Commission recommends General Commercial zoning for 413 Hammond Drive; owner proposes small venue use

On May 8, 2025, the Hot Springs Planning Commission reviewed a rezoning request for 413 Hammond Drive (Case 205-407) to change zoning from Residential Neighborhood 5 (RN-5) to General Commercial (CG) on approximately 0.82 acres. Staff said the property lies in Board of Directors District 3 and that surrounding zoning includes CG to the south and RN-5 to other sides; staff recommended a future land use map amendment to Community Commercial Center to support CG zoning.

Applicant Ethan Landrum, who said he is acting for his wife Lindsey Landrum (who was out of town), described proposed uses if rezoning is approved: "What we plan on doing ... is turn that old church into like a like a small little venue area. You know, people can do, like, little small, like, classes for kids or whatever and, even do like a like a small wedding chapel, like, elopements and stuff like that." Landrum added that one side of the structure would serve as a photography studio for his wife.

Staff and the commission discussed that the rezoning request would allow a broader set of permitted uses; the applicant confirmed the property sale is contingent on receiving the zoning change. The Planning Commission voted to recommend that the Board of Directors adopt an ordinance designating the property CG; roll call approval included Davis (approve), Reimink (approve), Kerke (approve), Walker (approve), Bow (approve), Lamond (approve) and Stafford (approve). The Board of Directors will consider final action on June 3, 2025, at 6 p.m.

No purchase has closed as of the meeting; the applicant confirmed the acquisition is contingent on approval of the rezoning.