[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6136242,"mediaKeyId","5668146-2e824ceacbf50fdf31f4eaf19dd03794","parentId",5668146,"title","Board adopts ordinance to align Little Rock code with state ADU law after contentious public comment","audioSeconds",2203,"startMs",2003000,"endMs",4206000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5668146-2e824ceacbf50fdf31f4eaf19dd03794&start=2003&end=4206","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5668146-2e824ceacbf50fdf31f4eaf19dd03794/thumbnail_2003000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6136242/Little-Rock-City/Pulaski-County/Arkansas/Board-adopts-ordinance-to-align-Little-Rock-code-with-state-ADU-law-after-contentious-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6136242-4bae7748c3f42efd11a7a2f2fb9495b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158925&Signature=NjK~f3aB~3hNXbUmG9xdoLK-rLNZRsTLK0rh6ZwN5o4ByYUunkBk4vW5pZ9-LKddDuRLe8EkKM~cg6aUVYjppdlFJX0bIqP6M~di42OMjc1ZEYJJRS5HHBeNqSGENeUBk0GZjqATQ-49HznQK7fYr8szhseZUtLrl4LdLtSeihwvRnX7Y0DWOIeqtATsYGnjHEYx-WKq6zJifAV1vjOufirsEQwQ0akvUr0P-ZTDuEyTB3g2CJ~FRj4W0Fk9n1caPmnM-vixTfCJCk0H1QGgZJRbwefG7ee5hL0Y9JDLkHVeOkbpTjUTg-ycy7LuVAD8nrVKPE1443j05NxPW17pGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Little Rock","date","2025-08-20T00:00:00Z","article","The Little Rock City Board of Directors voted on June 3 to adopt an ordinance updating local zoning to align with Act 313 of 2025 and to set city-level standards for accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

The ordinance — described in the meeting as the city’s strictest interpretation of Act 313 — was the subject of extended public comment from residents of Mountain Vista and Shannon Hills, who argued that proposed ADU implementation could allow duplex-style development on lots intended for single-family housing, strain Shannon Hills’ water tower and wastewater systems, and create fire- and emergency-access hazards on streets with a single ingress/egress.

Mayor Kemp of Shannon Hills, Shelley Reed (a Mountain Vista resident) and Teresa Lynn (also Mountain Vista) testified that a developer cleared lots without permits and that building 10 additional units would exceed fire-apparatus access thresholds referenced in the 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code. Lynn cited “fire section D107” of the 2021 code and told the board a single access road could leave more than 30 dwellings with insufficient emergency access.

Brad (planning director) told the board staff had been conducting community engagement — including surveys and focus groups — and that the ordinance was drafted to reflect the strictest interpretation of the state law. He said staff required a will-serve letter from both Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority and Central Arkansas Water for projects that depend on off-system utilities and that planning staff would not issue permits without those letters. Planning staff also said they were continuing community meetings and that the city’s code must be brought into alignment with state law to avoid conflicting rules.

Vice Mayor Warrick moved to defer the vote until after a scheduled public meeting and after survey results were compiled; that motion to defer failed on a 5–4 vote, and the board proceeded to vote on the ordinance the same evening. Board members who spoke in favor cited the need to bring the city into compliance with state law; directors who opposed or asked for deferral pointed to outstanding public concerns and differences in how other nearby jurisdictions interpret the state statute.

Tom (city attorney) confirmed the board’s legal authority was limited by the general assembly’s enactment and said the city must adopt implementing language that conforms to the statute. Planning staff said they could amend the ordinance later as long as amendments did not conflict with the state law.

