Fort Smith planning commission adopts UDO amendments to comply with Arkansas Act 314

The Fort Smith Planning Commission voted 8-0 to approve amendments to the city's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) so it conforms to Arkansas Act 314, which abolishes extraterritorial jurisdiction and planning areas across the state.

Planning staff told commissioners the changes are meant to align local code with state law ahead of the statute's effective date in August. "The UDO amendments this month are effectively making the UDO in compliance with Act 314," planning staff said, adding that whether or not the amendments are adopted locally, the state law would abolish the extraterritorial jurisdiction regardless.

The commission's approval was unanimous; the item will be presented to the Fort Smith Board of Directors at its regular meeting on Aug. 5 for final action. Planning staff reminded commissioners that master plan amendments and rezonings requiring five yes votes at the commission will also go to the Board of Directors for review.

Planning staff did not identify any outstanding conditions tied to the amendment vote. The action was presented as a clean-up to align local processes with the new state law rather than as a policy change to local permitting or development standards.

What happens next: The Board of Directors will review the amendments at a study session and at the Aug. 5 regular meeting. If the board approves, the city's UDO will reflect the state-mandated change to extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Speakers in the meeting who discussed the UDO amendments included Tyler Kaelin, planning staff, and members of the commission who participated in the roll-call vote.