Monday, May 26, 2008

Planning Commission to fill empty seat

Upon the death of Mr. Jerry Phillips, a NLR Planning Commissioner and resident from Ward 4, the Mayor will be selecting his replacement from our Ward. This action could take place as early as the June 9th City Council Meeting. If any NLANder would like to be nominated for consideration in filling this seat on the Planning Commission they should immediately contact Mayor Hays, Ward 4 Aldermen Charlie Hight and Murry Witcher, or Robert Voyles, the NLR Planning Department Director. Their phone numbers and e-mail addresses are listed either here on our blog or under the blog's 'North Little Rock' link. Indeed it would be a plus to have one of our neighbors sitting on the NLR Planning Commission where NLR's city planning and development takes its first step on the path to gaining City Council approval. Please consider this opportunity to serve!

City Council Meeting will be held Tuesday evening

For reason of the Memorial Day Holiday the regular scheduled City Council Meeting will be held this Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM in City Hall. If you can not make the meeting in person it is available on Comcast Channel 4. Hopefully we'll have sound as well as video this time around! Two items of business should prove to be most interesting this evening:

Resolution R-08-75: Relocation Agreement and Right of Way Conveyance from NLR to Entergy. This concerns moving major electrical poles from south of Riverfront Park to the north side to satisfy a future developer's purchase offer, and was opposed by an established north side business owner, Bubba Lloyd. The public hearing on this resolution will continue tonight, and it should be very interesting to see what takes place when Mr. Lloyd once again takes the public's speaker podium.

Ordinance O-08-40 Job Classifications and Numbers of Employees for Each NLR City Department. The established full-time employee numbers for the fire department is 151, while the police department's full-time employee number is 238. Currently the actual staffing level for our police is below the 238 level and continues to be a concern of NLR citizens. And the Fire Department has stated they need more employees over the 151 number, too! Mayor Hays has taken a position that the current actual staffing numbers are in order and no additional headcount will be funded for either city department. Will these concerns be brought up at tonight's council meeting in approving these established staffing quotas? Stay tuned!

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Oak Tree Circle Island

I am wondering who is responsible for the island that is on the south end of Oak Tree Circle. Years ago, it used to be regularly mowed and also had at least two nice concrete benches in it. If there are any original residents to the street left, they might remember a few block parties that took place down there as well. In recent months, it has become completely overgrown with weeds, and cars and trucks parking on it almost daily. I have even picked up trash on it when out walking. It's getting to be quite an eyesore in our little circle. At some point it was regularly mowed and taken care of, and I just wondered why that wasn't happening anymore and if something could be done to change it.

Many thanks,
Debra Wood

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT PUBLIC HEARING

On May 29, 2008 at 1:30 P.M. in Conference Room B at the Office of Community Planning (120 Main St., NLR, AR 72114) pursuant to its own motion, the North Little Rock Board of Adjustment will hold a Public Hearing for Variance requests under the authority North Little Rock Ordinance No. 7697.

New Business:
BOA CASE # 1399
– Ms. Melba L. Nelson, 314 Mills Street – To appeal Code Enforcement notice of inoperable vehicle.
BOA CASE # 1400 – Ms. Summer E. Bartczak, 177 Sunset Drive - Part of the Northeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 17, Township 2 North, Range 12 West, Pulaski County, Arkansas, mor particularly described as follows: Commencing at the Northeast Quarter of said section 17; thence S 0 deg 03' 32" E, 434.00'; thence N 89 deg 54' 41" W, 645.7' to the point of beginning; thence S 0 deg 03' 32" E, 200'; thence N 89 deg 54' 41" W, 110.0'; thence N 0 deg 03' 32" W, 200.0'; thence S 89 deg 54' 41" E, 110.0' to the point of beginning,containing .51 acres more or less - To allow an accessory building located in the side yard of a residential lot with a 3.5 ft. side yard setback from the east side property line.
BOA CASE # 1401 – Mr. Don Moir, 13301 Valentine Road – Maverick Addition, Tract 1A – To allow a building to be located 22 feet from the property line, which is a 8 foot variance from the required 30 foot setback.
BOA CASE # 1402 – Mr. W. Paul Toombs, 1935 Arrowhead Road – Lot 2, Block 1, Arrowhead Manor – To allow an accessory structure to with a setback of 18" from the rear property line and 4-1/2' from the side property line.
BOA CASE # 1403 – Mrs. Pat Brockington, Lot 1 Kenbrock Addition – To allow a 6 ft. chainlink fence with 3 strands of barbed wire inclined inward along the front property line.
BOA Case # 1404 – Mrs. Christine Edmondson, 7001 W. Meadow Lane, Lot 14 Meadow Lane Acres - To allow a 6 ft. chainlink fence with 3 strands of barbed wire for security during the construction and after for security of the commercial building.
All parties interested may appear and be heard at said time and place. All pertinent data and information are available for inspection in the office of Community Planning, 120 Main Street, NLR, AR 72114.

