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Planning commission approves auto-sales special use at 4314 East Broadway after neighbors raise noise, cleanup concerns
Summary
The North Little Rock Planning Commission approved a special use permit allowing a small auto-sales display at 4314 East Broadway after neighbors voiced concerns about past trash, noise and yard maintenance. Commissioners attached standard conditions; the applicant must still appear before City Council.
The North Little Rock Planning Commission voted to approve a special-use permit allowing auto sales at 4314 East Broadway, despite neighbors who urged the commission to deny the request because of past trash, noise and yard-maintenance problems.
The vote came after applicant Jaden Brown told commissioners he currently uses the property as an office and said he did not display cars or operate loud equipment. "I solely use it as an office space," Brown said, adding that he has been mowing the lot regularly and has installed security cameras.
The neighbors who spoke opposed the request. Bridal and Whitney Johnson, who said they live at 4409 Haywood Street, told the commission their household includes a disabled veteran and said they were concerned about loud music and other disturbances if the lot resumed car-lot activity. "We are seniors, and that's what we want to do. And we've been in our home over 38 years, and we want to continue to be there. That all the loud music, so we opposed to it," Johnson said.
Other neighbors described the property condition under prior ownership and said they had to remove trash and overgrowth after buying nearby homes. One neighbor told the commission she had used dumpsters and heavy equipment to clean the site and urged the commission to allow the applicant to operate rather than leave the lot blighted.
Commissioners said they would attach the planning staff's conditions to the special use. During questioning, Commissioner Chambers asked whether a six-foot opaque privacy fence required by the conditions existed; Brown replied, "Yes. There is fencing across that entire backyard... it should be a 6 foot fence." Commissioners also noted the special use includes limits such as a maximum of 12 vehicles displayed and other standard requirements for commercial use adjacent to residences.
The commission approved the special use in a recorded roll call. Commissioners Blasco, Chambers, Foster, Phillips, Pierce, Wallace, White and Chairman Clifton voted yes. The commission noted that the applicant must still take the approved special use to the North Little Rock City Council for final action.
The commission and neighbors were explicit that code enforcement remains the mechanism to address future violations; commissioners said a business that breaks the conditions can lose its permit and face enforcement actions.
The applicant was directed to follow the written conditions provided by planning staff and to appear before City Council for final approval.
