[{"_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",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_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",6503324,"mediaKeyId","5573852-5954f0f7875582d78f6d92bd23326bf3","parentId",5573852,"title","Commission approves fee‑in‑lieu for sidewalk at 903 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard","audioSeconds",92,"startMs",144000,"endMs",236000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5573852-5954f0f7875582d78f6d92bd23326bf3&start=144&end=236","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5573852-5954f0f7875582d78f6d92bd23326bf3/thumbnail_144000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6503324/Jonesboro/Craighead-County/Arkansas/Commission-approves-feeinlieu-for-sidewalk-at-903-Martin-Luther-King-Jr-Boulevard","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503324-fa07753acc5e920b0b87981c2e52e37c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136974&Signature=Ml6TYpa~HngSMD1rqHovNDqycI3Bdi0JUpBPpmac9tc50g7~2XSLGP6G5R3KYfMBlV3g4SWzncrvNtbkJk1kd25dII6D0F-GAeRiEbhd5ZvykgqUjnPG3rUQ7pm4aGvCDLM8w1qeHdy-ndg6NVQhhekzeuK0cAVzLBn0Q-tAIU~~CLv9r0vw0i36Y96PTstnWHOvSldJILg8Of0d73bxurGONQneMfyLwqBI~~Pa6pBYCvCZdYPQ9GIkYscjlKk2Y8fPoRW-IkOf7gqOJYJXTNA9G5GZ6xaEctMZl45Us4yCxotXwnhQ35O6awWzGEb164Tdb34ksv~vvhgNuRSZAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Jonesboro","date","2025-08-12T00:00:00Z","article","The Metropolitan Area Planning Commission approved a fee‑in‑lieu request for sidewalks at 903 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on May 12 after the project proponent said the Arkansas Department of Transportation will install sidewalks as part of a scheduled roadway widening.

John Easley of Associate Engineering spoke for the property owners and said ARDOT's planned widening of MLK Boulevard includes sidewalks, which makes a developer‑installed sidewalk redundant. \"ARDOT is widening MLK Boulevard, and they have planned to install sidewalks,\" Easley said. City planning staff confirmed their review and recommended approval of the fee‑in‑lieu instead of requiring the property owner to construct separate sidewalks.

A motion and second were called; the chair asked commissioners to cast ballots, and the chair announced the motion passed. Commissioners clarified the action is an in‑lieu fee (not a waiver) and that required site details such as square footage will be confirmed at the site‑plan or permitting stage.

Why it matters: Fee‑in‑lieu decisions determine whether property owners will construct sidewalks on site or pay a fee that the city can use to provide pedestrian improvements elsewhere. In this case, ARDOT's planned work covered the sidewalk need according to the proponents and staff.

What’s next: Staff will document the fee and ensure conditions are met before final approvals for any redevelopment on the property.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Jonesboro - Metropolitan Area Planning Commission on 2025-08-12 5:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved a fee‑in‑lieu request for sidewalks at 903 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard after the proponent said the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) will install sidewalks as part of a roadway widening.","taxTitle","Jonesboro, Craighead County, Arkansas","taxId",3532,"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},6503332,"Commission recommends pattern‑book change to allow grocery on planned development tract; rezoning gets favorable recommendation",273,4251000,4524000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5573852-5954f0f7875582d78f6d92bd23326bf3&start=4251&end=4524","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5573852-5954f0f7875582d78f6d92bd23326bf3/thumbnail_4251000.jpg","/articles/6503332/Jonesboro/Craighead-County/Arkansas/Commission-recommends-patternbook-change-to-allow-grocery-on-planned-development-tract-rezoning-gets-favorable-recommendation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503332-8b9944bca4b32fd461928aa246a45960/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136974&Signature=QLGniU-ToTU8jt5P3UJQ1QVzhQ7B-NW9eRp7HHsSMqcmewj~jOvzuCTOqyc1DhYx9h9MdxKiBadBOYbgKLO7gKc5o-HhIoZLc0NcBSXnmIFthxbxv4UgaFQwLJDlP03se7E7f3NlO1-3E~0uHGXbF6KObRPTnPVQBUGCI6-jtupVoaCLHbw2RMp155fv9A2t31qoEniMvp-mz1opjHtbnYfkGRbmIp4uZslJ9iWCqj0PZEeN7gGBAGvarX6WWGw7ONxld9VKax-2OZzEn9yyjyHK13U3TIf6B9MFEIzq7qlP-5HIcEHbzS-ySJ86Nz-mgoOPoSFuQR3EJl9yRNwAEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carol Caldwell presented a request to amend the pattern book for a master planned development so a small portion of a larger tract can change from multifamily (RM‑16) to commercial to accommodate a grocery store site. The metropolitan board recommended the change and forwarded it with a favorable recommendation to the City Council.