North Little Rock City Council Agenda - Tuesday, May 27

COMMUNICATIONS
1. Charlotte Thomas, Mayor’s Office, memorandum re: Restaurant Mixed Drink and Sunday Beverage - Change of Manager for Rhonda Akins, Red Lobster #319, 3707 McCain Boulevard, by Jerry W. Hutto, Jr.
2. J. French Hill letter to Mayor Hays re: entertainment venue across from the Clinton Library and Park, complaint regarding obscenities in the city park, Saturday, May 17, 2008.
PUBLIC HEARING 7:05 p.m.
7:05 p.m. Reconvene re: R-08-75, authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a relocation agreement and right-of-way conveyance from the City of NLR to Entergy, AR, Inc.
Please complete a public comment card if you are speaking at anytime during this City Council Meeting and return to City Clerk before this meeting convenes

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
RESOLUTIONS

R-08-62 Mayor Hays
Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sell a vacant lot located next to 1512 37th Street (to Ron Moore for $1,500.00) - Held
R-08-69 Mayor Hays
Declaring certain buildings, houses and other structures located at 2704 - 2706 Gribble to constitute a public nuisance and condemning the same (owners: Robert J. and Lynda K. Kuta) - Held / Convene public hearing this date
R-08-70 Mayor Hays
Declaring certain buildings, houses and other structures located at 3021 Arkansas Avenue to constitute a public nuisance and condemning the same (owners: Bobby G. and Jennifer Henry) - Held / Convene public hearing this date
ORDINANCES
O-08-34 Alderman Gaines
(see amendment for consideration only this date)
Granting a Conditional Use to allow a Self-Serve Ice Machine in a C-3 zone for property located at 3621 Camp Robinson Road (applicant: Bill Looper) - Read 1 time and held
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTIONS
R-08-75 Mayor Hays
Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a Relocation Agreement and Right-of-way Conveyance from the City of NLR to Entergy, AR, Inc. (Smarthouse Way) - Refiled / Reconvene Public Hearing
R-08-76 Mayor Hays
Approving retaining consultant Deborah H. Schwartz for a Short-Term Recovery Plan and Long-Term Development Strategy at the NLR Airport; appropriating funds ($35,000 - General Fund)
R-08-77 Mayor Hays
Authorizing the Mayor and NLR Fire Chief to enter into an Informal Automatic Aid Agreement between the City of NLR and the East Pulaski Fire Department (for fire assistance)
ORDINANCES
O-08-40 Mayor Hays

Establishing Job Classifications and Numbers of Employees for each department of the City Government of NLR for the year 2008 (Quota Ordinance)
O-08-41 Alderman Gaines (for consideration only)
Establishing the Maumelle Boulevard Sign Overlay District and amending Ordinance No. 7697, the NLR Zoning Ordinance
PUBLIC COMMENT
Please complete a public comment card and return to City Clerk before speaking

Respectfully submitted, Diane Whitbey, CMC / CAMC - City Clerk and Collector

Friday, May 16, 2008

Remember - Junction Bridge - This Weekend

Junction Bridge Opening and Celebration

Saturday, May 17, 2008, 10:00 a.m.
Ribbon Tying Ceremony - middle of the bridge
For more information, contact Braye Cloud at 501-340-5309
Bring your family and friends and be among the first to walk the historic Junction Bridge and enjoy its views from atop the 360-foot lift span, forty (40) feet above the riverbank.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Our Fourth NLAN Meeting Was A Knockout!

