[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6136228,"mediaKeyId","5668148-cc5a47213ab6d236ae9112192d4b1600","parentId",5668148,"title","Orndorff PDR at E. 20th and Bragg deferred after parking and trash access questions","audioSeconds",1976,"startMs",7000000,"endMs",8976000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5668148-cc5a47213ab6d236ae9112192d4b1600&start=7000&end=8976","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5668148-cc5a47213ab6d236ae9112192d4b1600/thumbnail_7000000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6136228/Little-Rock-City/Pulaski-County/Arkansas/Orndorff-PDR-at-E-20th-and-Bragg-deferred-after-parking-and-trash-access-questions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6136228-5e69fe499079a57008c21afde97f5351/orig.mp4?Expires=1770435106&Signature=HXYUC~KzBW~72gFvO82k10YBbcrr7BiEfv3a4caJMPhEZoJPS-pYvTRHnEKCHfmyKO3BXINUQ5SeQFWgqVZWCEXvyU3JCDJ7hq-HfzqGmENGNSt~D7KAX5WilQn8Di7BuafbY9fsa1Ie5PDUF3eTlj1AokQyqMK-8x~6ciKohMU9k3Vg2SKkSpsJBCfuhK-7K5mOP8FRWPiF9pboXF7EGhGBAuZr2bWy6-~H-9yNH-xhKMIKKMc5m896CLSZV8EAN3Ulf8qxF8q2sBdmTWjYN4jCL5Elq~Lop00AwPjaULqdzbF3ozYE3H0p8ODU2apvOVtPlJbT21jOsfEx9-VS7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Little Rock","date","2025-08-15T00:00:00Z","article","The Planning Commission on Aug. 14 deferred action on a Planned Development Residential (PDR) rezoning proposal for a 0.16‑acre parcel at the southeast corner of East 20th Street and Bragg Street after staff raised objections about off‑street parking and trash access and the applicant asked for additional time to revise the site plan.

The applicant proposed replatting the lot into five narrow lots and building five two‑story single‑family units, each about 1,320 square feet. The site plan as submitted showed no off‑street parking; staff said the lack of dedicated off‑street parking and lack of a landscaping response made the proposal inconsistent with the city’s development standards and likely to adversely affect surrounding properties and city services.

Vernon Williams of Garnet Engineering explained that individual owners would be responsible for landscaping and suggested street parking along East 20th and Bragg could accommodate required spaces. Developer Mike Orndorff said the project aims to provide smaller, attainable homes aimed at first‑time buyers and workforce households.

Commissioners and staff questioned trash handling for the three interior lots that would have no direct frontage to place bins for curbside pickup, and staff said a revised site plan and explicit parking/trash‑access solutions would represent a substantial change to the PRD submission and should be entered into the record. The applicant asked to defer rather than withdraw; the commission granted a staff‑requested deferral to the next meeting so the applicant can provide an amended site plan that addresses parking, trash access and other staff comments.

Staff recommendation: denial (as submitted).

