Municipal League attorney to hold Planning workshop

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At the Oct. 23 Planning Commission meeting, Chair Ann Sallee announced Municipal League attorney Jim von Tungeln will attend a special workshop Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 4 p.m. in the Auditorium before the regular meeting. Commissioners agreed to submit possible topics of discussion, which they will cover at the Nov. 13 meeting. Sallee said, “I have a lot of questions about City Code, and we have him for two hours.” The public is invited.

Applications updated

Commissioner Abbey Abbey went over her revised drafts for a new Conditional Use Permit application, an addendum particular to boarding houses and tourist lodgings, and an affidavit to be signed by the applicant. She said she had learned about some items she added at a recent training.

Comments at the table were few, and commissioner Susan Harman said Abbey’s revisions looked good to her, so Harman moved to approve the draft CUP application. Her motion got a second and unanimous approval. The two addenda were also approved.

Regarding his revised tree cut permit application, commissioner Tom Buford said he found a typo in what he had hoped was the final draft. He said he would correct the error for the next meeting, but in the meantime, commissioners could review the draft again and make their final suggestions.

Proposed Code revisions on hold

Sallee reported she had read further into Arkansas statutes and wondered, “Maybe we don’t need to invent the wheel.” She found what appeared to be conflicts with the definition of a Bed & Breakfast. She noted City Economic Developer Glenna Booth had worked hard to prepare for city council their recommendations for updates to Code, but wondered if they should wait.

Commissioner Woodie Acord commented, “We won’t know if council will pass it unless we send it.”

Buford, though, commented the change in council might affect the outcome, and suggested they wait until 2019 to present their recommended changes.

Sallee agreed they should hold on to the proposed changes to Code “and get it right before council gets it.”

Next meeting will be Tuesday, Nov. 13, at 6 p.m.