If you have a chance to read this week's edition of 'The North Little Rock Times' you will find front & center on the first page an article by Jeremy Peppas titled: 'Mayor makes pitch to homeowners group', with "the Mayor was there, and so were (Ward 4) Aldermen Murry Witcher & Charlie Hight, with Ward 3 Aldermen Debi Ross & Neil Bryant. "All were gathered at Lakewood Elementary School for the monthly meeting of the Northeast Lakewood Associated Neighborhoods, a relatively recent addition to the North Little Rock scene, and on the agenda was a discussion of the proposed sales tax."

We want to thank Mayor Hays for taking time out of his busy schedule to honor our invitation to come and speak on his proposed additional sales tax issue. Details of his presentation on taxes are covered in the 'Times' article. Additionally he addressed many of our neighborhood issues that were brought up and his comments will be illustrated in our May NLAN Newsletter.

Last Monday's meeting had a very full agenda for NLAN issues, plus we had Aldermen Hight & Witcher joining the Mayor in addressing our questions. If you did not attend this meeting, NLANanders, be sure to try and make our next regularly scheduled meeting in August - we promise to have a humdinger!

Nate Brandes
President - NLAN

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

May Planning Commission Agenda

Administrative: Letter from Arkansas State Highway Commission
Subdivision Administrative:
SPR-2101-08 WNLR Commercial Addition, Lot 3 (Site Plan Review of a Car Wash along Maumelle Blvd west of Walmart)
SPR-2102-08 Northshore Business Park, Lot 9, Block 8 (Site Plan Review for Competitive Cyclist located at 5050 Northshore Lane)
C. NS-2074-07 Eanes Truck Terminal, Lot 1 (Preliminary Plat and Site Plan Review of a truck terminal located at the northeast end of Eanes Road)
D. SPR-2099-08 Clendenins Addition, Lots 2-3, Block 1 (Site Plan Review of condos located at 405 Main Street)
Public Hearing – Old Business:
Public Hearing #1453. To review the Maumelle Blvd Sign Overlay.
Public Hearing – New Business:
Special Use #653. To allow a Day Resource Center for homeless in a R-4 zone that requires a Special Use. The request is located at 1021 East Washington.
Special Use #655. To allow a daycare in a R-3 zone that requires a Special Use. The request is located at 212 East 17th.
Rezone #1458. To rezone from I-2 to C-3 to allow commercial. The request is located at the south end of Richards Road.
Public Hearing #1459. Diamond Annexation Zoning Plan.
Public Comment / Adjournment

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Junction Bridge Opening and Celebration

Junction Bridge Opening and Celebration

Saturday, May 17, 2008, 10:00 a.m.
Ribbon Tying Ceremony - middle of the bridge
For more information, contact Braye Cloud at 501-340-5309

Bring your family and friends and be among the first to walk the historic Junction Bridge and enjoy its views from atop the 360-foot lift span, forty (40) feet above the riverbank.

City Council Agenda - Monday, May 12

COMMUNICATIONS
1. Debi Ross for Russ Atkinson, Petition requesting speed hump on Lakeshore Drive (21 signatures 20 for 1 against).
2. Blanche L. Lincoln, U S Senator letter to Mayor Hays re: NLR Municipal Airport’s funding needs.
3. Sharon Tedford, Mayor’s Office memorandum re: New - Retail Beer Off Premises Permit for Yongs Mart, 1719 Highway 161, by Yong Sik Kim.
4. (Per Wade Dunlap, Planning - the following request is outside North Little Rock city limits and planning jurisdiction 5-6-08)
Sharon Tedford, Mayor’s Office memorandum re: Retail Liquor and Retail Replacement for Louis Wilson from 7413 B Hwy 365, Little Rock for C & C Spirits (fka Sweethome Liquor), 6624 Highway 61, by Billie Jenkins.
PUBLIC HEARING 7:05 p.m.
Please complete a public comment card and return to City Clerk before this meeting convenes
Reconvene re: R-08-22, authorizing a relocation agreement and right-of-way conveyance from the City of NLR to Entergy, AR, Inc. (Smarthouse Way)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
RESOLUTIONS
R-08-22 Mayor Hays
Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a Relocation Agreement and Right-of-way Conveyance from the City of NLR to Entergy AR, Inc. (Smarthouse Way) - (Sixth time on agenda) - Held - Reconvene Public Hearing @ 7:05 p.m .this date
ORDINANCES
O-08-34 Alderman Gaines
Granting a Conditional Use to allow a Self-Serve Ice Machine in a C-3 zone for property located at 3621 Camp Robinson Road (applicant: Bill Looper) - Read 1 time and held
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTIONS

