Hot Springs Planning Commission approves two site plans, recommends zoning change for Section Line Way and backs new landscape code

The Hot Springs Planning Commission approved two site plans and recommended a zoning map amendment at its Aug. 14 meeting, and unanimously forwarded a revised landscape code to the Board of Directors for adoption.

The actions affect a proposed five-barn expansion at Oak Lawn Park, a proposed Garland County senior citizens building on approximately 4.76 acres at about 170 Section Line Way, and citywide landscaping regulations. The measures were approved on motions to accept staff findings and recommendations and will now proceed to the Board of Directors or to required permitting processes.

Planning staff presented site plan application 25084 for 185 Golf Links Road, an Oak Lawn Park project to construct five new horse barns in two phases, and site plan application 25100 for a new Garland County senior citizens building on about 4.76 acres. Director Selman read conditions into the record that include requirements that construction follow the approved site and development plans; compliance with applicable codes including the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code; fully shielded downcast exterior lighting; stormwater calculations for any Phase 2 barns submitted at building permit stage; separate permit applications to the City Engineering and Stormwater Departments where required; an engineered animal-waste retention system approved by the City Public Works Director before permitting Buildings 3, 4, or 5; and that large-scale development approvals expire in one year (on 08/14/2026) unless extended by the Director of Planning and Development.

"This approval will expire on 08/14/2026," Director Selman said when reading the conditions for large-scale developments. The commission voted to approve the consent agenda containing both site plans by recorded roll call (Gerke; Walker; Bowe; Lamont; Davis; Ramey; Stafford — all voting yes).

On the zoning application, staff introduced RZ25099, a request by Garland County (represented by Daniel George of Craft and Toll) to change zoning on roughly 4.76 acres at approximately 170 Section Line Way from CG (General Commercial) to INST (Institutional). In the staff report, Selman said the INST district "is intended to accommodate larger governmental uses, public and private educational facilities, civic and cultural facilities, healthcare institutions, places of worship, and similar institutions within a more campus like environment." Daniel George, the applicant's engineer, said the project was "a good addition to our community." The Planning Commission voted to recommend that the Board of Directors adopt an ordinance to amend the zoning map (roll call: Walker; Bell; Lamont; Davis; Ramek; Durkee; Stafford — recorded as approving).

The Planning Commission then moved to consider ordinance O A 25104, a rewrite of the city's landscape regulations appearing in Title 16 of the Hot Springs Code. Selman summarized the update process: current regulations were adopted on Feb. 18, 2014, the commission held work sessions in April, May and June and produced a draft 3.5 that was reviewed by the Urban Forestry Advisory Committee, which recommended approval at its July 22 meeting. Selman told commissioners the committee reviewed and unanimously recommended the new regulations. With no members of the public signed up to speak, the commission voted to forward the ordinance to the Board of Directors (Val; Lamont; Davis; Ramey; Gerke; Walker; Stafford — recorded as approving).

What the commission approved are recommendations and development approvals that will require permits, engineering review, and, where applicable, Board of Directors action. The rezone recommendation will be considered by the Board of Directors; large-scale site plan approvals are effective for one year unless extended by the director. Stormwater and other technical permits must be obtained before construction begins.