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Minutes for the MAPC meeting on June 14, 2005.
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Metropolitan Area Planning Commission Minutes, June 14, 2005
Approval of minutes of the May 10, 2005 meeting.
#1 CU-05-04 Valley View Church of Christ requests conditional use approval to locate a church on a 12-acre site in an R-1 Single-family District. The subject property is at 4500 Southwest Drive.
Randy Simpkins is proponent for this item. Dr. Beadles asked if there were any opponents and there were none. The City Planner and the City Engineer had no comments. Mr. Vance moved for approval, Mr. Gott seconded, and the motion carried with a unanimous vote.
#2 FP-05-06 Nix Development requests Final Plat review of Plantation Estates, a 23-lot residential subdivision on 70.77 acres in an R-1 Single Family Medium Density District. The subject property is located on the north side of Woodsprings Road, between Ridgepointe and Preston Oaks.
Proponent for this item is John Easley representing Nix Construction Company. Dr. Beadles asked for any opponents and there were none. The City Planner and City Engineer had no comments. Mr. Day asked if all the stipulations were met and Mr. Easley said all the stipulations were met last month. Dr. Beadles stated that any stipulations must be included with the motion. Mr. Day moved for approval subject to meeting any staff stipulations, Ms. Moore seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
#3 PP-05-05 Rick Turman requests Preliminary Plat review of Stoneridge Phase I, a 62-lot residential subdivision on 22.14-acres in an R-1 Single-Family District. The subject property is on the east side of Kellers Chapel Road, north of Darr Hill Road.
Mr. Carlos Woods was proponent representing the property owner. Mr. Woods said he is asking for preliminary approval. The Engineering department had eight (8) comments and Mr. Woods said he addressed all of them. Dr. Beadles asked if there were any opponents and there were none. Mr. Martin stated that Mr. Woods had agreed to address all eight (8) items and that he (Mr. Martin) was satisfied. Mr. Sawyer moved for approval, was seconded by Mr. Vance, and the motion carried with a unanimous vote.
#4 PP-05-06 Jim Darnell requests Preliminary Plat review of Woodridge Place Phase IV, a 30-lot residential subdivision on 7.513-acres in an R-3 Multi-Family High Density District. The subject property is east of Sandino Drive and south of Charles Drive.
Proponent and engineer for this item is Carlos Woods. Mr. Woods mentioned that this item had the same problem as the item #3- PP-05-05. Dr. Beadles asked for any opponents and there were none. Mr. Harris stated that the development along Sandino Drive currently totals about 75 lots. This request, if approved, would add 30 more. Mr. Harris stated that some of the East-West connectors shown on the master plan for Woodridge Place should be created before too many more lots are approved. Mr. Woods said his intention is to have a connection all the way to the main road. Mr. Martin said that Mr. Woods has met all the stipulations raised by the Engineering Department. Mr. Vance moved to approve subject to staff stipulations being addressed. Ms. Moore seconded, and the motion carried with a unanimous vote.
#5 RZ-05-06 Cook Construction requests rezoning from R-1 Single-family Medium Density District to R-5 Multi-family District for a 1.296 acre parcel on the north side of Aggie Road near Sagewood Drive.
Terry Bare and Mr. Cook were present as proponents. Mr. Cook attended the last meeting requesting a rezoning to R-5 but would now like to request R-2 zoning. At the last meeting there was a question as to when nearby rezonings and construction had occurred, and in what order. Property to the east of the subject property was rezoned to multi-family in 1997 and construction of the apartments on that site began in 2001. The property that lies across the street, though developed as single family houses, is zoned R-2. Dr. Beadles asked if there were any opponents and there were several, including Brian Ward, Perry Smith and Brad Partee. Mr. Ward has property at 4012 Aggie Road which adjoins the subject property. Mr. Ward stated he purchased this property about 3 to 4 years ago and said that he is worried about his property value going down and the safety of the children and residents. The Chairman of Country Woods Subdivision said that a committee of the subdivision had a meeting and all those present voted to oppose this item. He further stated that they are not against Mr. Cook himself, or the building of these apartments, but they are against the invasion of the people of the subdivision and worried about the values of their homes and decreasing the safety of the neighborhood children. He also stated that the Nettleton School District school buses cannot pull into the parking lots of the existing apartments and also have trouble pulling out of trailer parks. Mr. Smith lives on the corner of Sagewood and Aggie Road. He is also concerned about the safety factor and his property value. He mentioned that it is very hard to get in and out of his driveway. Mr. Bare addressed some of the opponents concerns regarding the traffic issue. He stated that no one would deny that Jonesboro has a traffic problem but there are several hundred acres out there for single family homes. As far as the Nettleton School District, there was a rezoning request on Stadium Blvd. some time ago for apartments, and someone mentioned that the school was against the apartment complex being built. However, with more research it was found that the school was not against the building of the apartment complex, but that their interest was in the safety of the children. The City Planner and City Engineer had no comments. Mr. Cook stated that he just wanted to build a four-plex and that he would also include landscaping and lawn care service. Mr. Cook stated that the Craighead County records indicate Mr. Ward purchased his house on April 8, 2002, after the nearby apartments were completed.
