[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6068664,"mediaKeyId","3090884-cf6b83616607426716582b8ce98d4ff5","parentId",3090884,"title","Council adopts EV‑parking code and grants private club permit to Favi's on Front Street","audioSeconds",200,"startMs",1854000,"endMs",2054000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3090884-cf6b83616607426716582b8ce98d4ff5&start=1854&end=2054","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3090884-cf6b83616607426716582b8ce98d4ff5/thumbnail_1854000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6068664/Conway-City/Faulkner-County/Arkansas/Council-adopts-EVparking-code-and-grants-private-club-permit-to-Favis-on-Front-Street","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6068664-e0abe5e80f957b07ad1588d1713c3163/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448475&Signature=UTTaHMQ6Mi7XtXFzLPp17YvtEzE0cGxs4y~5zbVVEjAtxQrRV3u8a~s16fIU6mG1tYm63YTMW-t9xN8EFQiLmdq~1Z63EYG9D7ldcjT8r-cIpnUEJf3LKXucZxrHQoO35hLiQammivI4skALM8hDk1~ogZHnUX~X0Qfmk6oe825Ynvl81qfpRie-HD3jRiY6rW9Xu4Pf4Yev5U2M05zQKigq5qqqEZgyaeeicaAX1nuceKnGfD-PjvCVDxlbJovRC9DZY7gZv36LcU7-GkoQbP~Y2sASE7j32-4AomreQDojkNPdFhQjUT2NQXkQcLbc871ErGh4lkj~hnZQjErPFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Conway, AR","date","2025-04-10T20:11:30Z","article","The Conway City Council unanimously approved two community‑development ordinances: O25‑35, which updates the municipal parking code to recognize EV charging stations as designated electric vehicle parking, and O25‑36, which grants a private club permit to GFH Corporation doing business as Favi’s Mexican and Italian restaurant at 1023 Front Street. Both ordinances passed 8‑0.

Felicia Rogers, community development staff, explained the EV change was prompted by Conway Corporation’s installation of two EV charging stations at Front Street; the ordinance adds EV charging spots to the parking code so the city can enforce use for charging vehicles only. Rogers confirmed charging is paid by the user and the code defines EV parking as a plugged‑in vehicle; a vehicle simply parked but not plugged in does not meet the definition.

On the private club permit, applicant Gracie Reyes stated her name and address for the record and the council recorded the permit approval. Council members welcomed the restaurant and noted the convenience of having Mexican and Italian options in the same location.

Votes: O25‑35 — approved 8‑0. O25‑36 — approved 8‑0.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 22 2025 - City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved ordinance O25‑35 to add EV charging stations to the parking code (paid charging, must be plugged in to count as EV parking) and ordinance O25‑36 granting a private club permit to GFH Corporation (Favi's Mexican & Italian) at 1023 Front Street. Both passed 8‑0.","taxTitle","Conway City, Faulkner County, Arkansas","taxId",3550,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6068669,"Conway accepts $20,000 Best Friends award to expand cat lifesaving and TNVR efforts",159,3920000,4079000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3090884-cf6b83616607426716582b8ce98d4ff5&start=3920&end=4079","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3090884-cf6b83616607426716582b8ce98d4ff5/thumbnail_3920000.jpg","/articles/6068669/Conway-City/Faulkner-County/Arkansas/Conway-accepts-20000-Best-Friends-award-to-expand-cat-lifesaving-and-TNVR-efforts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6068669-c508c7a2ca7a4320266525e8c1d04341/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448475&Signature=RmR3P~ZMnuUWA6sNlMlSZQS7W1i4-zP3fkv0FJGX~ZF2vByDA0JETPBW5sdI8-GcMPLr80ak6zTu-3XgSSGpdasjeDRDkgyiUUGID8zQkMavHuRVTm28Y~cORYZ~iyivNOBm3hPGSzLGdFV5Bcc7byGxTr8vrsgF1pZT6BEy1OtfLz1JUDzm0TQz8nUiifL8lI2zkrXpyqAhzLf40Ows6fh7nzf4UyLRgyUQcNlxemx-mA8sUAiqprUKhK-xWXKVKcS6ocQWQPN-uDT8WRRs~PL4msejI6nHZcL5CLs9qSWfQGD9dY19Qjo0RlgIEJjpIlqlYFL9s8BnBmoQNfbWCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Conway City Council approved resolution R25‑11 to enter into an agreement with Best Friends Animal Society and accept a $20,000 grant to expand cat lifesaving programs, including a Trap‑Neuter‑Vaccinate‑Return (TNVR) initiative. Public Works and animal services staff said the funds will support spay/neuter and vaccination efforts aimed at reducing unowned cat populations and improving live‑outcome rates.

