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Fort Smith board approves rezoning at 721 N. Greenwood and changes allowing duplex driveway access on classified streets
Summary
The board adopted an ordinance rezoning 721 North Greenwood Avenue to permit single-family use and passed an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance allowing duplex driveway access onto classified streets; both items had 8-0 planning commission recommendations and passed the board 7-0 with emergency clauses.
The Fort Smith City Board of Directors on May 6 adopted two planning items: an ordinance rezoning property at 721 North Greenwood Avenue that will allow the existing building to be used as a single-family residence, and an amendment to the city's 2019 Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to permit duplex driveway access onto certain classified streets.
Why it matters: The rezoning lets the property owner use the existing structure as a residence consistent with zoning; the UDO amendment removes an access restriction that forced some property owners to seek variances to obtain building permits on classified streets.
Deputy City Administrator Maggie Rice told the board the planning commission held public hearings on April 8 and recommended both actions unanimously (8-0). Rice said a neighborhood meeting was held on Greenwood and no neighboring property owners attended. Jasmine Ortega represented the Greenwood item at the planning commission and appeared available to answer questions at the board meeting.
On the UDO amendment, Rice said planning staff were prompted to pursue the change after multiple subdivision variances were required to allow driveways for duplexes on classified streets. The amendment adds duplexes and clarifies that certain future minor arterial classifications were inadvertently omitted and should be included for access allowances. Staff consulted the engineering department and reported concurrence.
Board members asked whether allowing driveway access on classified streets could create safety or access problems; Rice and staff said qualifiers and engineering review within the UDO remain in place and the planning commission and engineering review would continue to control specific approvals.
Both ordinances were adopted with suspension of rules and both emergency clauses were approved by roll call. Each item passed 7 in favor and 0 opposed.
Ending: The rezoning and UDO amendment will take effect under emergency provisions; staff said property owners who previously sought variances may now pursue building permits under the amended code, subject to standard qualifiers and engineering review.
