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Metropolitan Area Planning Commission Minutes
April 9, 1959
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The City Planning Commission of Jonesboro, Arkansas, met in regular session on April 9, 1959, at 7:30 P.M. at the City Hall, Jonesboro, Arkansas.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Planning Commissioners Minor Markle (presided), Charles Frierson (acted as secretary), Dean Ellis, Al Hendrix, Mrs. Clifford Hill, and Elmer A. Stuck.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Planning Commissioners Lloyd Rebsamen, Neal B. Thayer and Caleb Watson.
The following matters were considered:
Lots 1, 2, and 3 of Block B of McCarty Addition to Jonesboro, Arkansas, located on Franklin Street and subject of an action of the City Planning Commission on March 12, 1959, when permission was granted to extend the business use of these lots by constructing a brick building behind the Tasty Freeze Drive-in on Nettleton Avenue was given at the request of Knight Laird, was discussed by representatives of seven owners of houses in the McCarty Addition. They generally stated that they did not want to prejudice the builder of this building, but wanted to be assured that no additional extension of business buildings or business use of premises would be permitted. Dean Ellis, of the planning commission, objected strenuously to the action of March 12, 1959, pointing out that the area was properly destined to be a good residential district any extension of business use was not in the public interest.
Motion was made by Elmer Stuck, seconded by Mrs. Hill, to rescind action of March 12, 1959, wherein a commercial building was permitted on parts of Lots 2 and 3 of Block B of McCarty’s Addition. Upon a vote, the following voted “YEA”, Elmer Stuck and Dean Ellis. The following voted “NO”, Charles Frierson, Al Hendrix, and Mrs. Hill. The motion was declared lost.
Motion was made by Al Hendrix, seconded by Charles Frierson, and carried unanimously, tha the Planning Commission adopt and declare a policy that no geographical extension of businesses in the area of McCarty Addition be permitted at any time in the future, this to specifically include additional area used for prior junkyards, but not limited to such purpose, and to apply to any proposed business extension of territory.
Lots 3 in Ridgecrest Addition was discussed by owner, John Busby, and his attorney, Douglas Bradley. The action of the Planning Commission on March 12, 1959, was discussed, and applicants and their engineer, Fred Haywood, conferred with the Planning Commission concerning the requirements made by the Planning Commission on that date. It was pointed out that the area concerned was protected at right of way in the Master Street Plan, but that, after long consideration the plan had been amended in certain respects and that such previous amendments made it proper to amend the Master Street Plan to delete the street along the north side of Lot 3 in Ridgecrest Addition.
Motion was made and unanimously adopted that the Planning Commission transmit to the City Council the findings, information and recommendation that the protected right of way shown in the Master Street Plan along the north side of Lot 3 in Ridgecrest Addition had been deleted by amendment to the Master Street Plan because the same is not considered to be any longer required in the public interest, and that closing of such street be recommended to the City Council, provided (a.) the owner execute a dedication of right of way for a turning radius on the south side of said lot, which would permit the traffic to flow from Ridgecrest Addition to Culberhouse, and (b.) execute, record, and deliver a perpetual easement for utility lines, and that the owner, John Busby, had complied with these requirements. According to the information and judgment of the Planning Commission, the closing of this platted but unopened street would not, now that the requirements have been met, adversely affect the public interest.
Douglas Bradley, owner, Fred Haywood, Engineer, and John Kee, adjoining landowner discussed in great detail with the Planning Commission the requirements concerning Highway 141 Subdivision to Jonesboro. The question revolved around the width of Main Street, which lies at the west side of the Subdivision. After a full consideration of the existence of only 40 foot right of way on Main Street to the north and south of the Subdivision, a full 50 feet for the first 150 feet south of Cartwright and French Addition, 60 feet for the next approximately 150 feet and 70 feet for the remainder of Main Street bordering said Subdivision and the additional parking, a 70 foot right of way would afford a church to be located on Block D, the plat was approved as amended and stamp of authorization on the amended plat authorized, so that the same could be filed.
Herbert Parker, representing Jonesboro Development Corporation, presented preliminary plat, which was preliminary approved after the discussion of the necessity of a north and south street somewhere in the area. It was deemed that the particular land involved in this plat was not suitable for such street.
William Green presented an application to build on a lot 80 feet north and south and 62 feet east and west, on the northeast corner of Monroe and Walnut in Jonesboro. After full discussion concerning the parts of the Zoning Ordinance prohibiting such, the same was denied.
Chairman was authorized to fix date for Public Hearing on recommendation of amendments to the Zoning Ordinance. The officers of the Planning Commission were instructed to ask the City Council to designate an area or parts of said ordinance that they deemed should be subject to discussion or public hearing for possible amendments.
The Planning Commission expressed appreciation to City Attorney Gerald E. Pearson for amendment proposed and passed by him, placing a penalty upon violations of Zoning Ordinance No. 954. Motion was made, seconded, and unanimously adopted to record the previous approval of the Planning Commission of the Amendment of Ordinance 954 by adoption of Article VIII providing a penalty for violations and evidencing its recommendations to the City Council.
Communication from City Planning Division, University of Arkansas, concerning blocks that districts count in the 1960 Census was discussed, and it was the opinion of the Planning Commission that such count would serve no useful purpose in Jonesboro.
There being no further business, meeting adjourned.