Conway planning commission recommends denial of rezoning for 7.8-acre workforce housing site after neighborhood opposition

The Conway Planning Commission voted 5–1 on March 6 to recommend that City Council deny a rezoning request for about 7.8 acres at North Main Street and Chacora/ Shakurah Boulevard that a developer proposed for an 80-unit workforce housing complex.

The applicant, Nate Broman Fultz, vice president of development for Taft Mills Group, told the commission the project would be income-restricted housing serving households at or below 70% of area median income. "We will only be serving households that are making 70% of the area median income and below," Fultz said, and described a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units and on-site amenities and management.

Neighbors who live behind the site spoke sharply against the rezoning at the planning commission public hearing, raising concerns about stormwater and flooding, vehicle access and turning on Highway 701, site drainage after nearby developments, school overcrowding, noise and public safety. Julie Hartman, who said she lives at 1020…