Chair Pat Lujan ended the Oct. 25 Planning Commission meeting with the surprise announcement he was resigning from the commission and had no further plans to participate in city government. His statement was in response to an appearance at the Oct. 24 city council meeting in which he represented work Planning commissioners had spent “countless hours” in workshops and meetings attempting to clarify and update references in City Code regarding Bed & Breakfasts, only to see council table the matter because aldermen had a different version of the material.
“It was a waste of my time,” Lujan stated. “It was not worth the effort for me.” He pointed out he watched while council grappled for an hour with wording in a resolution for the benefit of the Parks Commission only to have his time at the microphone tabled after only a few minutes.
Lujan said he was upset with the fact the format of the material for council had been changed and he had not been notified. “I’m tired of playing the games,” he said, adding that he loves Eureka Springs, but being involved in city politics was skewing his point of view. “I’d like to get back to loving Eureka Springs,” he said.
Lujan said commissioner Melissa Greene would take over as chair to finish out the year.
Defining ‘family’
During work on upgrading language related to Bed & Breakfasts in City Code, commissioners found an antiquated attempt at defining “family.” Commissioner Tom Buford said he had found an alternative that simply defined family as “a social unit consisting of one or more adults and any children they care for.” Commissioners liked it.
They also agreed the definition of “dwelling” in Code would be okay if the word “weekly” were removed. Commissioner James Morris had further suggestions, and commissioner Susan Harman suggested they retain both versions for the time being as they continue their review of possible changes.
City Economic Development Coordinator Glenna Booth pointed out Code stated it was the Board of Zoning and Adjustment that grants a Conditional Use Permit, but it is actually Planning.
Lujan said they should start a list of suggested amendments and present them to council all at one time.
Anonymity of complaining
Morris said he had mentioned in previous meetings about a procedure whereby citizens could ask the city to review a possibly improper situation without making a formal complaint. He said it would be “asking for a visitation about something not proper.” He insisted there are situations in town that could affect property values, but they go uncorrected in spite of the Clean City Ordinance and he wants a process for somebody to possibly remain anonymous while asking the city to look at a situation.
Lujan said they should put it on their list for further study.
Other items
- Commissioners approved the request by new owners for continuing a CUP for a 5-unit B&B at 28 Ridgeway.
- The commission also approved the new construction of a new kitchen area for 28 S. Main.
- Lujan mentioned council had requested all commissions report on what they had done during 2016 and what they plan for 2017. He asked commissioners to come to the Nov. 8 meeting with what they intend to take on next year.
Next meeting will be Tuesday, Nov. 8, at 6 p.m.