A request by Joey Richmond to rezone a 2.17-acre land plot in the 1000 block of Hoadley Road from single-family residential to general commercial has the White Hall Planning Commission looking at altering the city’s land use plan in the vicinity.
The panel, upon the recommendation of the Southeast Arkansas Planning Commission’s Jerre George, voted unanimously Monday night to suspend action on Richmond’s request until after it conducts a public hearing on the possible adjustment at the commission’s March 8 meeting.
Richmond said he and a partner want to construct a “family restaurant” at the site.
George said the current plan would allow construction of apartments at the site, which already has an apartment unit nearby. Mayor James “Jitters” Morgan took issue with George’s stance, saying he had determined vacancies at several apartments and therefore another apartment complex isn’t needed.
Morgan also fears that “low-rent, government apartments” might be placed there, and he doesn’t want such “within walking distance” of Moody Elementary School. Morgan also said tax revenue from a restaurant will be helpful to the city.
Morgan and Richmond expressed support for the request during a public hearing prior to the commission’s meeting. No one spoke in opposition during the hearing.
George said she’s not necessarily opposed to a restaurant or other business at the site, but stressed that the commission should carefully follow its land use plan or it and the city could be accused of favoritism or “spot zoning.” Commissioner Ken Smith agreed and motioned for the delay on the request until next month.
Smith said he supports the notion of a restaurant there, but he doesn’t want to “promote spot zoning.”
“We need to look at amending the land use plan first,” said Smith, who echoed Morgan and Richmond in noting that much property within the area in question is already zoned commercial.
George said a newspaper advertisement is required, giving persons a 15-day notice of a public hearing.
Prior to the commission’s vote, City Attorney Tom Owens stated his support of George’s contention in regard to the land use plan and told the panel, “That would be the wise thing to do.”
Owens also pointed out the commission would need to recommend any land use changes to the council for its consideration before suggesting any action on Richmond’s request.
Owens cautioned the commission to be thoughtful and cautious in its study of the land use plan.
George agreed and added that if a land use plan isn’t followed, there’s no need for a planning commission.
A request by Joey Richmond to rezone a 2.17-acre land plot in the 1000 block of Hoadley Road from single-family residential to general commercial has the White Hall Planning Commission looking at altering the city’s land use plan in the vicinity.
The panel, upon the recommendation of the Southeast Arkansas Planning Commission’s Jerre George, voted unanimously Monday night to suspend action on Richmond’s request until after it conducts a public hearing on the possible adjustment at the commission’s March 8 meeting.
Richmond said he and a partner want to construct a “family restaurant” at the site.
George said the current plan would allow construction of apartments at the site, which already has an apartment unit nearby. Mayor James “Jitters” Morgan took issue with George’s stance, saying he had determined vacancies at several apartments and therefore another apartment complex isn’t needed.
Morgan also fears that “low-rent, government apartments” might be placed there, and he doesn’t want such “within walking distance” of Moody Elementary School. Morgan also said tax revenue from a restaurant will be helpful to the city.
Morgan and Richmond expressed support for the request during a public hearing prior to the commission’s meeting. No one spoke in opposition during the hearing.
George said she’s not necessarily opposed to a restaurant or other business at the site, but stressed that the commission should carefully follow its land use plan or it and the city could be accused of favoritism or “spot zoning.” Commissioner Ken Smith agreed and motioned for the delay on the request until next month.
Smith said he supports the notion of a restaurant there, but he doesn’t want to “promote spot zoning.”
“We need to look at amending the land use plan first,” said Smith, who echoed Morgan and Richmond in noting that much property within the area in question is already zoned commercial.
George said a newspaper advertisement is required, giving persons a 15-day notice of a public hearing.
Prior to the commission’s vote, City Attorney Tom Owens stated his support of George’s contention in regard to the land use plan and told the panel, “That would be the wise thing to do.”
Owens also pointed out the commission would need to recommend any land use changes to the council for its consideration before suggesting any action on Richmond’s request.
Owens cautioned the commission to be thoughtful and cautious in its study of the land use plan.
George agreed and added that if a land use plan isn’t followed, there’s no need for a planning commission.
