Planning commission denies temporary homeless shelter at 615 North B Street after public opposition

The Fort Smith Planning Commission on Sept. 9 rejected a conditional use request to allow Next Step Homeless Services to operate a day-shelter and support services from a church-owned building at 615 North B Street.

Planning staff presented Conditional Use 9-9-25, noting the request by Mag Architecture on behalf of Saint John’s Episcopal Church would allow Next Step to move its day-room, showers, case management, laundry and some office space into the existing 6,200-square-foot building. Staff recommended denial, saying the move would expand operations into a residential neighborhood and run counter to a previously approved Board of Directors planned zoning district (Ordinance 33-22) that conditioned a new facility on closing the existing location at 123 North Sixth Street. Staff also noted neighborhood input, and — while listing possible permit conditions if the commission chose to approve — recommended denial.

The proposal drew extensive public comment at the meeting. Opponents, including Myla Mazur, chairperson of the Historic District Commission and a board member of the Fort Smith Downtown Business Association, said the building abuts the historic district and worried the move would increase street sleeping and affect downtown visitation. Resident Clifton Culpepper said he has observed people sleeping on porches in the historic district and cited concerns about noise, garbage and trespassing. Northside High School principal Chris Carter said downtown businesses and schoolchildren already encounter safety and nuisance issues and urged caution.

Supporters argued the move would improve accessibility and services. Sharon Chapman, executive director of Next Step Homeless Services, said the organization operates a day shelter Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–3 p.m., serves roughly 85–100 people on a typical day and recorded about 1,600 distinct individuals served last year. Chapman said the current facility lacks full accessibility for people with mobility impairments and that the church-owned building proposed at 615 North B Street is single-story and accessible. Galen Hunter, the project architect, said bids were received and the group was “in value engineering” to bring the new, larger facility within budget, and expected a decision on construction timing within weeks. Father Jim McDonald of Saint John’s Episcopal Church said the church is offering the property and that the lease would include responsibilities to prevent after-hours use of the site.

Supporters also included representatives from some nearby businesses and church members who said the move would allow Next Step to offer showers and more indoor services temporarily until the new permanent facility opens. Opponents countered that the move would merely spread unsheltered activity further into the historic neighborhood and said other providers and campuses were options.

After discussion, a motion to approve the conditional use with staff comments failed on a roll-call vote: Vicki Newton — no; Griffin Hanna — no; Zach Ledford — no; David Tyler — no; Sean McCaffrey — no; Brett Taylor — no; Kelly Wilson — no; Matt Marshall — no (0 in favor, 8 opposed). Planning staff’s denial recommendation therefore stood and the conditional use request was denied.

The staff report and public comment record note a set of conditions that staff would have required if the commission had approved the use, including a time limit of 18 months or termination when the new facility at 815 South Sixth Street opens, requirement to vacate the 123 North Sixth Street location once the new facility opens, and installation of opaque screening fences around dumpsters and the northern property line. The commission did not adopt those conditions because it denied the application.

The record shows robust public engagement on both sides; the commission’s vote leaves the Next Step organization continuing at its current locations unless it pursues a different application or appeal process.