Planning commission approves rezoning at Granger Road to allow single-family house

The Conway Planning Commission on June 5 approved a rezoning request for approximately 0.33 acres at 11307 Granger Road, allowing the property to change from Highway Commercial to Low-to-Medium Density Residential (R-1) so the applicant may construct a single-family residence.

Planning staff said the parcel contains an older commercial building that was used as an auto garage and is currently classified as storage/warehousing, and that a previously existing legal nonconforming residence on the site had been removed. Staff noted that, per county land records, the lot corresponds to Lots 20 and 21 of a 1941 plat, and that the applicant may need to file a new plat to correct lot-line issues. Staff also said that demolition of the existing commercial structure may be required if the rezoning is approved, because commercial uses would not be permitted in R-1.

Applicant Celia Sands told the commission she represents the family that owned the property; she said the house on the lot has already been demolished and the family seeks to remove the remaining garage and build a single-family home. “What we want to do is really knock down the garage and build a house here,” Sands said.

A commissioner noted the character of Granger Road, citing street-level observations that most properties there are low-density residential, and moved to approve the rezoning. The motion passed unanimously, 5-0. Staff noted the rezoning is consistent with the city’s future land use map for the corridor; any plat corrections and required demolition will be addressed during permitting.