Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Short Term Rentals Cantrell 5147 topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board denies rezoning for short-term rental at 5147 Cantrell after strong neighborhood opposition
Summary
The board rejected a plan zoning development request that would have allowed a short-term rental business at 5147 Cantrell Road after residents and staff cited neighborhood character and enforcement concerns.
The Little Rock City Board of Directors declined on March 18, 2025, to approve a rezoning request to establish a planned district commercial (PDC) designation at 5147 Cantrell Road that would have allowed operation of a short-term rental (STR) business.
Members of the nearby neighborhood, citing preservation of single-family character and enforcement problems with existing STRs, urged the board to reject the application. Resident Sherry Henderson said the area is "zoned for single family residents" and warned that converting the lot to commercial use could remove housing from the long-term stock. Nancy (Carrie) McDonald and Susan Colford told the board that enforcement capacity is limited and urged a moratorium on new STR approvals until the city can account for existing listings.
Applicant Brian Harden, who said he and Sarah King own the property, told the board the house has been used to shelter families in emergencies and that the property meets the city's STR criteria, including parking requirements. Harden said his properties "are very well taken care of" and referenced positive guest reviews and uses during the city's tornado recovery.
Planning staff recommended denial; Director Jordan summarized that earlier applications in the same neighborhood had been denied and that the current request appeared part of the prior commercial push. Staff cited concerns about the commercial nature of the owner97managed portfolio and potential erosion of neighborhood character. Several residents presented maps and sales listings to show multiple nearby properties for sale and existing rental activity; they told the board the applicant already manages multiple nearby units and that placement of another STR so close to single-family homes would be disruptive.
After three readings and public comment, the board voted and the motion failed. Staff and commissioners noted overlapping state legislation under consideration (including House Bill 17 90) that could change municipal authority over STR regulation; several neighborhood speakers urged the board to delay approvals until state action is resolved and until the city can demonstrate enforcement capacity.
The decision preserves the neighborhood's single-family zoning for now; the transcript records that staff recommended denial and that multiple residents and at least one board member opposed the rezoning. No roll-call vote with named tallies appears in the transcript.