David Mitchell, identified in the meeting as Conway Animal Services leadership, told the council the shelter currently reports a 96.9 percent live outcome rate for animals and that the grant will help target uncontrolled cat colonies in certain mobile home parks where staff estimate hundreds of free‑roaming cats. Mitchell and Public Works staff said the TNVR program reduces mating‑related noise and disease transmission and lowers the annual number of kittens born into unmanaged colonies.

Staff named local partners that assist in adoptions and outreach, including Gibson’s Cat Café and PetSmart/Petco adoption programs. Council members praised the work and approved acceptance of the funds so staff can begin program activities. The resolution passed; the meeting record did not show a detailed roll‑call tally in the transcript excerpt but staff stated the council approved the funding and would begin implementation.

Implementation details in the presentation include trapping cats from identified colonies, providing spay/neuter and vaccinations, returning sterilized cats to their capture location when appropriate, and partnering with adoption organizations to increase live outcomes. Staff said two cats were euthanized earlier in the year because they were injured beyond humane treatment; otherwise the shelter has focused on live outcome strategies.","The council approved resolution R25‑11 to accept $20,000 from Best Friends Animal Society to fund a Conway Cat Lifesaving Sustainability Grant, enabling expanded trap‑neuter‑vaccinate‑return (TNVR) activity and other cat adoption initiatives.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6068674,"Conway council repeals controversial natural‑landscaping ordinance; plans public rewrite",1239,4300000,5539000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3090884-cf6b83616607426716582b8ce98d4ff5&start=4300&end=5539","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3090884-cf6b83616607426716582b8ce98d4ff5/thumbnail_4300000.jpg","/articles/6068674/Conway-City/Faulkner-County/Arkansas/Conway-council-repeals-controversial-naturallandscaping-ordinance-plans-public-rewrite","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6068674-1a23e72d39e4e627fe5b43c5c40f0864/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448475&Signature=QmHcKI~sAVXEwcNLnJG53R0LkgjXzSCVcU6MYYSuVvgQ6WmJ8RnfZAKKrNME4xLVYZtADVXSgCLSQvEXmD4U6IzswR47ZJMBTtxprKEE7nnkYtV6ESrzRqXwQpPouEducZfijHhGLO23CAw8VUTcq3ZnRSCyRtXpezEhsdbG724oSOF4WQVckzLU2vpcq~crGKjeAQ0i8YJgQZBD~X9-8xqOryOK54lMWvKoIrqyhIqSz0J4xkHgDFKpINEBi922A8etGD~hjyeW1eo5CG1sex0o7WZV39N3o62LhSgYuCy6tl~L-jHzbUJlMwUM3eXew1wBxNJrW6oXW2GgpSyGqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Conway City Council voted 7‑1 to repeal ordinance O25‑06 and directed staff to redraft a natural‑landscaping policy with broader public input. The repeal (O25‑40) carried an emergency clause by the same 7‑1 margin; Mister Grimes was recorded as the lone No vote.

Public Works and code staff said the original ordinance was intended to create a voluntary pathway for residents to designate portions of their property as “natural” or wildflower areas while preserving safety and neighbor protections. The proposal would have allowed a limited percentage of a front or back yard to be designated as a natural area (the packet referenced 10% front / 25% back), required a border treatment (timbers, rock or edging), and included a $35 administrative fee payable to the tree board to support outreach.

Mister Clausen (Public Works) and other staff framed the measure as deregulatory for citizens who want to encourage biodiversity, pollinators and stormwater benefits, and said the ordinance included guardrails such as a five‑foot setback from fences and attention to fire‑safety concerns. Clausen said staff had chosen a permissive approach to let citizens participate without the expense of professional planting plans, and that the intent was not to create additional enforcement burdens.

Council members asked for more public engagement and expert input. Councilmember Drew (spoken in meeting as the councilmember supporting public process) and other members said they supported the policy’s intent but wanted clearer definitions, enforcement guidance and an outreach process that includes master gardeners and the county extension office before adopting a final ordinance. Planning and public works staff agreed to withdraw O25‑06, accept the repeal, and return with a revised proposal following public input and technical review.

