Board grants variance to extend Carter Lane by 20 feet without curb and gutter

The Jonesboro Board of Adjustments voted to grant a variance allowing a 20-foot extension of Carter Lane without curb and gutter so an applicant can develop two homes on adjoining lots.

The vote followed a presentation from Dorel Esparza, who said he was representing his father and that the rear lot “is missing 20 [feet] of street frontage” needed to meet the 60-foot requirement and that the plan is to extend the road. Esparza said the existing dead-end street “does not” have curb and gutter and that the extension would be paved to match the current roadway.

Board staff responded that the requested 20-foot extension ties into an existing substandard road and that the staff view — based on prior cases — is to avoid requiring a full new curb-and-gutter section where the adjoining road does not meet that standard. A motion to grant the variance passed on a roll call with all members voting yes.

The variance applies only to the narrow frontage shortfall described in the applicant’s request; the board did not adopt additional conditions on design or materials in the hearing record. The applicant and staff were instructed about the normal permit review steps that follow a variance approval.

The board’s decision was announced immediately after the roll call and no additional appeals or remands were recorded in the transcript.