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Fort Smith board approves multiple rezones, club license and consent items; mixed vote on solar assignment
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Summary
On June 3 the Fort Smith Board adopted two rezoning ordinances, a private club license transfer and most consent agenda items; one consent item (solar service agreement assignment) drew two no votes.
The Fort Smith City Board of Directors on June 3 approved multiple ordinances and consent items during its regular meeting, adopting emergency clauses where indicated.
Key votes at a glance - Ordinance rezoning property at 1017 Kavanaugh Road to residential single-family duplex medium-high density to allow construction of a duplex. Planning Commission recommended 7–0; Board vote to adopt with suspension and emergency clause: 7–0. - Ordinance amending the master land-use and zoning maps for property at 7201 Texas Road to residential multifamily medium density for a duplex. Planning Commission recommended 7–0; Board vote to adopt with suspension and emergency clause: 7–0. - Ordinance approving transfer of a private club license for 301 Garrison Avenue (business reported as Heroes relocating from 1002 Garrison Avenue). Board vote to adopt: 7–0. - Consent agenda: Five items were presented together (River Valley Communications Center operating budget for 2025; renewal of Microsoft enterprise agreement; assignment of solar service agreements to BluePath Finance; change order for Phoenix Avenue street overlay; ARDOT agreement for infrastructure at Ebbing Air National Guard Base). The full consent package passed; however item 6C (assignment of the city's solar service agreements to BluePath Finance) drew two no votes and was recorded as 5 in favor and 2 opposed for that specific item.
Several ordinances included adoption of emergency clauses to make actions effective immediately; emergency clauses for the two rezoning ordinances and the Arcoma suspension were adopted by recorded vote as indicated in the minutes.
Presenters and staff: Deputy City Administrator Maggie Rice introduced the rezoning items; Brett Abbott represented the 1017 Kavanaugh application, Gladys Perez represented the 7201 Texas Road application; Chief Financial Officer Andy Richards presented the private club license transfer.
Board members had no substantive questions on the rezones and the club license; the planning commission had no opposition at their hearings. The consent agenda item about solar financing prompted questions from Director Kemp about federal grant pauses and from a community speaker who supported the city’s planned energy savings.
Formal outcomes and next steps: Adopted ordinances will be recorded in city records and the emergency clauses make applicable permits effective immediately. The consent agenda actions direct staff to proceed with the authorized contracts and change orders; staff will follow normal procurement and contract assignment procedures, with additional reporting on any material changes.
