided on-site? (Yes-per their application)
Will medical services be provided on-site? (No-per their application)
Will meals be provided? (No, residents to cook for themselves-per their application)
Number of bedrooms at facility & the maximum individuals allowed per bedroom (two, 3-bedroom units will be utilized per the application. Maximum number of occupants per bedroom was unclear
on application)
Maximum number of caregivers/employees & maximum number working concurrently (4 employees per the application, number of concurrent workers not provided)
Will any caregiver live or stay overnight on-site? If not, provide emergency contact info?
Will residents be allowed to have vehicles? If so, how many are possible? (Limit of 2 vehicles per unit was stated on their application)
Commissioner Sansing moved to approve the conditional use of a Residential Care Facility in an R-2 zone at 210/212 West Hickory Street with conditions as follows:
The primary function of the Residential Care Facility will be to provide a safe & nurturing living environment to women recovering from addiction.
On-site activities beyond normal living functions may include individual or group therapy, periodic drug testing for occupants, and occasional transportation assistance.
Meal preparation will not be provided as a service of the facility, but residents shall have the normal use of the kitchen.
The total number of bedrooms at the approved facility is 6. One bedroom will be occupied by the house “Mother”. The other 5 bedrooms were granted a maximum occupancy of 3 women per bedroom
totaling 15 occupants in addition to the house mother. This occupancy is subject to review by the building official and fire marshal against all applicable standards.
Maximum number of caregivers/employees was stated to be 4 with no more than two outside employees working concurrently at the residence.
The facility will be allowed to have a total of 6 vehicles (3 per driveway) at the facility.
In cases of a relapse by a resident or if a resident becomes a danger to the peaceful living condition of the other residents or surrounding community, that resident shall be discharged
from the facility.
Council Member Dr. Trenika McCoy noted the area of this property is heavily trafficked with drug addicts already. She cautioned and recommended the petitioners do more research. She
respected the cause, but noted the location chosen will be paramount to their success. She stated she did not see the sign at this property when she walked by today and recommended
this decision not be a speedy one. She reiterated her concern for that location since it is residential, while also being close to a school.
Chairman Moore closed the public hearing at approximately 7:10 p.m.
Commissioner Oakley seconded the motion on the floor at this time. MOTION CARRIED with Commissioner Brittenum voting NAY and Commissioner Priest ABSTAINING.
Commissioner Priest recalled seeing that any treatment facility has to be approved through the State.
Ms. Yager clarified they are not a treatment center and are not State-funded.
Ms. Sims added that she has been walked through the City process by City Attorney Friedman.
Engineer Whitlow concurred, stating he is comfortable with the request since everything researched says this is a legal residential activity. He mentioned protected classes and the Fair
Housing Act.
Commissioner Brittenum brought up a possible condition regarding police calls.
Commissioner Brittenum moved, seconded by Commissioner Oakley that the following amendment be added to the previous stated conditions:
In the event that police are called to the facility 3 or more times within a 30 day period as a result of a disturbance by the residents, the Planning Commission will have the authority
to re-evaluate the conditions for the facility as stated above to ensure the continued peacefulness and residential nature of the surrounding community.
MOTION CARRIED with Commissioner Priest ABSTAINING.
REQUEST TO APPROVE PLAT(S):
BUILDING PERMIT(S):
GENERAL: Review of proposed Fencing Ordinance
Engineer Whitlow told how the City Council has been exploring some updates to the City’s fencing regulations and passed out a draft of information that will be in the ordinance. He mentioned
establishing a permit requirement and renaming Jacksonville Municipal Code Chapter 8.05 to be the Residential Fencing Regulation. He detailed how they set up a fairly simple permitting
process that includes a $10.00 permit fee. He confirmed the applicant would have to provide a plan showing the location, height, and materials of the fence. He brought up that any special
circumstances would go before the Board of Adjustment. He summarized that the maximum height for residential areas would be six feet if placed to the front face of the building line,
but any front yard would be limited to a four feet see-through fence. He noted requirements regarding fence and gate placement and then welcomed feedback and opinions from the Commissioners.
A brief discussion ensued regarding fenced front yards and permit requirements for repairs.
ANNOUNCEMENT(S):
ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Moore without objection, adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________
Susan L. Davitt