Little Rock board rescinds Planning Commission approval for manufactured home on Bunch Road amid neighbor objections

The Little Rock City Board on Tuesday approved an ordinance rescinding the Little Rock Planning Commission’s conditional-use approval that would have allowed a multisectional manufactured home on an R‑2‑zoned parcel in the 8800 block of Bunch Road.

Why it matters: the vote overturns a planning commission decision and resolves a dispute between neighbors who said the installation would harm a single‑family neighborhood’s character and staff, which described the structure as a modular home that would be set on a slab and anchored.

What happened at the hearing: the board opened a public hearing on the ordinance and heard multiple residents. Evangeline Fulton, who identified herself as a long‑time resident and property owner on Bunch Road, said the street is narrow, lined with trees and poles, and not suitable for delivery or placement of a double‑wide unit. Fulton asked who would be responsible for damage to fences, trees or pavement during installation and said additional units would depress property values. Another speaker identified in the record only as Lisa submitted a written letter and said neighbors objected to what they described as the risk of setting a precedent that would allow more manufactured homes on the road.

Staff explanation: city planning staff member Jordan told the board that staff had recommended approval to the planning commission. Jordan said the proposed building is a modular home and ‘‘would have to be put on a slab’’ and ‘‘anchored down, more like a permanent structure’’—meaning it would not have a tongue or wheels in place after installation. Jordan also said that logistical responsibility for transporting or placing the unit without damaging property rests with the home owner, and that the home owner would be responsible for any damage during installation.

Vote and confusion on the floor: the item reached third and final reading and the board recorded the result verbally as ‘‘Ayes have it.’’ The meeting transcript and public speakers reflected confusion during the roll call about whether ‘‘yes’’ or ‘‘no’’ meant approval of the placement. City staff clarified on the record that the planning department’s recommendation was for approval at the commission level but that the board’s ordinance rescinds that approval; the board’s verbal vote carried the rescission.

Distinguishing discussion from decision: residents’ testimony and board questions were discussion; the board’s adoption of the ordinance was a formal decision to rescind the Planning Commission approval. The transcript contains multiple citizen objections and logistical questions about road width, traffic, and who would pay for damage if installation proved difficult; the board did not adopt an alternative permit or mitigation conditions at the meeting.

Next steps and implementation: the ordinance rescinds the conditional‑use approval; the transcript records no subsequent direction to planning staff to draft mitigation measures or to refile the application. If the applicant seeks to proceed, the applicant would need to return to the planning process under the city’s land‑use rules.

Background: the item originated at the Little Rock Planning Commission; staff said a similar application had previously been considered by the board and the commission. Residents said the neighborhood already contains manufactured‑home parks nearby and opposed further placement on Bunch Road. The parcel is in Ward 2, which residents emphasized during public comment.