Development News for North Little Rock, Arkansas

Home Office Special Use Approved with Customer Limit and Accessibility Requirements

An ordinance was considered to grant a special use to allow property at 2001 Parker Street to be used as a home office, permitting customer visits and the storage of personal vehicles in an R3 zoning district. The council debated the precedent of allowing customer traffic to home-based businesses and the implications for traffic and neighborhood character. The applicant, Anthony Pettigrew, explained his business involves process serving and notary services. Concerns were raised about potential impacts, including customer visits and vehicle storage. The council debated the number of vehicles that could be stored and the implications of having multiple types of operations (rentals and notary service) at the property. An amendment was proposed and passed to limit customer visits to one at a time. The ordinance also requires the restroom facility to meet building codes for commercial or public assembly and adhere to ADA requirements. Mr. Pettigrew agreed to the amendment and the accessibility requirements. The property also has a current business license for room rentals.

Proposal to Donate Historic Fire Station for Innovation Hub Relaunch

During public comment, Tobias Peoples requested that the city consider donating Fire Station Number One (Argenta Fire Station) at 723 Maple Street to an effort to relaunch the Innovation Hub. He argued that the city has lost a significant artistic hub and needs a space for creation. He contrasted this with a potential fire museum, stating the existing state fire museum has not expressed interest, and the Heritage Center already covers firefighting history. He mentioned a petition with over 5,000 signatures supporting the relaunch of the Innovation Hub.

Conditional Use for Tire Sales Held Pending Surface Improvement Discussion

An ordinance (026-35) was considered to grant a conditional use for the sale of tires in a C3 zone at 2401 Highway 161. During the discussion, a question arose about the temporary outdoor display of tires, with the applicant clarifying that display tires and rims are brought in daily. The applicant stated they plan to sell five cars and have eight rims, with staff limited to two people. The council discussed the number of vehicles allowed on the lot, with planning stating that seven vehicles, including sales, employees, and customers, are permitted based on square footage. The applicant requested a one or two-week hold to confer with the landlord regarding surface requirements (asphalt or concrete). The ordinance requires sales and leased vehicles to be on asphalt or concrete, not gravel. The applicant agreed to pursue asphalt or concrete surfacing.

Multiple Properties Declared Public Nuisances; One Hearing Delayed for Ownership Documentation

Resolutions were considered to declare certain buildings and structures at 419 Parkdale Street (R-26-142) and 825 East 13th Street (R-26-143) as public nuisances and to condemn the structures, providing a period for owners to abate the nuisance. For the property at 825 East 13th Street, Mr. James Boggs, who is in the process of purchasing the property, spoke about his intent to remodel and repair it. He requested time to finalize the purchase and obtain necessary documentation. The council agreed to hold R-26-143 for two and a half weeks to allow Mr. Boggs to secure ownership documentation. Other resolutions declared structures at 1308 Olive Street (R-26-144), 5618 East Broadway Street (R-26-145), and 5020 and 1/2 East Broadway Street (R-26-146, R-26-147) as public nuisances. For 1308 Olive Street, Steven Lee spoke, stating the case had been dismissed previously and questioned the current action. He identified himself as the owner and stated he uses the property for woodworking and drying wood, and it may have historic value. For the Broadway Street properties, no one spoke during the public hearings. Resolutions were also considered for certifying cleanup liens at 804 East 14th Street (R-26-148) and approving liens for grass cutting and nuisance abatement (R-26-149).