[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6656159,"mediaKeyId","5338928-01cc00afe85d7e49d1375006d0f72ee6","parentId",5338928,"title","Planned zoning district and conditional use approved to convert former church at 4900 Spradling Ave. into event center","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1926000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5338928-01cc00afe85d7e49d1375006d0f72ee6&start=1926&end=1926","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5338928-01cc00afe85d7e49d1375006d0f72ee6/thumbnail_1926000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6656159/Fort-Smith/Sebastian-County/Arkansas/Planned-zoning-district-and-conditional-use-approved-to-convert-former-church-at-4900-Spradling-Ave-into-event-center","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656159-c97be52586bc57ccc4651ef3d413fd57/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185882&Signature=elw3AYeLZEVwRbdxfk9eV4yGC42HykqJV7thFbs0g06tv0bw31L6umRofZqAcYHcmxDRuyB3emMQE7ENoMC4JAmhDBSNPNqoMcUmeqRmcoHhI7H8OXy8FRZTapa~73p~kn4-W2FHY~dsYbQjVYXn3nL-NTfubGh3TP9A3A5VHBKyQuFXr0khriMa4w7qyWUftkS4IsmsDzjD~mteXTM7ybDYa3YLr8gFYKCXQYlYxPWIM5hC5yMJDa8jT8oOVy7tLXVFpbVAq6Vj8MlS~mF3LiYa4il1r4k1VSr5r9cg5scDlLA1BP-X40k8bM~SzWbVF9ASuVlcjmkk9wh-4EM~dQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fort Smith","date","2025-07-08T17:25:00Z","article","The Fort Smith Planning Commission approved a master land-use plan amendment, a rezoning to a Planned Zoning District (PZD), and a conditional use to allow an event center to operate from the existing church building at 4900 Spradling Avenue.

Planning staff said the applicant seeks to reclassify the property from residential detached (master plan) to mixed-use residential and to rezone from multifamily medium density to a PZD to permit an event center by conditional use. The PZD project booklet limits new exterior building materials, requires monument-style signage, and shows proposed new perimeter landscaping, parking-lot screening, interior landscaping, and a six-foot wood privacy fence on the east and south sides.

Staff recommended approval and recommended conditions including limiting hours of operation to 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and obtaining a temporary revocable license for landscaping along Spradling Avenue before a building permit would be issued. The commission voted to approve the master land-use amendment, the rezoning, and the conditional use; roll-call tallies in the transcript show unanimous approval for all three companion items.

Background and neighborhood engagement: Two neighborhood meetings were held (April 17 and June 25); planning staff said five neighboring property owners attended both meetings and supported the request. The applicant representatives (the Bonillas) were present at the meeting.

Next steps: The rezoning and conditional-use approvals will be forwarded to the Fort Smith Board of Directors for final action as part of the standard review process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fort Smith - Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment - Regular Meeting - Jul 08, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The planning commission approved a master land-use plan amendment, rezoning to a PZD, and a conditional use to allow an event center to operate from the former church at 4900 Spradling Avenue; operating hours and landscaping conditions were included in the approval.","taxTitle","Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas","taxId",3748,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6656163,"Commission grants variances and approves development plan for communication tower at North Sixth Street",509,1354000,1863000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5338928-01cc00afe85d7e49d1375006d0f72ee6&start=1354&end=1863","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5338928-01cc00afe85d7e49d1375006d0f72ee6/thumbnail_1354000.jpg","/articles/6656163/Fort-Smith/Sebastian-County/Arkansas/Commission-grants-variances-and-approves-development-plan-for-communication-tower-at-North-Sixth-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656163-b981565b17ec380ea6324ee1680d4e9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185882&Signature=oqzhBK3eBW3gi9mzB1QRL~pCw0gpMm2i9Fz6q2OQHTLCyH24tOf10PJH01owypbyQb76dsDackD2aO6aqbtgpUZo7GejtQOMzGu85GPZXLmh3ZMgGmMJa-fV67g0E4sELEN2wjWf8YPNwvGnNz6qnv4-kxCsnAKiHO6He8oT0gKSTV6urUYjNr6DMx7QwbmVSfmSJb6umok4P-eEzIZhy-BWntU9m-zlFYd-iXmrWLNigj-1aWNJhIiDCMKLQJHFnjljyWy21zfzkjCVWoNC0Kmoy~PgHNQXw3wmX0I1ctwEEF6FMM0IzaYsvD5wa7ULmBcoXaPDe-Q3B9zng2Ji~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The planning commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment reviewed and approved a set of companion items to permit construction of a commercial communication tower at 4606 North Sixth Street, including variances from perimeter landscaping requirements and from private access-easement dimensions.