Caldwell said the larger development is roughly 145 acres and that a three‑lane collector will soon be completed to improve access. She asked the commission to rezone a specific half‑acre lot inside the pattern book change so a grocery operator can pursue a store site. \"I've been trying to get a grocery store out there for 3 years,\" Caldwell said.

City planning staff reviewed the pattern‑book amendment and recommended approval with standard stipulations: compliance with city engineering, stormwater/detention and floodplain rules; submission and staff review of a final site plan before redevelopment; and future change‑of‑use approvals subject to Planning Department review. Commissioners moved and seconded the recommendation; the chair announced the measure received a favorable recommendation to the City Council.

Why it matters: A grocery store could affect local access to food and nearby traffic patterns; the decision does not authorize construction, but it clears a zoning step so a site plan can be prepared and submitted for city review.

What’s next: The applicant will prepare a final site plan; staff indicated a site plan could be reviewed in approximately 90 days and the matter will also appear on a City Council agenda for final action.","The commission recommended changing the pattern book designation inside a larger planned development so a half‑acre parcel can be rezoned from residential to commercial for a prospective grocery store; staff recommended approval with standard engineering and drainage conditions.",{"_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},6503336,"Commission grants preliminary plat approval for Sarah's Crossing Phase 4 — 54 lots on 15 acres",97,1901000,1998000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5573852-5954f0f7875582d78f6d92bd23326bf3&start=1901&end=1998","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5573852-5954f0f7875582d78f6d92bd23326bf3/thumbnail_1901000.jpg","/articles/6503336/Jonesboro/Craighead-County/Arkansas/Commission-grants-preliminary-plat-approval-for-Sarahs-Crossing-Phase-4-54-lots-on-15-acres","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503336-5e85f3451c33a4eb78c17745520aa160/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136974&Signature=D7Z23l0-DPSR2ZDDFj54ykVnNuSW7JO1zsOr4xjo701hxBuFBxjlDzmGafNoAbYuo~TRWRSbSxsmnqM~8PZu5I8CMz6dYBWZxfb1TDSFNrUOKH~zS-Zx5ceIlpJtr~7G8yg2NUMS-S0TqJi15LXE5Q4hKsaKzWO4JazHVUw4sIPfDJ1mAiW1XXSWCK8XOdG1muQfzccdVdpEKjuiiwIcEedaiIKOlVIoS6Ppjz5b4JI8pWUGwMHJSc5iYjtXlbTugcF6ReaZv4AE1-f31GL-ssIJU8nilv55HKkLhsZn~mbaCcNH87KRBWO3LmqcvxFGiBdi8s3LUV1TEAP~ExGBhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mark Morris, owner of Sarah's Crossing Subdivision, asked the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission for preliminary approval of Phase 4 — 54 lots on about 15 acres — and planning staff recommended approval at the May 12 meeting.

Morris told the commission the phase will connect the existing Sarah's Crossing streets to Maple Valley to the east and that this is the subdivision's final phase. City planning staff reviewed the plat and reported it meets subdivision code requirements and recommended approval.

A commissioner moved to approve and another commissioner seconded; the chair called for ballots and announced the motion passed. The planning staff noted that final site plan review and any required engineering or drainage work will be addressed in subsequent steps prior to construction.

Why it matters: The approval clears preliminary entitlements for home construction and street connections in an established subdivision; developers must still submit final plats, engineering and any required infrastructure upgrades before lots can be recorded and built.

