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22 NOV 14CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 2022 6:30 P.M. – 6:53 P.M. OPENING REMARKS: The Planning Commission of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in a regular session on November 14, 2022. Chairman Moore opened the meeting at approximately 6:30 p.m. expressing appreciation to those in attendance. ROLL CALL: Commissioners Mike Dietz, William Montgomery, Billy Hall, Tanner Ruple, Jeff Twitty, Dan Brown, and Chairman Jim Moore were present and answered ROLL CALL. Chairman Moore declared a quorum. PRESENT (7) with Chair, ABSENT (2). CORRECTION AND/OR APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Montgomery moved, seconded by Commissioner Twitty to approve the minutes of September 12, 2022 as presented. MOTION CARRIED. PUBLIC HEARING(S): a. REZONING 873 Jane Drive from R-1 to R-2 Chairman Moore opened the public hearing at approximately 6:32 p.m. City Engineer Adam Whitlow stated this is part of a land swap the City is doing with an individual where one of the conditions is to get it rezoned. He explained it is zoned R-1, but has always had an R-2 use. He referenced photos he provided, saying the first one is what was on that lot prior, which was a duplex. He noted the second one is as it currently sits, with that structure torn down. He pointed out that the other page shows surrounding properties that are all an R-2 use or multi-family, therefore, they request this property be zoned R-2. Chairman Moore shared that City Council approved a Resolution to send it to the Planning Commission for consideration. Chairman Moore closed the public hearing at approximately 6:39 p.m. Council Member Dietz moved, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery to approve the rezone of 873 Jane Drive from R-1 to R-2. MOTION CARRIED. b. CONDITIONAL USE 1106 W. Main St. wheel/tire shop in C-2 zone Chairman Moore opened the public hearing at approximately 6:40 p.m. Petitioner Chris Fowler, President of TFI LLC, explained that TFI is a management and real estate company that manages, owns, and operates the Local Tire stores. He shared pictures of a store they recently opened in Rogers, Arkansas to give the Commission an idea of the interior and exterior plans. He stated this proposed property is zoned C-2 Quiet Commercial, adding that he believes they would fit in that. He detailed that they have around fifty customers during the week while selling and leasing tires and wheels. He shared that they would be using the front three bays on the existing building that was originally designed to provide oil changes, but assured that they will not be doing oil changes. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 2022 6:30 P.M. – 6:53 P.M. Discussion ensued regarding ownership of the building with it being said that Goodyear had it originally, it was more recently owned by the Garza family, and now TFI owns it. Mr. Fowler clarified that TFI has this property under contract, but if they cannot use it for the Local Tire shop, it will become null and void. When Commissioner Ruple inquired, he replied that it would be similar to a Firestone, but not as much foot traffic. He explained that they lease more than they sell. He noted they have about fifty customers on a weekly basis and, out of that fifty, about forty will get tires. Commissioner Montgomery pointed out that the funeral home used to rent that building to keep their fleet. He asked where will they keep the tires, since there are only little offices. Mr. Fowler confirmed they have storage in the back, adding that they will also roll some tires out in front of the store to display. He assured if that were to offend the neighbors, he would not do it in this area and only have a display inside. When Commissioner Montgomery asked what they will do with the old tires, he responded that they would be stored in the large storage building until someone from Conway comes in, about once a month, to pick them up. He related that they would be stored inside, unless the Fire Marshall has a problem with it. He shared that Fire Marshalls usually want them outside, so they could build a nice, wooden fence corral in order to comply. He explained that they have two extra lots behind the property so he believes they can stay on the asphalt to place the corral, if they have to. Commissioner Twitty noted that this property is near the downtown area where no one would want it to look messy. Mr. Fowler assured that he does not want it to look messy either. City Engineer Adam Whitlow stated that the building itself is conducive to this type of use. He understands there is some history with this site, but being that it is a conditional use, the Commission has the authority to put conditions on it. He gave examples that if the Commission deems it necessary, they could forbid the expansion of pavement due to drainage concerns or if outside storage is needed, they could require an eight-foot, opaque fence, etc. He shared photos showing the front and back of the building, adding they have a back-up dock for storage that would presumably be big enough for new and used tire inventory. Council Member Dietz related that the area is prone to flooding the houses behind it, recalling it was an issue previously. He mentioned not extending the concrete, adding if the previous petitioner was going to do it, they would have been required to pay for the drainage, because right now it has a barrier, but it is not enough. He stressed CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 2022 6:30 P.M. – 6:53 P.M. that he would also not want tires piled up outside where everyone could see them, noting that the nearby church groups can be very vocal. He stated if the display looks good in the front, he does not see it as a big issue since they are put away at night. When Commissioner Montgomery inquired, Mr. Fowler replied that they will do alignments and tire balancing; no oil changes. He then answered Commissioner Ruple that there will be twelve employees initially and confirmed that they would park on the asphalt to the right, or in the back where the storage is. He assured that all parking will be on the asphalt, pointing out that a lot of their employees do not have their own vehicles; usually using public transportation, catch a ride, or get an Uber. He reiterated that it will look similar to the photos provided, detailing that they will paint the building black and blue and take off the awning. He shared that there will also be cosmetic changes done inside and assured there are no plans for the exterior that would affect drainage. Chairman Moore closed the public hearing at approximately 6:53 p.m. Commissioner Ruple moved, seconded by Commissioner Twitty to approve the conditional use for a wheel/tire shop at 1106 West Main Street with the conditions that there be a wooden trash corral for the used tires, all cars must be parked on pavement only, no changes will be made that will adversely affect the drainage of the property, and plans to be approved by the City Engineer. MOTION CARRIED. REQUEST TO APPROVE PLAT(S): BUILDING PERMIT(S): GENERAL: ANNOUNCEMENT(S): ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Moore without objection, adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:53 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _________________________ Susan L. Davitt