At the April 9 Planning Commission meeting, discussion was primarily the need to review the city’s zoning map. Kyle Palmer, the city’s director of Planning and Community Development, said Mayor Butch Berry had raised the issue as the city’s zoning map was last updated in 2016. There have been six zoning changes since.
Palmer explained that the process of updating the zoning map would require public hearings and the city would also have to hire a consultant. “It’s a significant process,” he said.
Commission Chair Susan Harman asked about setting a schedule for regular updates, perhaps every 10 years. She also discussed the need for city council to create a budget for this process.
Trees toppling
Harman said Building Inspector Jacob Coburn had issued an emergency permit to remove some trees considered hazardous. She led a discussion about various aspects of the procedure, and specifically asked if the commission chair should be notified if the building inspector receives an emergency application.
The discussion developed the need for clarification on the emergency tree-cut procedure. The application form for tree-cuts also needs work. The application under consideration covered trees at 22 First St., for owner John Cross, and the commissioners expect to have more information on that project by the May 14 meeting.
In other business:
- Palmer read a series of 19 postcards calling for continued restrictions on B&Bs in residential zones. Most of the cards came from the area of Emporia Street. Harman expressed her appreciation for the citizen input, which she said would help provide a record of public opinion.
- A discussion about sidewalks will continue at the May meeting. The commission’s application forms should include explicit language to note that the city can require sidewalks for new subdivisions or for commercial construction.
- Commissioners have discussed the need to update the city’s code books, and those updates should be available by the May 14 meeting.
- A workshop on updates to city codes concerning bed & breakfast operations preceded the regular meeting. Another workshop is scheduled prior to the May 14 meeting, the last in a series of workshops on the topic.
- The commission currently operates with a bare quorum of four members. Commissioner Tom Buford had an application to cut some trees at 115 E. Van Buren, but commissioners could not approve the application after Buford’s recusal. His application was dated March 20, and the commission has 45 days to respond. Another commissioner may be added before that deadline.
- The May 14 meeting already has a loaded agenda. If a new commissioner is in place, Buford’s tree-cut application will come to the table, and discussion on possible changes to the tree-cut application will continue. Commissioners expect to assemble their final recommendations for updates to the city’s B&B regulations. Questions about sidewalks will continue, along with updates to the city’s planning and zoning map.
- At the mayor’s request, the commission will investigate the possibility of regulating crypto-mining and wind power. Nothing in current code addresses either subject. Buford said a state-imposed deadline may have already passed to enact such regulations, and Palmer will check on that.
- Main Street Eureka Springs will conduct a walkability study until June. Residents and visitors can fill out surveys to provide feedback on navigating the city on foot.
- Main Street Eureka Springs will present a program explaining how property owners can qualify for historic preservation tax credits at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, at 125 Spring St.