What’s next: Submit final plat and engineering documents for staff review and approval prior to issuance of permits.","Owner Mark Morris received preliminary approval for the final phase of Sarah's Crossing: a 54‑lot subdivision on roughly 15 acres connecting to Maple Valley; planning staff recommended approval.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":92,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6503340,"Applicants withdraw rezoning request at 2106 Bridger Road after heavy neighborhood opposition",2313,4311000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5573852-5954f0f7875582d78f6d92bd23326bf3&start=1998&end=4311","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5573852-5954f0f7875582d78f6d92bd23326bf3/thumbnail_1998000.jpg","/articles/6503340/Jonesboro/Craighead-County/Arkansas/Applicants-withdraw-rezoning-request-at-2106-Bridger-Road-after-heavy-neighborhood-opposition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503340-be04f043e24347ceb45c2c91e0ca872d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136974&Signature=ctD2gibN7StHPmA6W1L9nYMBtBoOezr2Odmaba5Dy8zJ4kKOHr7LZuAleabABZofTsNDCkZsi5A4IfqYX3DG9ZHX--lOFyrBjl5x8FxD8qpEwwg2GBT-ALGcsrIIIdlAcdFt8kCpeFeJzvR8yedNrZIMNxxA79giAUSiF6q7eFRqeFzo9aEoNeq~W48IHOkmE4vGCV~3EZOufzN8ulSneA0X5736UadpGZaBm~OCKayS-PSjP0VopRRJOn2YVfKKdlYR5Buk9BW5skZ2CCpV2qMJ-mzBQwxzfTp-cJJTYix4j6m2iI7SiYqLENoCCq119HssshkniNb7J8QvXHyFAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Metropolitan Area Planning Commission heard extensive neighborhood opposition on a request to rezone about 6.79 acres at 2106 Bridger Road on May 12; the applicant then requested withdrawal of the application rather than seek immediate approval.

David Baker of Fisher & Arnold presented the rezoning petition and said the applicants view the area as suitable for higher‑intensity residential development, citing nearby higher‑density uses and the comprehensive land‑use plan. Baker acknowledged that infrastructure and traffic impacts would be addressed in later design stages: \"Part of that will be a traffic impact study... that is at the developer's expense.\"

Neighbors and community members spoke against the rezoning at length. Dave Nance, who identified himself as a resident and a representative of Eden Hills Estates POA, summarized local concerns as \"united basically on 3 reasons\": property values, perceived deterioration of some multifamily rentals over time and infrastructure demands, including drainage and public‑safety services. Carol White, who lives on Nicole Cove off Bridger Road, told commissioners: \"Traffic on 49 is already extremely congested... Bridger is very narrow with no shoulders.\" Lynn Childers, a longtime resident and former president of the Northeast Arkansas Board of Realtors, described a recent crash involving her wife to underline safety worries at a blind curve on Bridger Road.

Attorney Jared Woodard spoke for his grandmother, a nearby landowner, and said the family opposes multifamily development on adjacent acreage: \"She's 93 years old... it's 40 acres of pasture, of hay, a pond, fence rows, deer... that's what it's going to be for the foreseeable future.\" Several speakers also submitted petitions opposing the rezoning.

During the hearing the applicant noted a conceptual site plan that produced a potential yield of about 80 units under current code requirements but acknowledged a concept plan is not binding for a rezoning decision. Commission staff reiterated that any rezoning and redevelopment would require detailed site and infrastructure review, including compliance with stormwater and engineering requirements and a traffic impact study.

After hearing public comments, the applicant asked the commission to withdraw the application; commission staff confirmed under local procedural rules that applicants are allowed a one‑time withdrawal as of right and that a second withdrawal would trigger a 90‑day wait before refiling. The withdrawal was recorded at the meeting; commissioners did not vote on the rezoning after the withdrawal request.

Why it matters: The item highlights neighborhood concern about adding multifamily units on a narrow, high‑speed stretch of Bridger Road and shows the hearing process can result in applicants withdrawing to pursue additional neighbor outreach or a different proposal.