The repeal does not change the existing city code limiting grass and weeds to an 8‑inch maximum in zoning areas (Section 3.2.4); staff said they had not been issuing certificates under the disputed ordinance and that the goal is a transparent process to replace it with a refined program.

Vote: Ordinance O25‑40 (repeal O25‑06) — passed 7‑1. Emergency clause — passed 7‑1.","After public questions about outreach and enforceability, the council voted 7‑1 to repeal ordinance O25‑06 via O25‑40 (emergency clause also approved). Staff will reopen the proposal for public input and redesign with master gardeners and the extension office.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6068679,"Council annexes and rezones nearly 396 acres near Lolly Road; residents press city for noise and wildlife studies",1902,2077000,3979000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3090884-cf6b83616607426716582b8ce98d4ff5&start=2077&end=3979","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3090884-cf6b83616607426716582b8ce98d4ff5/thumbnail_2077000.jpg","/articles/6068679/Conway-City/Faulkner-County/Arkansas/Council-annexes-and-rezones-nearly-396-acres-near-Lolly-Road-residents-press-city-for-noise-and-wildlife-studies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6068679-a26259554f350caeff5a51d2f9fba225/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448475&Signature=o7jKkQlYUvX8kNFD4RK6ULYRolNIl45dnO7MZxcPlchKVEqBY7z~ydXP8v7cIM~bbwk1kGisirAHLCdFY8cZ1V6D-jQagrjFf1OKtHiF-V2oj3BJSOVsINU93bm5davW8o5QcWdKjvSTlLDpE5qOLQ4zW0x4N98yTjbRjyX1xto1QTt3RGNva2n1ruFJ8GtxFl4A6KlqXoBk05gfepQYGVvNeGJ2ZqahEulnEgaGN-VKOxb6RaPwQnX~O9BgUf7tFfgMIJE3Lk2tMxls76IZAz77SqO1MIKtJn9yUyeAQY-O1U1X~5RQIMJZD85bJkG4btenHlSvjGC1hp0NDDXULQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Conway City Council approved three related land‑use measures that collectively annexed and rezoned property east of Lolly Road for industrial development, clearing a procedural step that could enable a large private data center project to move forward. Ordinances O25‑37 (annex ~296.21 acres), O25‑38 (annex ~39.5 acres) and O25‑39 (rezoning of ~160 acres from A‑1 to I‑3) passed by roll call, each 8‑0.

Planning staff presented the annexations and rezoning as routine steps to bring contiguous land into the city so that development would be regulated under Conway codes, including the city’s data‑center ordinance (23‑55). Miss Tucker, planning staff, and Jamie Gates, who attended from planning, said annexation allows access to city services and ensures that future site planning, setbacks, drainage, fire and transportation reviews will apply before building permits are issued.

Several residents spoke during public comment. Alan Rice read a statement written by his son, Jeremy Rice, who lives at 1350 Lolly Road and said his property directly adjoins the proposed site. The Rice statement opposed rezoning and asked the council to pause until more information is available. Primary concerns included constant noise from backup generators at data centers, monthly generator testing, potential health and traffic impacts, and the proximity of a bald eagle nest that residents said could be disturbed by construction and operations. The resident asked the city to arrange visits to comparable facilities so neighbors could evaluate noise levels.

Planning staff and council members responded that annexation and rezoning itself do not approve any specific project; rather, those approvals place prospective development under city jurisdiction and the data‑center ordinance, which requires baseline noise measurement and other controls. Staff said the site still must pass a site‑plan review process that includes drainage, transportation and fire review and that substantial engineering and design work would be required before any building permit is issued. Staff noted the parcel includes significant floodway and floodplain areas, reducing developable acreage and providing potential buffers between facilities and neighboring homes.

Council members asked whether, if property remained unincorporated, a data center could still locate there; staff said it could but that annexation gives the city authority to require compliance with local standards. Council and staff also committed to keep lines of communication open with nearby homeowners as the project moves from annexation to site plan review.

Votes: Ordinance O25‑37 (annex ~296.21 acres) — approved 8‑0. Ordinance O25‑38 (annex ~39.5 acres) — approved 8‑0. Ordinance O25‑39 (rezoning to I‑3) — approved 8‑0. Councilmembers recorded voting in the affirmative included Mister Grimes; Mister Spergers; Mister Jones; Mister Hawkins; Mister Hawks; Mister Ledbetter; Miss Mel; and Miss Isby.

