Planning Commission

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES November 28, 2023 @ 5:30 p.m. The Planning Commission held a meeting on Thursday November 28, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. Commissioners Present Don Jacimore, Vice-Chairperson Cody Black John Choate Justin Cothren Luke Duffield Shirley Hatley Larry Smith Eric Westcott, City Council Liaison Commissioners Absent Wendell Miller, Chairperson Cheryl Monfee Visitors: City Planner Sara Jondahl, Planner I Victoria Marchant, Planning Assistant Caden Lemley, and Laura Drown. Welcome Visitors The First Order of Business is a request to review and approve the minutes of the Planning Commission Meeting November 2, 2023. Commissioner Smith motioned to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Choate and passed unanimously. The Second Order of Business is a Special Use Permit to allow a Billboard in a C-2 zone, located along I-40 near Exit 83. Submitted by River Valley Sign on behalf of GCK Properties. (SPUP-1023-000437) City Planner Jondahl stated that this project was already discussed at the Board of Adjustment meeting. She stated that upon approval, the applicant will need to obtain approval from ARDOT prior to submitting for and obtaining the sign permit to commence with construction. She stated that the table of permitted uses states that “Billboards” are permitted by special use within the highway commercial zone. City Planner Jondahl stated that Conforming Billboards are defined as being oriented to the interstate, located within 200 feet of an interstate, and meeting the following requirements: 1. Sign Dimensions: a. A maximum sign area of 672 sqft. The sign proposed is 400 sqft.  b. A maximum height of 60 feet. The revised proposal is for a sign OAH of 50 feet tall. 2. Number of Signs: Billboard structures shall be placed no less than 1,000 linear feet from other billboard sign structures. The proposed location is greater than 1,000 linear feet from any adjacent billboards. 3. Design standards: the Board of Adjustment granted a variance to this requirement since they are just moving an existing billboard. Approve this application with the following conditions: 1. Apply for and obtain an A-Tag permit from ARDOT; and 2. The re-constructed sign a. As a result of a variance being granted the Reconstructed Billboard will not need to meet the design requirements of Article 7.8 3) B. (v); and 3. Obtain a sign permit from the City upon approval by ARDOT. As a result of the findings below: 1. The requirements for a conforming billboard have been met, or will be confirmed to be in compliance regarding the design requirements at time of building permit issuance. Commissioner Black made a motion to approve the application as submitted. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Choate and passed unanimously. The Third Order of Business is Rezoning a property from R-2 to M-1, located at 725 S Macon Ave. Submitted by Osmin Herrera. (ZONE-1123-00451) Planning Assistant Lemley stated that located on South Macon Avenue, this property is currently vacant. He stated that the property is south of Wayne’s Wrecker Services and is roughly 200 feet west of the Tyson facility on Tyler Road. He stated that this is an industrial district where you see a variety of uses including Wayne’s Wrecker Service, Tyson Foods, Arkansas Tinting, Americold Logistics, a Church, Hixon Lumber Company and Single Family homes. He stated that this is an area of industrial properties, yet a majority of the property along the east side of S. Macon Ave is zoned R2 Medium Density Residential. Planning Assistant Lemley stated that as for review comments, there are three things to consider. He stated that the first is Future and Current Land Uses of the Area. He stated that the current uses of properties along Macon Ave are industrial properties. He stated that the second is the ReImagine Russellville 2040 comprehensive plan. He stated that the comprehensive plan defines this area as “Industrial Campus,” which are industrial complexes made up of large-scale industrial operations. He stated that the third is the value or income potential of the property. He stated that changing the zone from R2 Medium Density Residential to M1 Light Industrial may change the income or value potential of those properties zoned as R2, however this is in alignment with the comprehensive plan and more accurately reflects future growth in this area. Forward this application to City Council with a recommendation of Approval as a result of the findings that: 1. The application is in line with Existing and Future Land Uses within the area; and 2. The proposal aligns with the ReImagine Russellville 2040 Comprehensive Plan; and 3. The value or income potential of the property may change, however, this request is being made by a new owner looking to develop the property; and 4. The City plans to rezone adjacent property to M1 Light Industrial in addition to this application. Commissioner Choate motioned to approve the application as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Smith and passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned. ______________________ Chairperson