The Planning Commission has continued to address wording in city regulations regarding bed & breakfast permits in residential areas. They have focused especially on definitions of “on-site” managers. At the Oct. 22 meeting, they looked at a draft ordinance prepared by city preservationist Glenna Booth, who explained that new Conditional Use Permits would require the manager to live on the property. Current language allows for managers living on an adjacent property, and Booth said a new ordinance will not affect permit holders currently operating in accordance with their permits.
The ordinance would include language allowing a third party to operate for owners or managers for vacations or other interruptions.
Commissioners took copies of the proposed ordinance saying they planned to study the draft before the Nov. 12 meeting. Even if the commission agrees on wording at that meeting, Chair Ann Sallee said she might not refer a new ordinance to council until the new year because of holiday meeting schedules.
In other business:
- With the resignation of former secretary James Mitchell from the commission, LauraJo Smole volunteered to serve in that capacity.
- A workshop on a new tree ordinance preceded the meeting. Commissioners said they would postpone formal discussion of this evening’s workshop until the Nov. 12 meeting. Another workshop, at 5 p.m., will precede that meeting.
- Sallee said she will check with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality for regulations on runoff before proceeding with an ordinance to restrict fundraiser car washes to the bays of commercial car washes.
- The commission currently has only five members, but Booth said city council has another application to consider.