The approvals were procedural; no construction permits or site plans were approved at the meeting. Staff said they would return to the council with site‑specific plans and that neighbors would be involved in the review process.","Council approved annexation of about 296 acres and 39.5 acres and rezoned 160 acres to I‑3 zoning (ordinances O25‑37, O25‑38 and O25‑39). Residents raised concerns about noise from data centers, impacts to a bald eagle nest, and asked for site visits and impact studies.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6068684,"Conway council approves ordinance to consolidate development rights at White Bluff; generators to run on natural gas",435,1418000,1853000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3090884-cf6b83616607426716582b8ce98d4ff5&start=1418&end=1853","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3090884-cf6b83616607426716582b8ce98d4ff5/thumbnail_1418000.jpg","/articles/6068684/Conway-City/Faulkner-County/Arkansas/Conway-council-approves-ordinance-to-consolidate-development-rights-at-White-Bluff-generators-to-run-on-natural-gas","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6068684-d37441f6f7fe7e4f1416af44d0f179c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448475&Signature=DH3pr32JmZ8eLCG8NO7ns6PR61njKswqRaJ9axLOeaPW9N6u2FsJfsat0VEBcAHyM-Y6n712yHYhnP9odFaSigaVXZEOZzfkR9MFGxcFD~XSMX14xnh8BunJSIhyFPv3p4lQ8XkxgusGBU2qvA2wXW44-e8SzCW-Aqd-13y3ZzTTppeAMRXg0NIQe4CLRQcVmHpaJsQPPq9cmLZmI7IrbKCd9vjsVm~b-j8JhT7mr5hddAHQEnZtjjVWPPyi6LXwNg~8yw0pNw4fBaYIb0h0XUMBLfPyxLWA86iKJShN21plK6-WMHeytyxvsHj0viY-0oTYLBHg9j9UbBL3SbOqHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Conway City Council on Monday approved ordinance O25-34, authorizing the city to execute several agreements related to its ownership interest in the White Bluff Steam Electric Station and related interconnection rights. The ordinance passed 8-0 with an emergency clause.

The ordinance moves Conway and its co‑owners to consolidate interconnection and development rights as White Bluff and the Independence plant transition off coal, and to centralize development rights with Entergy. Brad Carroll, staff member, told the council the resulting replacement generation at those sites would be natural‑gas powered and that joint development provides economies of scale for large base‑load projects.

This matters because both plants are scheduled to cease burning coal—White Bluff in 2028 and Independence in 2030—under terms referenced by Carroll. He said Conway’s ownership interest dates to agreements in the late 1970s and includes interconnection rights that allow co‑owners to build replacement generation at the existing sites, a regulatory and economic advantage over seeking new interconnection at another location.

Carroll said the recommended package of documents followed work with other municipal co‑owners and Arkansas Electric Cooperatives and that the Common Co‑owners board approved the recommendation unanimously earlier the same day. He acknowledged a typographical error in the original packet that listed Conway’s ownership as 1%; the correct interest is 2% and the transcript record was corrected in the meeting.

Council members did not debate the policy in depth during the meeting but voiced support after Carroll’s presentation. Jason Carter, identified at the meeting as the city’s outside attorney, was acknowledged for helping negotiate the documents. Carroll said the consolidated approach reduces the time, cost and uncertainty of interconnecting new generators at a new site and preserves the option to replace retiring coal‑fired capacity with dispatchable, joint base‑load generation.

The ordinance carries an emergency clause and passed by roll call without opposition. Council members voting in the affirmative included Miss Mel; Mister Jones; Mister Hawks; Mister Grimes; Mister Ledbetter; Mister Spergers; Mister Hawkins; and Miss Isby.

Council materials show the consolidation is intended to preserve low‑cost, reliable generation options for the municipal owners as the plants retire from coal. Carroll said the city began focused work on replacement options in 2021 and thanked internal staff Bill Bethea and Aaron Brown and outside counsel Jason Carter for their work.","The council unanimously approved ordinance O25-34, authorizing documents to consolidate interconnection/development rights tied to Conway's ownership interest in White Bluff and Independence power stations as the plants retire from coal.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adopts EV‑parking code and grants private club permit to Favi's on Front Street

Conway accepts $20,000 Best Friends award to expand cat lifesaving and TNVR efforts

Conway council repeals controversial natural‑landscaping ordinance; plans public rewrite

Council annexes and rezones nearly 396 acres near Lolly Road; residents press city for noise and wildlife studies

Conway council approves ordinance to consolidate development rights at White Bluff; generators to run on natural gas