Applicant representative Greg Farris requested a variance from the UDO's perimeter landscape requirement, saying the site is largely wooded and that removing existing forest would undermine the UDO's intent to provide screening. Staff recommended approval but added a condition that the existing wooded buffer adjacent to North Sixth Street must remain or the required perimeter landscaping must be installed.

The applicant also sought a subdivision variance from the private access-easement requirements, requesting relief from the maximum length and a narrower roadway width for the access. Staff noted the site would be visited only three to four times per month and said constructing a full-width, paved 24-foot private road would be impractical; staff recommended approval with similar plan-compliance conditions.

The development plan for the tower shows a leased site 60 by 60 feet, an 8-foot chain-link fence around the leased area, a new 30-foot-wide access/utilities easement with a 12-foot-wide gravel road connecting to North Sixth Street, and a private access easement of approximately 685 linear feet. Staff reiterated that construction must comply with the submitted development plan and that the wooded buffer must be preserved or replaced with required landscaping. The BZA/planning commission votes on the items were approved by the body (vote tallies recorded in the meeting transcript as unanimous approvals for the items presented to those bodies).

Next steps: With approvals and conditions in place, the applicant may proceed with permitting and construction subject to compliance with the approved plan and the condition that the wooded buffer remain or landscaping be installed if the buffer is removed.","Planning commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment items to allow a commercial communication tower at 4606 North Sixth Street were approved with conditions requiring the existing wooded buffer remain or perimeter landscaping be installed; variances cover perimeter landscaping and private access-easement width/length limits.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6656164,"Commission approves rezoning, development plan for six duplexes at Stone Ridge with one abstention",229,1098000,1327000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5338928-01cc00afe85d7e49d1375006d0f72ee6&start=1098&end=1327","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5338928-01cc00afe85d7e49d1375006d0f72ee6/thumbnail_1098000.jpg","/articles/6656164/Fort-Smith/Sebastian-County/Arkansas/Commission-approves-rezoning-development-plan-for-six-duplexes-at-Stone-Ridge-with-one-abstention","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656164-7100b138aca9c99faf21d676193eb8ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185882&Signature=cXAz9NZmCSIYJ-02ATWTnTGU3KWJIqGphPGfEqzPqt2ru9Noespnia6lbh4scldvHc26YaKD1TNgTYDK2~VcZCO~a1ruu4XZtPOhwXB3AIM9mA8mj6fxaZABoR8I9nGNUHS9D4eSyp~iaBnXBPc5LeYRpPx084elJfALKPyaa40nSYX1yVNxIIwa2Pj1Qfs6hvyjo03z7zsucpMwdn22PmuB0ZOul-FvU9Ie3Yeqr88jKsouMywPX3AjitCEDBREnK8lTtrFCZ6tqvWiI9-0dRjE9cHQXGWGc5VUCTtWHswxa~Ea2iFJOsRhPPmnnZ-KPQ-QGwqWmnrUwWhelmN~2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fort Smith Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a rezoning and to approve a development plan that would allow construction of six duplexes on Lots 14 through 19 in the Stone Ridge subdivision (addresses on Preston Court).