The transcript shows the board adopted the ordinance and applied emergency clauses to the related items. Staff said they will not issue permits for specific Mountain Vista lots without required utility will-serve letters and necessary permits. The transcript does not show a ward-level permit issuance for the Mountain Vista site during the meeting; staff indicated enforcement steps and utility verifications remain prerequisites before construction can proceed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting 8.19.25","oneSentenceSummary","The Little Rock City Board of Directors voted June 3 to adopt an ordinance revising local zoning to comply with Act 313 of 2025 on accessory dwelling units (ADUs) after public comment and a failed effort to defer the vote.","taxTitle","Little Rock City, Pulaski County, Arkansas","taxId",3741,"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},6136247,"Board adopts consent agenda including I‑30 Deck planning contract and EV purchase grant",180,1385000,1565000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5668146-2e824ceacbf50fdf31f4eaf19dd03794&start=1385&end=1565","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5668146-2e824ceacbf50fdf31f4eaf19dd03794/thumbnail_1385000.jpg","/articles/6136247/Little-Rock-City/Pulaski-County/Arkansas/Board-adopts-consent-agenda-including-I30-Deck-planning-contract-and-EV-purchase-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6136247-d1c9b92d8f4929abfd53e185656070d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158925&Signature=nNR51-644ZPwwYVox-rAj7E7gb6ILc5YlVeMrnQEPHSkwJc1wWnOuudnJZq8afTZDNpGKpgiLNP77jwbwj-1jxpJfXaw02kf9TwMUcp~LVXsS-xsZG6yfN~ggHzRbIfgVyc4kqsqr4fCQBgsZxo614sq5QY1C~RLqceoIWXOnJ~Cwrubp0TV736PsUyakKYqtVIokig70w7GIbAuIDbyNZBDERMxy0S-~kDxQdhYgZetrVkF2wXQ4v4nk7w0lUW~ryXsXDuwv63UPdkEZaGSOi01N8-PoGmGmJqhSexsjHGyfxcNsRJfGxzUsucqNtzJKN4JINh-o~Ngehdqog~5UA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Little Rock City Board of Directors adopted a consent agenda on June 3, 2025, that included multiple contracts, grants and agreements the city manager was authorized to execute.

Items listed on the consent agenda included a contract with Garver LLC not to exceed $2,500,000 for the I‑30 Deck park planning study; authorization to utilize federal Surface Transportation Program funds for Bowman Road phase 2 improvements; a memorandum of understanding and a subaward agreement with the Little Rock School District for community schools and garden-educator grant administration; purchase of property at 3108 W. 14th Street using U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funds for facility-based housing; a five-year contract with Presidio Network Solutions Group LLC not to exceed $456,436.60 to implement Cisco Webex Calling; a Polaris software renewal with Utility Associates Inc. for up to $79,000 for mobile modems in police vehicles; a climate pollution reduction grant award with Metroplan not to exceed $340,000 to buy 29 electric vehicles; acceptance of a National Education Association Foundation grant up to $80,000 to support community schools; a change order for termite removal and treatment related to the Zoo’s Café Africa roof replacement; and authorization to contract with Stevens Inc. as financial advisor for future debt obligations.

Director Adcock moved to extract item 1 from the consent agenda for a later separate discussion; that motion to defer failed and item 1 remained on the consent agenda. Director Phillips and other directors asked staff for updates about the Bowman Road item; staff (Manesh) reported outreach with property-owner groups and said those groups had no objection to the item proceeding on the agenda.

After questions and brief discussion, the board voted to adopt the consent agenda. The consent vote was recorded as passed by voice vote; the clerk read the full list of items into the record before the adoption.

Votes at a glance (consent agenda items; adopted as read):
- Garver LLC — contract not to exceed $2,500,000 for I‑30 Deck park planning study (contract authorization)
- Federal-aid Surface Transportation Program — utilization for Bowman Road phase 2 improvements (resolution)
- Memorandum of Understanding with Little Rock School District — sustainable implementation of community school model (MOU/resolution)
- Subaward agreement with Little Rock School District — administer grant to support garden educators (subaward/grant)
- Purchase of 3108 W. 14th Street — facility-based housing using HUD funds (property purchase)
- Presidio Network Solutions Group LLC — 5‑year Cisco Webex Calling contract, up to $456,436.60 (contract)
- Utility Associates Inc. — Polaris software subscription renewal, up to $79,000 (contract)
- Metroplan climate pollution reduction grant — up to $340,000 to purchase 29 EVs (grant agreement)
- NEA Foundation grant acceptance — up to $80,000 to support community schools initiative (grant)
- Zoo Café Africa roof change order — termite removal and treatment (change order)
- Stevens Inc. — financial-advisory contract for future debt issuance (contract)

