Residents of Walton Heights voiced strong opposition to the operation of a group home during a recent Little Rock Planning Commission meeting, raising concerns about public safety, health, and welfare. The meeting was marked by emotional testimonies from community members who detailed a series of troubling incidents linked to the home, which is operated by Arkansas Enterprises for the Developmentally Disabled (AEDD).

Quang Nguyen, representing the Walton Heights Homeowners Association, highlighted a lack of communication from AEDD regarding the home's operations. He reported that residents were unaware of the facility's presence until a notice was posted on the door of the newly acquired property. Nguyen described a series of negative events, including frequent police and ambulance calls, unsupervised residents wandering the neighborhood, and issues with caretakers not adhering to municipal parking regulations.

Alexander Hronas, a local firefighter, recounted a personal experience where he had to intervene when a resident attempted to enter his home unaccompanied. He expressed concern for the safety of both the residents and the surrounding community, stating that the situation was untenable and that he felt responsible for the safety of his neighbors.

Other residents echoed these sentiments, citing overcrowded parking conditions and the potential for emergency vehicles to be obstructed. Jason Burke and Carla Smith raised concerns about the lack of supervision for residents, which they believed posed risks not only to the individuals living in the group home but also to bystanders.

The commission was reminded of the legal framework surrounding such facilities, with the chair emphasizing that applications cannot be denied based solely on community opposition, as per legal opinions from the city attorney. However, the testimonies presented painted a picture of a community struggling to reconcile the presence of the group home with their expectations of safety and quality of life.

As the meeting progressed, the planning commission members were urged to consider the residents' concerns seriously, with calls for a reevaluation of the group's operations in Walton Heights. The outcome of the meeting remains to be seen, but the community's outcry reflects a significant tension between the needs of vulnerable populations and the rights of established neighborhoods.