The Eureka Springs Planning Commission convened an hour early March 14 for a workshop with consultant Craig Hull to discuss a new Master Plan for the city. Hull emphasized the importance of looking at the perimeter and outskirts of the city because if the city plans to grow, that’s where it will expand. He pointed out he has seen cities fail to pay attention to potential growth areas until the process becomes unwieldy or another municipality claims potential expansion sites.
Commissioner James Morris explained Passion Play Road runs in and out of city limits, and he wanted to avoid uncomfortable juxtapositions caused by lack of planning. An example he offered was a church in city limits could find itself neighbor to a go-cart track or shooting range. He also cited areas along Hwy. 23 South where only one side of the road is in city limits. His opinion was annexation was a dirty word, but he wanted to watch out for the interests of the city.
Hull quickly responded that annexation is not a dirty word and should be planned for.
Commissioner Susan Harman commented the City Advertising and Promotion Commission has begun expanding advertising outside traditional target areas to as many as 80 million more people, which would increase the possibility of visitors moving here. She asked commissioners where newcomers lwould ive or locate their businesses, and asked Hull how to plan for the change.
Hull said state law guides city planners to consider light, air and water.
Morris said the fact that Eureka Springs is a tourist town means it offers mostly seasonal jobs and therefore has trouble attracting workers looking for full-time employment. He also questioned where more workers would live, so how could the town grow without including the environs in planning?
City Economic Development Coordinator Glenna Booth encouraged the city to promote infill because there are empty buildings needing tenants. In addition, the town is losing families and children so planners should find out what they need to stay.
Hull was clear that Eureka Springs should act like a city and go after its territory. “Grab what’s yours or else Holiday Island will go after it,” Hull observed. He advised the city to look ahead 20 years or more and consider different components, including transportation, present and future land use. He pointed out there are incorporated cities within larger cities because a group of citizens wanted to provide certain amenities for themselves the larger city did not provide.
“It is war when you talk about annexation and the process becomes a lawyer’s game,” Hull said, stating that areas near city limits still get fire protection and other benefits without paying taxes. He contended annexation is not a planning issue, but a finance and city hall issue.
Commissioner Tom Buford said there is not much flat land to build on in Eureka Springs, and areas such as Passion Play begin to fill up little by little which results in the city losing larger open spaces. Commissioner Ann Sallee agreed there are areas near city limits the city could consider for annexation when the time is right.
Hull, who is now a regional planner, told the commission if he were hired to assist with developing the Master Plan, he would set up specific topics and conduct public meetings.
Harman returned to the question of their immediate goal, and chair Melissa Greene suggested they start by reviewing the existing Vision Plan at a workshop. Hull added the process must include Public Works Director Dwayne Allen and police Chief Thomas Achord.