R-08-61 Mayor Hays
Encouraging clean-up and beautification of the Lower Pike Avenue area
R-08-62 Mayor Hays
Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sell a vacant lot located next to 1512 37th Street (to Ron Moore for $1,500.00)
R-08-63 Aldermen Bryant and Ross
Appropriating $30,000.00 from the General Fund for the Code Enforcement Demolition and Debris Removal Program
R-08-64 Mayor Hays
Approving the request of property owner for an extension of time to rehabilitate certain buildings, houses and other structures located at 724 and 726 West 23rd Street, which were previously condemned (owner: Dennis Chudy)
R-08-65 Mayor Hays
Declaring certain buildings, houses and other structures located at 1318 West 13th Street to constitute a public nuisance and condemning the same (owner: Maria C. Torres) - Convene public hearing this date
R-08-66 Mayor Hays
Declaring certain buildings, houses and other structures located at 1602 Locust Street to constitute a public nuisance and condemning the same (owner: Linda Koubek, Buff Properties LMTDPS) - Convene public hearing this date
R-08-67 Mayor Hays
Declaring certain buildings, houses and other structures located at 1716 Chandler to constitute a public nuisance and condemning the same (owner: David R. Edgecombe) - Convene public hearing this date
R-08-68 Mayor Hays
Declaring certain buildings, houses and other structures located at 2101 East 2nd Street to constitute a public nuisance and condemning the same (owners: Randy and Donna Dyer) - Convene public hearing this date
R-08-69 Mayor Hays
Declaring certain buildings, houses and other structures located at 2704 - 2706 Gribble to constitute a public nuisance and condemning the same (owners: Robert J. and Lynda K. Kuta) - Convene public hearing this date
R-08-70 Mayor Hays
Declaring certain buildings, houses and other structures located at 3021 Arkansas Avenue to constitute a public nuisance and condemning the same (owners: Bobby G. and Jennifer Henry) - Convene public hearing this date
R-08-71 Mayor Hays
Declaring certain buildings, houses and other structures located at 4007 Rogers to constitute a public nuisance and condemning the same (owner: Judy Brown, Brown Uplift Group, LLC.) - Convene public hearing this date
R-08-72 Mayor Hays
Appropriating $1,661.00 from Act 833 Funds for Asbestos Removal at the Central Fire Station at 723 Maple Street
R-08-73 Mayor Hays
Appropriating $8,674.00 from Act 833 Funds for the purchase of a Ward “No Smoke” Vehicle Exhaust Removal System for Fire Department Rescue Unit 1
R-08-74 Mayor Hays
Appropriating $18,091.00 from Act 833 Funds for replacement of the Boiler at the Central Fire Station located at 723 Maple Street
ORDINANCES
O-08-38 Mayor Hays
Repealing Ordinance No. 8040 authorizing the Issuance of Electric System Revenue Bonds to Provide Working Capital for the Electric System; Authorizing the Sale of the Bonds; authorizing and prescribing other matters pertaining thereto
O-08-39 Mayor Hays
Authorizing the Issuance of a Promissory Note to Provide Short-Term Financing under Amendment No. 78 to the AR Constitution for Improvements to the NLR Recreational Vehicle Park, providing for the payment of the Principal of and Interest on the note; and prescribing other matters pertaining thereto
PUBLIC COMMENT
Please complete a public comment card and return to City Clerk before speaking
Respectfully submitted, Diane Whitbey, CMC / CAMC, City Clerk and Collector