Staff said the rezoning request would convert the lots from single-family high-density to duplex high-density and that the Chaffee Crossing future land-use plan must be amended by the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority (FCRA) before the rezoning becomes final. \"Should the Planning Commission recommend approval of the subject zoning, the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority Board of Trustees must approve a proposed Chaffee Crossing future land use plan amendment prior to the rezoning hearing by the Fort Smith Board of Directors,\" planning staff said.

The commission approved the rezoning recommendation and the development plan; the roll call showed seven yes votes and one abstention. Commissioner Coleman recorded the lone abstention on the rezoning; the development-plan vote likewise recorded seven yes, one abstention.

Commissioners asked about timing and sequence of reviews and whether requiring FCRA approval before commission review would save time. Staff and the chair explained the schedule had fallen to align differently this month and that in some cases FCRA acts first, in others not. Staff noted it was on the FCRA agenda in the coming weeks and that the rezoning ordinance would be contingent on FCRA approval of the land-use plan amendment.

Sidewalks and other site details: Staff confirmed driveways will access Preston Court and that existing landscaping adjacent to Chad Holly Boulevard exceeds UDO requirements. Commissioners and staff discussed sidewalk requirements; staff indicated sidewalks would be installed as required by Chaffee Crossing standards (one side required by the development standards for some lots). Staff recommended approval contingent on FCRA action and compliance with parking and submitted development plans.

Next steps: The rezoning recommendation and development plan will move forward to the Fort Smith Board of Directors, contingent upon FCRA approval of the Chaffee Crossing future land-use amendment.","The planning commission recommended rezoning six lots on Preston Court to allow construction of six duplexes, approving the companion development plan 7-0 with one abstention; the rezoning is contingent on a Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority land-use plan amendment.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6656169,"Planning commission approves PZD and conditional use for Riverview Hope Campus pavilion",344,568000,912000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5338928-01cc00afe85d7e49d1375006d0f72ee6&start=568&end=912","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5338928-01cc00afe85d7e49d1375006d0f72ee6/thumbnail_568000.jpg","/articles/6656169/Fort-Smith/Sebastian-County/Arkansas/Planning-commission-approves-PZD-and-conditional-use-for-Riverview-Hope-Campus-pavilion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656169-6b3144c787cd95d0286163ca85ec6f61/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185882&Signature=CrKOVT8CqLWk1kp~7NALBy5mEmzW4ViUaH3AtNRU~1m6A1bUi4xvblGgYLdZMOGaYlD~EP4bh5Ls11GAL3yB9kEFu8La8Xx4SIh4hHnkA1nOM98-kcmWZmUt5dOiq~V-taDdASwBFTJ8TXLRcOKhLi~zTnbZlJwMdXgjxhGJSQU7Ml~VFjC3er-rXXqcKe8kYcYe2RjZXzWKAmQRVovEU~V9v2bASbBUWufbUhgpLSyEcsRILN8JX6JtnABOGVdz-0qQRCWCwQbPWwbqbc4pkbmxDBggYN384QiD3wNTCw~IRnlY2pjrvsWf3l21bPWhGZ8aKtgIdj27cCg834fz-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fort Smith Planning Commission approved a planned zoning district (PZD) and a companion conditional use permit to allow Riverview Hope Campus to add a 1,625-square-foot pavilion on the east side of its property at 301 Southeast Street.

Planning staff described the rezoning request as creating two new land uses in the PZD: \"homeless shelter indoor expansions\" (permitted by right in the PZD) and \"homeless shelter exterior modifications,\" which require conditional use approval. The pavilion is described in the submitted materials as a roof-only structure with no walls, approximately 20 feet tall, and 1,625 square feet in area; the plan also proposes a wood picket fence on the southeast and north sides of the pavilion.

Tyler Kaelin, planning staff, said the pavilion is intended to provide shelter from inclement weather and shade for unsheltered individuals. \"The pavilion will not have any walls, it will have a roof only,\" Kaelin said during his presentation.

Staff recommended approval of the rezoning and conditional use subject to compliance with the submitted development plan and with the UDO's change/amendment provisions. The commission voted 8-0 to approve both the rezoning and the conditional use.

