Jonesboro MAPC gives favorable recommendations for four rezoning requests; conditional use denied

The Jonesboro Metropolitan Area Planning Commission on Jan. 14 voted to forward four rezoning requests to the City Council with favorable recommendations and set conditions; the commission also denied a conditional use application for a storage facility on Elmhurst Drive (see separate article).

The rezoning recommendations forwarded to council (all require final action by City Council) were:

- 5622 South Caraway Road (Westcott Enterprises LLC): Rezoning from R‑1 (single‑family medium density) to C‑3 (general commercial) with a limited use overlay prohibiting recreational vehicle parks. The commission recommended approval and noted standard conditions: compliance with city engineer requirements, stormwater/drainage rules, and a required final site plan review by the planning department. (Applicant: Wes Thornton.)

- 55 100 Stadium Boulevard (application listed as 55100 Stadium Boulevard, applicant Jim/ Tammy Heatherly): Rezoning from R‑1 to I‑2 (general industrial) for 6.5 acres. Staff recommended approval subject to engineering, stormwater and final site plan requirements; the commission issued a favorable recommendation.

- 2926 Wood Street (Our Savior Lutheran Church): Rezoning of 0.81 acres from R‑1 to C‑3 with a limited use overlay. The limited use overlay included prohibited uses (listed by staff) such as gas fueling stations, off‑premise billboard/signs, vehicle repair, animal care uses, and adult entertainment. Proponent Danny Burns told the commission the church currently has no specific redevelopment plan for the parcel and is pursuing rezoning to facilitate a potential future sale. Neighbors expressed concern about traffic, children crossing at nearby bus stops, and the loss of residential character. The commission recommended approval subject to the stated conditions.

- 1006 Warren Street (Carrington Morehouse): Rezoning from R‑1 to RM‑12 (residential multifamily) for roughly 5.5 acres. Proponent Jim Grambling said the conceptual submittal showed up to 60 units but noted floodplain on the site means the final unit count will likely be lower after detention and grading requirements are addressed. Staff recommended approval with the usual stipulations (city engineer review, stormwater, floodplain compliance, and final site plan review) and the commission gave a favorable recommendation.

For each rezoning the commission’s standard conditions included meeting city engineering requirements, complying with the city’s stormwater drainage design manual and floodplain rules, and submitting an approved final site plan before redevelopment. The planning staff repeated that favorable recommendations from MAPC require the applicants to secure a City Council hearing and that items must be placed on council agendas (applicants were told to get on the city council agenda before Thursday at 10:00 a.m.).

Public comment was recorded at the 2926 Wood Street hearing: Robert Rubinstein and Sherry Cartwright, both neighborhood residents, said they received certified notice but not direct outreach or neighborhood meetings, and they expressed concerns about traffic, children crossing at bus stops and possible commercial encroachment into a residential area. Danny Burns, representing Our Savior Lutheran Church, said the church was seeking rezoning partly to allow a future sale of that portion of its property and that there are no immediate plans for redevelopment.

Clarifying details recorded in the meeting: acreage (5622 S Caraway — 1.5 acres; 55100 Stadium Blvd — 6.5 acres; 2926 Wood St — 0.81 acres; 1006 Warren St — 5.5 acres), staff stipulations (city engineer, stormwater and floodplain compliance, and final site plan review prior to redevelopment), the limited use overlay prohibitions listed by staff for 2926 Wood Street, and the repeated instruction that applicants must appear on the City Council agenda before Thursday at 10:00 a.m. to advance the rezoning.

The commission’s favorable recommendations do not enact zoning changes; the items will proceed to the City Council for final action.