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Residents urge Pulaski County court for clearer guidance after extraterritorial-jurisdiction change; officials point to planning process and outreach
Summary
During public comment at the Aug. 26, 2025 Pulaski County Quorum Court meeting, residents raised concerns about the end of extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) protections, asked for guidance for unincorporated-area property owners, and requested better communications while the planning department and planning board work on land-use guidance.
Two residents used the public-comment period at the Pulaski County Quorum Court meeting on Aug. 26, 2025 to press the court for clearer timelines and protections for property owners following recent changes to extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) authority.
What residents said
- Brenda Henson, a county resident, asked whether the court has a timeline or plan for guidelines to protect property owners now that the county is no longer under the city's five-mile ETJ control. She described concerns such as unauthorized dumping and improvised structures that can affect neighboring properties and asked whether the court would publish interim guidance to reassure residents while a longer planning process proceeds.
- Wendell Griffin, another resident, said the time available after the state law change was too short for the planning department to act and that earlier anticipation and outreach would have been preferable. He noted the statutory timeline tied to the ETJ change and urged the court to have anticipated and mitigated risks to unincorporated-area residents.
How officials responded
- The court's chair and others said the court had called a special meeting earlier to consider the issue after ETJ changes and that the county had temporarily restored previous ETJ regulations "for at least the next five and a half months" (as stated in the meeting record) while further planning work proceeds.
- Officials and staff said the Planning Department is conducting a land-use study for unincorporated areas to inform where certain uses may be restricted or allowed. The court noted that creating a full code comparable to Little Rock's would be a lengthy process and encouraged residents to engage in planning-board meetings and follow county communications.
Information and contact points cited at the meeting
- The court said county communications and the county website and social media are used to publish notices and updates; residents were encouraged to check those resources for planning updates.
- County staff also told residents that Public Works can be contacted to report potential violations or concerns in unincorporated areas; the number cited in the meeting record was 340-6800.
- The Planning Board meets in the same room on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 2 p.m., and residents were invited to participate.
Why it matters
County residents in unincorporated areas said they need timely guidance and enforcement to protect property values and neighborhood conditions. County officials acknowledged both the short statutory timeline created by the ETJ change and the limited capacity of the Planning Department; officials encouraged public participation and said more formal land-use guidance would follow through the planning-board process.