The board’s final action read and adopted the items as a single consent agenda; no separate roll-call vote for each item is recorded in the transcript.","The Little Rock City Board of Directors approved a multi-item consent agenda on June 3 that included a contract not to exceed $2.5 million for I‑30 Deck park planning, a $340,000 climate grant to buy 29 electric vehicles, several software and services contracts and grant awards, and a property purchase using HUD funds.",{"_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},6136251,"Age Friendly Little Rock presents 2025–2028 action plan, seeks board support",782,604000,1386000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5668146-2e824ceacbf50fdf31f4eaf19dd03794&start=604&end=1386","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5668146-2e824ceacbf50fdf31f4eaf19dd03794/thumbnail_604000.jpg","/articles/6136251/Little-Rock-City/Pulaski-County/Arkansas/Age-Friendly-Little-Rock-presents-20252028-action-plan-seeks-board-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6136251-9ae77de066368984e64d4f5a27547dd0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158925&Signature=CWhqQdS6QIHjcc1b8UXHDppe4IHNnrrjjzZh49cs-ZXFY-xtMVOCqGAk4~RELrqXIctrlfvmgvmZM~EiUFN3GIvHhzBrEUfUablxhQk0W~5HDrijbrIODCRzIp4R55HQjRwS1p1LsBucQKtZUSf2BTT4AcaaaIRCkvq86jaYlzDOhK37FzgLvrxTgAOOYg3-ruroDss7OH0Q55BGLviHI92DDO97iEKYtQUNNy3U66YoB2RucAbASKgVDQrtPewoLqYAXTh2QCW8jvxJ3laTAJcr~NTiUvNJp-3ZbNqGN~zT6SfjPRv9MbFPUbXZSjmRgng1Wo13CWQ7xz3M2SvEcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Blake Tierney, chair of the Age Friendly Little Rock Commission, presented the commission’s newly approved 2025–2028 action plan to the Little Rock City Board of Directors on June 3, 2025, and asked the board for ongoing support and help recruiting commissioners for several vacant seats.

Tierney said the commission — created by ordinance in February 2019 and part of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities — will focus its first-year work on four priority areas: communication and information, housing, transportation, and health and community supports.

The commission’s community assessment, which Tierney said drew nearly 1,000 respondents with an average age of 65, showed the city’s overall AARP livability score at 48. Major themes included limited access to readable information, shortage of affordable and accessible housing, transportation gaps and uneven access to fitness and social programs. Tierney told the board that about 68% of survey respondents rated access to information as poor or fair and that fewer than one in three respondents said traffic signs were easy to read. He said AARP data the commission used shows roughly 700 unhoused residents in the city, with about 20% of them aged 55 or older.

The plan lists specific activities: develop age-friendly communication best-practice guidance and a dedicated city web page; expand digital literacy and trusted-navigator training; compile a vetted list of contractors and home-repair guidance for aging-in-place; coordinate with partners on affordable, accessible housing and neighborhood engagement; and work with city staff to integrate age-friendly principles into decision-making and staff training.

Tierney asked city directors to help recruit commissioners for vacant ward seats (he identified vacancies in Wards 4, 5, 6 and 7) and said commissioners would be more visible at future board meetings. He invited board members and the public to the commission’s second annual Age Friendly Livable Communities Summit and Expo on Sept. 11 at West Central Community Center.

Tierney: “We look forward to having support of you all and people in the public, community groups, agencies, each of the departments.”

The presentation concluded without a board vote; Tierney said the commission will continue to provide input on the senior center renovation at University Park and follow up with city departments on implementation items.

