Residents of the Mountain Vista/Vista Pointe subdivision brought concerns to the Little Rock City Board on Aug. 5 about a developer who cleared multiple lots and was preparing two‑unit buildings the neighborhood describes as duplexes. Board members and staff told residents a stop‑work order had been issued and that the city will return with ordinance language and legal guidance at a later meeting.

Residents described extensive clearing on a ridge and warned of erosion and drainage risks. “He plainly ... calls them Unit A and Unit B. Unit A is just over 1,900 square feet. Unit B is 1,150 square feet, which already exceeds the thousand square feet,” resident Shelly Reed told the board, saying those sizes suggested the structures were intended as separate rental units rather than accessory dwellings.

Residents also raised fire‑access and traffic concerns. One speaker cited the Arkansas fire code language staff had provided, noting that developments of one‑ and two‑family dwellings with more than 30 dwelling units require two separate approved fire‑apparatus roads; residents said Mountain Vista has only one entrance and exit. Residents also reported heavy equipment had crossed private streets and left cracks and gouges in the pavement.

City staff response and ordinance timing: the mayor and staff said the ADU ordinance before the board reflected new state requirements and required additional clarifying language; the board moved the ADU item to the Aug. 19 agenda so staff could add missing language. City staff also said they have issued a stop‑work order at the site and would enforce it if work continued; staff said they would follow up with building services and the city attorney on permit and enforcement questions.

Why it matters: Residents said the developer previously sought rezoning for multi‑family use and was denied; neighbors said they fear the current construction would have similar impacts (runoff, emergency access, water/pump capacity and traffic) if allowed to continue. Residents also said the local water pumping and storage infrastructure may not support additional multi‑family occupancy on the slope.

Next steps: staff said they will: (1) enforce the stop work order and return if work resumes; (2) provide the board legal analysis and clarified ADU ordinance language by Aug. 19; and (3) coordinate with building services on enforcement and private‑street damage claims.

Ending: The board scheduled a follow‑up on Aug. 19 to address the ADU ordinance language and the neighborhood’s concerns; staff said they will continue enforcement action while the legal and planning review proceeds.