What’s next: The applicant may resubmit after neighborhood outreach; a resubmission would require renewed notification and would follow the same review process if refiled.","A rezoning request for roughly 6.79 acres at 2106 Bridger Road drew extensive public comment on traffic, safety and infrastructure; the applicant asked to withdraw the rezoning application at the hearing.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6503345,"Consultants outline 18–24 month comprehensive plan and street‑master update; commission recommends City Council review",1065,237000,1302000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5573852-5954f0f7875582d78f6d92bd23326bf3&start=237&end=1302","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5573852-5954f0f7875582d78f6d92bd23326bf3/thumbnail_237000.jpg","/articles/6503345/Jonesboro/Craighead-County/Arkansas/Consultants-outline-1824-month-comprehensive-plan-and-streetmaster-update-commission-recommends-City-Council-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503345-fdfa18476a31931006c681e08837ecf2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136974&Signature=JsxydEKu2f-di0HjmJU22IiB5GMZhiUcHVx17tGrbVGBzmzLopOdbXRqWgOjLOgIyfC9vfglKzxP8UDd9pqZTbfkbBgTkdC4Kg5y2DhsfHaWNcfL9TDe0h90qn2ngAcxryndQYe7ClHq0j0H84AjAsbg7P0scLfQdmeWhAR0PyYNQaWsg1GBm1Tnc0YAM4P2y2aohKF7zxQl0h8RyD8LS3vrJRq1Ock9sGkJ0qVQET8D7N~4WxcuF2WID17FTu05rWAbxkDsF--pHZRR0q7~MDTQS2Ne0HPT7ysvVc90X-eVgqsYJbZ672ixPsXt8fzCEmA~3o-dnjrAg429KVQnoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Consultants from DPZ CoDesign, Craft & Toll and Urban3 told the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission on May 12 that a combined comprehensive plan and master street plan update would take roughly 18 to 24 months and include three phases: analysis, public engagement and production of a final document for local adoption.

The consultants said the project will pair design work with fiscal analysis. Matt Lambert, partner with DPZ CoDesign, described a three‑phase schedule that begins with data gathering and stakeholder interviews, moves into an in‑person “design week” (charrette) and finishes with a detailed plan and implementation steps to be reviewed by the steering committee, staff, the commission and then the City Council.

\"The first phase is really about getting started, doing analysis, getting a website together, having one‑on‑one interviews, focus groups, just information gathering,\" Lambert said. He told commissioners the team will test design concepts in a weeklong workshop and then refine those proposals into implementation steps assigned to departments and boards.

Dave Roberts of Craft & Toll explained the transportation and streets work and why the team is pairing a master street plan with the land‑use work: \"Street design happens outside of land use, but the design — how many lanes you have, do you have sidewalks, are there bikeways — depends on the land use. We would be combining and coordinating that transportation to ensure you're efficiently spending your transportation dollars and that it supports the type of development that you want.\"

Urban3 will provide a fiscal analysis looking at how different land‑use scenarios affect municipal revenues and long‑term infrastructure costs, the consultants said. Lambert added the fiscal work will help the city evaluate whether the types of housing and commercial development being promoted will cover the costs of public infrastructure and services over decades.

Commission discussion focused on timeline, public engagement and legal boundaries. A commissioner asked whether the plan would extend beyond city limits; the consultants said the base scope covers the city limits but that growth projections and county dynamics would be considered in the analysis. Commissioners also asked how the team plans to draw public participation; the consultants described a mix of in‑person events (including open‑house style “parties”), online surveys and a weeklong charrette set up in a public storefront or other accessible location.

The commission voted to forward the consultants' presentation and recommendation to the City Council for further action and adoption steps. The vote recorded no roll‑call tally in the meeting minutes; a motion to forward the presentation was made and seconded and the chair announced the motion passed.

Why it matters: A consolidated comprehensive plan and a coordinated master street plan shape zoning, streets, capital projects and long‑term fiscal decisions; staff and the consultant team said the process will include technical implementation steps so departments and boards can budget and schedule work.

What’s next: The consultants estimate a first draft suitable for commission review about one year into the process, with continuing public engagement and steering‑committee review before final council consideration.","Consultants from DPZ, Craft & Toll and Urban3 presented a proposed 20–25 year comprehensive growth plan and an updated master street plan; the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission voted to forward the presentation to the Jonesboro City Council for consideration.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves fee‑in‑lieu for sidewalk at 903 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

Commission recommends pattern‑book change to allow grocery on planned development tract; rezoning gets favorable recommendation

Commission grants preliminary plat approval for Sarah's Crossing Phase 4 — 54 lots on 15 acres

Applicants withdraw rezoning request at 2106 Bridger Road after heavy neighborhood opposition

Consultants outline 18–24 month comprehensive plan and street‑master update; commission recommends City Council review