When Mr. Ward purchased his house he should have seen how this area might develop. Mr. Sawyer stated that he drove around this area and realized how little property University Heights had for future building, and that he felt adding these apartments would create too high a concentration. Mr. Sawyer moved to recommend denial and Mr. Roberts seconded. The motion failed for lack of a five vote majority. Mr. Day moved to recommend approval of R-2 zoning, but with a limited use overlay allowing a maximum of four (4) units total for the parcel. After being seconded, the motion carried, 5-1.
#6 RZ-05-14 Wade Quinn requests approval of rezoning from R-1 Single-Family Medium Density District to C-3 General Commercial District for a 2 acre parcel located on the west side of Highway 351 just north of Highway 49.
Mr. Terry Bare was the proponent for this item due to Mr. Quinn’s absence. Mr. Bare stated that when Mr. Quinn purchased the subject property he believed it to be zoned commercial. Only when Mr. Kiser applied to rezone the property just to the north did Mr. Quinn become aware that his property was zoned R-1. There is already a commercial structure on the property. Dr. Beadles asked if any opponents to the proposed rezoning were present and there was no response. Dr. Beadles asked if anyone had a motion. Mr. Vance moved to recommend to the Council approval of the requested rezoning. Mr. Gott seconded, and the motion carried with a unanimous vote.
#7 RZ-05-15 Robert Rees requests approval of rezoning from C-3 General Commercial District to R-6 Multi-Family District for a 1.13 acre parcel located on the west side of Dara Drive just north of Highland Drive.
Robert Rees was proponent for this item. Mr. Rees stated that these apartments will be 650 feet with 12x12 enclosed patios. Mr. Harris and Mr. Martin had no comments. Mr. Day stated that he felt the number of apartments allowed by R-6 zoning would be too much for this neighborhood street. He stated his preference for a limitation of four (4) units on the lot, and asked Mr. Rees for a layout drawing of the apartments. Mr. Rees stated that the Future Land Use Plan showed 3-10 units per acre for this area. Mr. Day moved to deny the request. The motion failed for lack of a second. The Chair asked if any other Commissioner would like to make a motion. No motion was made. At this time, Mr. Rees asked to withdraw his application, stating he would come back with drawings of his proposal. Withdrawn by applicant.
#8 RZ-05-16 Dennis Gambill requests approval of rezoning from R-1 Single-Family Medium Density District to C-3 General Commercial District for a 1.5 acre parcel on the west side of Southwest Drive just north of Darr Hill Road.
Terry Bare, who prepared the application for this item, was present as proponent. Mr. Bare stated that there had been two rezoning requests for this property denied in recent years, but that those requests had included lots 20 and 21, which did not front on Southwest Drive. Mr. Gambill only wants to rezone lots 6, 7, 8, and 9. Mr. Bare stated that Mr. Gambill had spoken with many of the neighbors about his proposal and that the owner of Lot 10 was present and had no objections to the request. Mr. Bare further stated that the subject property adjoins land to the West which is currently zoned C-3, and that the property fronts on five-lane U.S. Highway 49. Mr. Gambill contends that residential zoning is no longer proper for this property, and he is requesting C-3 zoning, which he feels is more appropriate considering the situation. Dr. Beadles asked if any opponents to the request were present, and there were none. Mr. Harris stated that no one contacted the Planning Department on this item. Mr. Vance moved to recommend approval, was seconded by Mr. Gott, and the motion carried by unanimous vote.
#9 RZ-05-17 Randy Simpkins and Danny Wallis request approval of rezoning from R-1 Single-Family Medium Density District to R-6 Multi-Family District for a 10.94 acre parcel located on the west side of North Patrick Street north of Belt Street.
Proponent for this item is Randy Simpkins. Mr. Simpkins is owner of the subject property. He stated that his property is abutted on the west by R-3 and on the north by land recently rezoned to R-2A and site of the currently building ‘The Ridge’ apartments. He further stated that nearby property to the south is R-3. Several residents who live near the subject property, including Carolyn Tinsley and Mr. Foreman, were present to voice opposition. The opponents stated that this area has no sidewalks and more apartments will increase the danger the residents, particularly the children. The residents said in the early mornings several school buses use Patrick, and traffic backs up due to all the stops. The stop sign at Belt Street also is site of rush hour congestion. Ms. Tinsley said additional apartments will increase the crime rate, decrease property values, and worsen safety problems for the children. Mr. Harris stated that there were approximately 20 calls opposing this rezoning. Mr. Simpkins said he would compromise and change his request to R-5. Mr. Sawyer made a motion to deny but the motion failed when no second was made. Mr. Simpkins then asked how long he would have to wait to reapply if his request was denied. Dr. Beadles said there was a six month waiting period to reapply with the same proposal, but that a significantly revised proposal could be submitted at the next meeting. Mr. Vance moved to recommend rezoning to R-5 with a limitation of ten (10) units per acre, and was seconded by Ms. Moore. The motion failed on a vote of four ayes, one nay, and one abstention. The Chair stated that no recommendation would be forwarded to City Council.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:15 P.M.