25 SEP 8OPENING REMARKS: The Planning Commission of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in a regular session on September 8, 2025. Chairman Moore opened the meeting at approximately 6:35
p.m. expressing appreciation to those in attendance.
ROLL CALL: Commissioners Mike Dietz, 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 (9) with chair, ABSENT (0).
CORRECTION AND/OR APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Brittenum moved, seconded by Commissioner Bollen to approve the minutes of August 11, 2025 as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
PUBLIC HEARING(S): REZONING Meadows Creek Subdivision (38.06 acres, more or less, east of & adjacent to Forest Oaks Subdivision Phase 3 & south of General Samuels Road) from R-0 to R-1
Chairman Moore opened the public hearing at approximately 6:36 p.m.
City Engineer Adam Whitlow stated the Commission had looked at this previously as a Planned Unit Development (PUD) that included zoning and plat combined. He confirmed tonight, they
are reviewing the rezone first; there is a plat, but it will not be discussed if the rezone is not approved. He related that the developer redrew the plan to an R-1 zoning with no variances
or waivers being requested. He clarified the question is if it should go from a single-family R-0 with 70’ x 120’ lots to a single-family R-1 with 60’ x 100’ lots.
Commissioner Sansing brought up that this is mostly surrounded by R-0 zone. He noted when it is shown backing up to existing lots, there is a very large discrepancy between the R-0 and
R-1.
Commissioner Bollen agreed.
When Commissioner Priest inquired about traffic flow, Engineer Whitlow replied there has been no traffic study done, but General Samuels Road is a collector street, which is ideal for
subdivision exits.
Commissioner Bollen mentioned the school traffic backs up to this proposed entrance.
Commissioner Priest asked about potential flooding and drainage impacts to adjoining subdivisions.
Engineer Whitlow confirmed they have reviewed the plans, but that is relevant to the subdivision, not the rezone.
Representative Dustin Welch with Holloway Engineering stated this is the newest version of the previous PUD, but since then, they engaged the public with a town hall meeting to address
concerns. He explained that they removed it as a PUD, enlarged the lots to 60’ wide x 115’ deep, and the builder has conceded to 10’ side yard setbacks, even though R-1 allows a 5’
side yard setback.
Citizens Carolyn Smith (4302 Amy Lane), Sandra Stewart (221 Fair Oaks Drive), Paul Garrett (3714 Christy Lane), David Bryan (305 Forest Glen Cove), and Gary Fletcher (101 Fair Oaks Drive)
were opposed to the rezoning and shared concerns regarding the flooding, traffic, distance between houses, nearby property values being negatively affected, smaller house size, quality
from proposed builder, and potential for them to become rentals.
Mr. Welch brought up that there would only be one area that five lots back up to and there will be a tree buffer. He mentioned The Reserve at Maumelle was also built by D.R. Horton,
where Phase 1 was completed a year and a half ago.
Commissioner Bollen related that it is hard to tell the effect on property values in that short amount of time.
Mr. Welch replied that current data does not show a decline, noting there are custom built homes ranging from $700,000 to $1.6 million adjacent to the Maumelle development. He affirmed
even if it was R-0, no one can control whether they are rentals or not. When it comes to attracting businesses, he related that they look at gross household average income, traffic,
and density. He pointed out that if the city is not growing and has undeveloped land, you are not helping yourself. He stated that ten citizens who make a million dollars is not going
to bring in businesses, but having 50,000 who make $70,000 will. He confirmed they have taken into account all concerns and the developers have yielded to multiple concessions to try
to accommodate.
Commissioner Bollen suggested they build R-0 to match the surrounding.
Commissioner Brittenum mentioned a traffic study and 268 possible vehicles being added to General Samuels Road from this development.
Mr. Welch related they will have two-car garages, plus allow parking in driveways. He told how they spoke with Engineer Whitlow regarding the traffic concerns, but there have been no
reported complaints. He affirmed that anywhere you have a school, there will be traffic backups; if it were R-0 there would still be an increase in traffic. Regarding construction traffic,
he mentioned most trucks moving dirt will stay onsite and later would be some bringing in materials here and there. He reiterated that collector streets are designed for higher traffic
and if there was a large need for traffic concerns, there would be a traffic study, but it was not a pressing matter.
Commissioner Brittenum feels like it is a pressing matter and there needs to be a traffic study.
Council Member Dietz brought up protecting the subdivision and the area around it. He mentioned preserving the area because it is the City’s last area to develop.
Chairman Moore closed the public hearing at approximately 7:13 p.m.
Commissioner Montgomery moved, seconded by Commissioner Bollen to deny the rezoning of Meadows Creek Subdivision (38.06 acres, more or less, east of & adjacent to Forest Oaks Subdivision
Phase 3 & south of General Samuels Road) from R-0 to R-1. MOTION CARRIED with Commissioner Priest abstaining.
Engineer Whitlow related that since the rezoning was denied, they will not move forward with the plat since it is noncompliant. He noted the applicant has the option to redesign and
come before the Commission with a standard R-0 subdivision, which would not be a public hearing. He confirmed they do not consider house size or architectural features at the subdivision
review stage.
REQUEST TO APPROVE PLAT(S): PRELIMINARY PLAT Meadows Creek Subdivision
This item of business was not discussed since rezoning of property was denied.
BUILDING PERMIT(S):
GENERAL:
ANNOUNCEMENT(S):
ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Moore without objection, adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________
Susan L. Davitt