Background: The planning commission previously approved conditional uses for the Riverview Hope Campus site in 2015 and 2021 for interior expansions. A neighborhood meeting was held June 25; no neighboring property owners attended the meeting, according to staff.

Next steps: The approved PZD and conditional use will be forwarded to the Fort Smith Board of Directors for final action as part of the city's review process.","The commission approved a planned zoning district and a conditional use permit allowing Riverview Hope Campus to add a 1,625-square-foot roofed pavilion to its site at 301 Southeast Street; staff recommended approval with construction to follow the submitted development plan.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_46":116,"_48":117,"_50":118,"_52":119,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":120,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":121,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6656171,"Fort Smith planning commission adopts UDO amendments to comply with Arkansas Act 314",118,470000,588000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5338928-01cc00afe85d7e49d1375006d0f72ee6&start=470&end=588","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5338928-01cc00afe85d7e49d1375006d0f72ee6/thumbnail_470000.jpg","/articles/6656171/Fort-Smith/Sebastian-County/Arkansas/Fort-Smith-planning-commission-adopts-UDO-amendments-to-comply-with-Arkansas-Act-314","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656171-324266cbafc52d6fcea58c8c3e9e9821/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185882&Signature=aTBTxuwkq~~L-35EgLmQ1bFRxUGd9SMRW7-Mhk0xAjUmJDLaxZmNJgQ1GIxlAddTI52EZXCaErSOddJ5dCP~3XkzBUB9u5lJrpdMTegyWz9QjXe2yweQCsMuDiDm6m5fCvQg~VfeClbASJk67HUZ6QDikbj3Oqd515R-4i7l-Zuiz4qYzSWzdqZtfISJdO2DvFKBHuhuRLNtDUd2EI1BCRq6kRQ22uQEx3wQetPsoVjeNDrqDWuoGrfvc5C60TPYF3l92Ae7aWrEDC01MGiGBCj8w3JqN3qjrmY-N930lSyseuusIrBU07P-Y8fzs67YlZovhPIOmVevOPU-oXbmtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fort Smith Planning Commission voted 8-0 to approve amendments to the city's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) so it conforms to Arkansas Act 314, which abolishes extraterritorial jurisdiction and planning areas across the state.

Planning staff told commissioners the changes are meant to align local code with state law ahead of the statute's effective date in August. \"The UDO amendments this month are effectively making the UDO in compliance with Act 314,\" planning staff said, adding that whether or not the amendments are adopted locally, the state law would abolish the extraterritorial jurisdiction regardless.

The commission's approval was unanimous; the item will be presented to the Fort Smith Board of Directors at its regular meeting on Aug. 5 for final action. Planning staff reminded commissioners that master plan amendments and rezonings requiring five yes votes at the commission will also go to the Board of Directors for review.

Planning staff did not identify any outstanding conditions tied to the amendment vote. The action was presented as a clean-up to align local processes with the new state law rather than as a policy change to local permitting or development standards.

What happens next: The Board of Directors will review the amendments at a study session and at the Aug. 5 regular meeting. If the board approves, the city's UDO will reflect the state-mandated change to extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Speakers in the meeting who discussed the UDO amendments included Tyler Kaelin, planning staff, and members of the commission who participated in the roll-call vote.","The Fort Smith Planning Commission voted unanimously to amend the city's Unified Development Ordinance to comply with Arkansas Act 314, which abolishes extraterritorial jurisdiction and planning areas statewide; amendments will be sent to the Fort Smith Board of Directors for final review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planned zoning district and conditional use approved to convert former church at 4900 Spradling Ave. into event center

Commission grants variances and approves development plan for communication tower at North Sixth Street

Commission approves rezoning, development plan for six duplexes at Stone Ridge with one abstention

Planning commission approves PZD and conditional use for Riverview Hope Campus pavilion

Fort Smith planning commission adopts UDO amendments to comply with Arkansas Act 314