AARP network membership, the commission’s ordinance, the community-assessment results and the action plan were all referenced in the presentation.","The Age Friendly Little Rock Commission presented a 2025–2028 action plan to the Little Rock City Board of Directors, summarizing AARP community-assessment findings and priorities on communication, housing, transportation and health supports and asking the board and departments for continued support and recruitment help for commission vacancies.",{"_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},6136238,"Neighbors oppose Orndoff No. 2 PDR at 1522 Hanger Street over parking and safety; board approves after three readings",1622,4574000,6196000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5668146-2e824ceacbf50fdf31f4eaf19dd03794&start=4574&end=6196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5668146-2e824ceacbf50fdf31f4eaf19dd03794/thumbnail_4574000.jpg","/articles/6136238/Little-Rock-City/Pulaski-County/Arkansas/Neighbors-oppose-Orndoff-No-2-PDR-at-1522-Hanger-Street-over-parking-and-safety-board-approves-after-three-readings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6136238-c6d712efd72f4cccc0e565e4f13501ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158925&Signature=Ls-itNrpDxaN0oZGZT6khMwBH~DdQioNrS6Xc-QEaeDDJAuN1p~z1ppI11V3q4e0oan1ii5MCcx7VCoDW82MBHrCtd0i91SUqjnJ6bRgU9G7vQDWfLt6257LZau~G7pm6sbog1pRYZI~Bj~8C3vbkvEZN2ZBcBXGEGAQu7k3rhB0KUBYCl3N6WdQiBY4~NZidbQVncqxfLt2ZygCVaVV1WsBiuoSPrelb2zgb3uernXExzC7haE7wXmw8OQF5EboL8rOIDh3X-YLrd5PX~5PfemzMK7iZvgVSghDZiNHei7XIW2~oKNh2-9tFZbNanJUbYmAiIUo8ivvOXMbJF39VQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Little Rock City Board of Directors completed third and final reading and approved the Orndoff Number 2 planned development residential (PDR) application for property at 1522 Hanger Street after public comment from neighbors who said the project lacks off-street parking and creates safety risks for children and emergency vehicles.

Multiple residents spoke against the project. Charlene Riggs, a neighbor, told the board the area has traditionally relied on off-street parking and that adding multiple units on a small lot without driveways would create safety risks for children walking to bus stops. Michelle Lynn, who identified herself as medically disabled, told the board she needs safe, close access between car and home and said street parking would reduce accessibility for residents with mobility limitations.

Phyllis Hodges, a neighborhood resident and organizer, presented photographs and a petition and described ongoing crime and traffic challenges; she said emergency responders sometimes have difficulty accessing parts of the neighborhood because of cars parked on narrow streets.

Applicant Mike Orndorff described his background as a home builder and said the project is intended to create lower-cost, one-bedroom homes he hopes can be sold at lower price points. He disputed some safety claims and said street parking can slow traffic and is common in nearby blocks; he also noted the planning department’s decisions are based on the city code, which requires one off-street parking space per unit.

Planning staff confirmed the planning commission recommended denial at an earlier meeting because the project did not meet the city’s off-street parking requirements.

On the recorded roll call the board split but the motion carried. The transcript records the roll-call votes as: Director Miller — No; Director Webb — Yes; Director Peck — Yes; Director Hines — Yes; Director Lewis — No; Director Campiris — Yes; Director Phillips — Yes; Director Adcock — No; Vice Mayor Warrick — (vote recorded as yes in roll call summary). The chair announced the measure carried.","The board approved third reading of a planned district residential (PDR) application titled Orndoff Number 2 at 1522 Hanger Street following public comment raising concerns about off-street parking, pedestrian safety and neighborhood crime. The planning commission previously voted against the project citing lack of required off-street parking.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board adopts ordinance to align Little Rock code with state ADU law after contentious public comment

Board adopts consent agenda including I‑30 Deck planning contract and EV purchase grant

Age Friendly Little Rock presents 2025–2028 action plan, seeks board support

Neighbors oppose Orndoff No. 2 PDR at 1522 Hanger Street over parking and safety; board approves after three readings