The Feb. 8 meeting of the Planning Commission drew some advance interest when an application to install a septic system on Wall Street appeared on the agenda. The potential for drama quickly evaporated when Chair Ann Tandy-Sallee said the commission had no jurisdiction over septic systems and the item was dismissed from the agenda.
City Historic Preservation Officer Kylee Hevrdejs had prepared a draft of commission goals for the coming year. She asked for individual commissioners to adopt one or more areas of focus, and several immediately expressed an interest in minimum maintenance issues. Hevrdejs noted that the Historic District Commission is also studying minimum maintenance issues, especially in preventing demolition by neglect.
In addition to minimum maintenance, the list of goals also included parking issues, an updated zoning map, and the Geographic Information System project. The GIS mapping plan was described as “a tool to help with both decision making and long-range planning efforts.”
The discussion on parking will focus on residential areas. Surveys have been sent to residents in key areas of the city in an effort to learn what issues those residents find most important. Hevrdejs said the results of that survey will be available for the next meeting. Hevrdejs has also compiled the reports of individual commissioners, who had chosen specific areas of the city to assess on foot. She asked everyone to look through the reports, which she described as “a lot to take in.” Commissioner Tom Buford said the city council should check with the commission before vacating an alley, because some of those unused alleys could provide much-needed parking.
On the subject of housing, Tandy-Sallee said the commission should work together with the Historic District Commission on the subject of manufactured housing. Hevrdejs said, “I think there is some latitude in our current zoning to rethink manufactured housing.” She said the issue is not specifically addressed in city codes. She also raised other issues, including tiny houses, which could be built on some otherwise unusable small lots. Before leaving the topic, Tandy-Sallee reminded everyone of the economics of the housing situation. “If a little house rents for $1,000 a month, but brings in $150 a night as tourist lodging, it’s going to be a problem for housing.”
In other business:
- Commissioners approved an application by Kolin and Karen Paulk, at 36 Dawson Rd., to add two bed & breakfast units. They explained that they live on the property, and asked to convert a cottage set away from the house. They will also convert a shop building with an apartment. The property is remote, on a lightly traveled road. Tandy-Sallee listed the requirements for B&Bs, including offering breakfast and listing amenities in all advertising.
- An application to continue a Conditional Use Permit for five B&B units at 28 Ridgeway Ave. was also approved. Mike and Leigh Turner said they will have an onsite manager, and they have seven parking spaces available. A neighbor offered some reservations, but the Turners noted that they had lived on the street themselves for 15 years, and they would be quick to address any problems arising from the operation. One of the proposed units is currently in use as an apartment but will be converted to tourist lodging when the current tenant leaves.
- The commission retained its slate of officers, with Tandy-Sallee as chair, Fergie Stewart as vice-chair, and Tom Buford as secretary.
- During public comments, Melinda Large repeated a request for “documented and published procedures” for enforcing ordinances. “City codes are only one side, and enforcement is the other,” she said. “I believe we need to have a published document to report violations of Ordinance 2311.” Large had attended the Nov. 9 commission meeting with a similar request and expressed concern for increasing incursions of tourist lodging in residential neighborhoods. She also asked for anonymity for those reporting violations, but City Historic Preservation Officer Kylee Hevrdejs explained the problems with anonymous reports.
Hevrdejs said any written document is subject to the Freedom of Information Act and must be released to the public on request. On the other hand, anonymous complaints may be frivolous, and the city lacks the staff to respond to unfounded complaints. Hevrdejs also reminded everyone that someone filing a report is essentially alleging a crime, so legal issues arise from a false report.
- Stewart gave an update on efforts to improve Internet service to Eureka Springs. He said more than 25 people attended a meeting in the Aud with a representative from the company assessing Internet needs for the state. The city has applied for a grant to improve Internet service, and a report will come out in April to determine the next steps.