Next steps: applicant to work with staff to produce a revised site plan showing off‑street parking or an alternative, and a trash/utility access solution; the matter will return to the commission at the next meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Little Rock Planning Commission Meeting 8.14.25","oneSentenceSummary","The Planning Commission deferred consideration of a proposed PDR at the southeast corner of East 20th Street and Bragg Street after staff flagged parking and access concerns and the applicant requested time to revise the site plan.","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},6136233,"Commission approves rezoning at 9911 West Markham for small cafe and office despite staff objections",639,6407000,7046000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5668148-cc5a47213ab6d236ae9112192d4b1600&start=6407&end=7046","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5668148-cc5a47213ab6d236ae9112192d4b1600/thumbnail_6407000.jpg","/articles/6136233/Little-Rock-City/Pulaski-County/Arkansas/Commission-approves-rezoning-at-9911-West-Markham-for-small-cafe-and-office-despite-staff-objections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6136233-9dc704e9c2d52285ed2b4e044915b986/orig.mp4?Expires=1770435106&Signature=oHfFLaB0V-NNFdzNxIHRi8u-mMomx0P4Kq2MSjeHWsIynYWCLGQtXmVeYE~ouf8gaVJ4g0Y6A2jXJcIzjukQMq~N1m4eZuzzBwm8GkZE2GbEZKGFbkdP5-rOPuEP-dS2cRKV~uEmbY36~FC5dTuuNPzwk7dnkiKK67AtGBur-fD-KXd60eAEcmF-8DJrrIpOQJzTm6QIOZxAvQs5JU1xzY2YDoOBC0UZ8zQ-hBtBlkEj2LwM6RPSxGxe-O3a5zXBC88AGHW7mg6uMohZaF86m948zdLwiWM762AwQ4ANJLg40MAqCo2Sh5xQUMKCGrr~MYf3Gpzjv80Lkv1jhfmPWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Little Rock Planning Commission voted Aug. 14 to rezone a 0.22-acre property at 9911 West Markham Street from O‑3 (office) to Planned Commercial District (PCD) to permit a small cafe, bakery, ice cream and pizza restaurant in one suite and an office in the other.

Staff opposed the rezoning, saying the site is a small property adjacent to single‑family homes and that the requested commercial use does not represent an appropriate transition into the residential area; staff also flagged operational hours and on‑site maneuvering space for vehicles as concerns. The applicant said the property is an underused former office building and that local demand supports a neighborhood food and coffee destination.

Pavitram, the applicant, told the commission the 1,520‑square‑foot, one‑story building would be split into Suite A (895 square feet) for the cafe with about 15 seats and Suite B (625 square feet) for office use. Access is from Oak Lane, a dead‑end, and the applicant said no drive‑through is planned. The application proposes 12 parking spaces — eight in front and four in the rear — and a screened dumpster pad on the northwest corner of the lot.

Staff cited Section 36‑502 of the city zoning ordinance on parking requirements and the O‑3 rules that allow small accessory commercial uses only in limited circumstances; the applicant argued the cafe would be a neighborhood-serving use and that traffic on the principal arterial (West Markham) would limit spillover into the residential area.

Commission discussion noted nearby commercial activity within walking distance and that the proposed hours (as stated by the applicant) generally match comparable nearby businesses. The commission approved the rezoning by roll call after a motion to approve the application despite staff’s recommendation for denial.

Next steps for the applicant include preparing building and site plans that meet any technical permitting requirements and satisfying conditions in the staff report if applicable.

Context: The approval converts a vacant or underused office building to a small commercial use the commission judged appropriate for a mixed‑use commercial corridor, although staff had cited concerns about transition to adjacent single‑family zoning.","The Planning Commission rezoned a 0.22-acre property at 9911 West Markham Street from O-3 (office) to PCD to allow a split-suite cafe/bakery/restaurant and an office suite, overriding staff’s recommendation of denial based on transition and parking concerns.",{"_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},6136237,"Little Rock planning commission approves The Gardens mental-health facility with 24-hour security condition",4924,1009000,5933000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5668148-cc5a47213ab6d236ae9112192d4b1600&start=1009&end=5933","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5668148-cc5a47213ab6d236ae9112192d4b1600/thumbnail_1009000.jpg","/articles/6136237/Little-Rock-City/Pulaski-County/Arkansas/Little-Rock-planning-commission-approves-The-Gardens-mental-health-facility-with-24-hour-security-condition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6136237-f2c7760ee303fd6a23d5aa8765d5f7d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770435106&Signature=S1DcS62AX2tPMNXz5hDIJfuygKEqGmU0pBT4r19iCzk2BRzduG5-EQROikQnwIVSW-FwVcgwla3bVCJkfmAICo-pjrno4B7hCjBD4OHXhm46Ic-pW6Cyi~h8L~Blkik~R~H5Es640PC0Pcp~VUlWUkB5Li5Lhp6A2yrxtR4HmcxkXlBQPxRMsupALeo4cvFqaj2HK5PpilbTP-I6pI5dRrsnkcWNT9TDfHCCqcSqQtNDhpIO5B08JQEQO0BRfwfJFMSGixwKddzx7LxUaa7AYTVmckE~uU4kbqGtBZBTIWYiJ5t085EEKSUaoJKiy4Pcab60TNs8xOtHSul6BgQznA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Little Rock Planning Commission on Aug. 14 approved a conditional use permit allowing The Gardens to operate a 16-resident mental health and therapeutic community at 9621 Tall Timber Boulevard, subject to conditions including a provision that the permit be nontransferable and that 24-hour security services be provided on the premises.

