25 JUN 9OPENING REMARKS: The Planning Commission of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in a regular session on June 9, 2025. Chairman Moore opened the meeting at approximately 6:30 p.m.
expressing appreciation to those in attendance.
ROLL CALL: Commissioners William Montgomery, Terry Sansing, Nick Priest, Vivian Brittenum, Jim Oakley, Zeke Brown, Greg Bollen, and Chairman Jim Moore were present and answered ROLL
CALL. Chairman Moore declared a quorum. PRESENT (8) with chair, ABSENT (2).
CORRECTION AND/OR APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Brittenum moved, seconded by Commissioner Sansing to approve the minutes of May 12, 2025 as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
PUBLIC HEARING(S): REZONING Forest Oaks Subdivision PH IV (38.04 acres ± east of & adjacent to Forest Oaks Subdivision PH 3 & south of General Samuels Road) from R-0 to Planned Unit
Development
Chairman Moore opened the public hearing at approximately 6:33 p.m.
Representative Dustin Welch with Holloway Engineering stated this development will be 172 residential lots with single-family detached homes ranging from 1400-2100 square feet with masonry
sides. He explained that the planned builder is D.R. Horton, who is the largest homebuilder in the U.S. He detailed regarding setbacks, the front will be 25’, rear 15’, corner lots’
side will be 25’, and all interior will be 5’. He confirmed there will be fencing behind and there will be about five phases total. He noted they have satisfied the 20% greenspace requirement,
which they used to accomplish grading and drainage, while still making it a reasonable development. He mentioned the lots are approximately 50’ x 120’, with the smallest being 50’ x
110’, equaling a 5500 square feet lot. He clarified that there will be 10’ between houses, other than corner lots that will have a 25’ side yard setback.
City Engineer Adam Whitlow pointed out that the 5’ side setback conforms to code, but the current R-0 zoning would require 70’ x 120’ lots. He confirmed every neighborhood around this
property is R-0.
Mr. Welch stated these types of developments are all over Central Arkansas, but the one he likes to point out is The Reserve in Maumelle where homes are similar in size and usually sell
starting at $310,000.00. He explained they are beneficial to the City since these are smaller, skinnier lots and less to maintain.
Commissioner Sansing mentioned they are planning on putting this next to very large lots with very nice homes, causing those current homes to have two or three back neighbors. He affirmed
this does not fit into the Forest Oaks Subdivision.
Chairman Moore questioned why this development was named as a phase of Forest Oaks and if there are plans to tie onto the current street there.
Mr. Welch replied that the original layout was tying into the current street where Forest Oaks terminates at, but they decided to put a Knox Box at a gate there for emergency responder
access, only and a turnaround. He explained the striping and signage plan will be provided, but they are coordinating with the City on some requirements they have yet to fulfill. He
related they wanted to get through this step before putting a lot of energy into it, but will work through the City’s requirements and comments to satisfy whatever they need to address.
Chairman Moore inquired about missing information, including sidewalk plans and drainage report.
Mr. Welch pointed out that the sidewalk information is on the full plans provided to the City. He mentioned no construction can begin until they have satisfied all requirements and be
issued a building permit. He noted a typical drainage report takes an engineer three weeks, and at this level of review, it is tough for a development to commit the costs when it could
be denied.
A brief discussion ensued regarding the requirement and location of mailbox clusters and the representative’s response email to the Staff comment letter.
Chairman Moore closed the public hearing at approximately 6:54 p.m.
Commissioner Bollen moved, seconded by Commissioner Sansing to deny the rezoning of Forest Oaks Subdivision PH IV (38.04 acres ± east of & adjacent to Forest Oaks Subdivision PH 3 &
south of General Samuels Road) from R-0 to Planned Unit Development. MOTION CARRIED.
REQUEST TO APPROVE PLAT(S): PRELIMINARY PLAT Forest Oaks Sub. PH IV
This item was combined and discussed with the above rezoning.
BUILDING PERMIT(S):
GENERAL:
ANNOUNCEMENT(S):
ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Moore without objection, adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________
Susan L. Davitt