The permit allows The Gardens to occupy an existing 11,918-square-foot building on a property of more than seven acres and to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week with up to eight staff or caregivers on site at any one time. The commission’s vote followed roughly an hour-and-a-half of public comment and a presentation by the applicant.

Staff had recommended approval, noting the site’s wooded buffer and the applicant’s limitations on occupancy, but dozens of neighbors and community leaders urged denial or stricter conditions, citing an existing nearby detox facility and repeated emergency calls.

Joe White, the onsite applicant, described the program’s intended population and operations. “We screen our residents. … We look for criminal backgrounds; we’re making sure that they don’t have recent violence,” White said. Ed Holman, listed as a Gardens representative, told the commission the program admits adults with serious mental illness or intellectual disabilities and that the group had invited neighbors to visit other Gardens facilities. “We don’t have anything to hide,” Holman said.

Neighbors described quality‑of‑life and safety problems they attribute to an existing detox center near the site and said adding another residential behavioral-health facility would increase density and calls for emergency services. David Wright, pastor of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, said the neighborhood is not opposed to services but added, “Because of [the detox center], it's caused the neighborhood to say no.” Denise White, a Pecan Lake resident and mortgage loan officer, told the commission she feared property-value declines and said ambulances and people leaving the detox facility have been visible in the neighborhood at night.

Commissioner Cameron Russell, citing lot size and staffing ratios, pushed back on the density argument in general, saying the site of more than seven acres would yield roughly 19,000 square feet per resident. “When talking about density, not an issue,” Russell said, adding that the residents proposed for The Gardens were screened for violence and would receive services supportive of reentry to community life.

The applicant’s cofounder, Georgia Johnston, and program administrator Sean Brown described staff training and de‑escalation strategies the facility would use. “We are trained … to deescalate,” Johnston said, and Brown added that the organization monitors residents daily and coordinates with medical providers when a resident’s condition changes.

Commission discussion referenced legal limits as well: a planning staff attorney reminded the room that the commission could not deny the application solely because the proposed use serves a disabled population. Commissioners discussed possible conditions to address neighbors’ safety concerns; the approved motion included two explicit conditions recorded in the minutes: (1) the CUP is for The Gardens facility and operators only and will become null and void if The Gardens vacates the property, and (2) the applicant will provide 24‑hour security services on the premises.

The motion to approve carried on a roll‑call vote with a majority in favor and one commissioner recorded as opposing. After the vote, the chair urged continued communication between the operator and the neighborhood.

The commission’s action allows The Gardens to move forward subject to the stated conditions; further approvals and permitting for remodeling and operations will still be required before residents are admitted.

Local significance: the approval resolves a contested neighborhood decision where residents, some citing repeated 911 calls to the nearby detox center, urged denial; the commission balanced those concerns against zoning standards, staff recommendation and protections for people with disabilities.","The Little Rock Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit allowing The Gardens to operate a 16-resident therapeutic community at 9621 Tall Timber Boulevard, imposing a nontransferable permit and 24-hour security after hours of public opposition centered on neighborhood safety and density concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Orndorff PDR at E. 20th and Bragg deferred after parking and trash access questions

Commission approves rezoning at 9911 West Markham for small cafe and office despite staff objections

Little Rock planning commission approves The Gardens mental-health facility with 24-hour security condition