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Jonesboro council adopts several ordinances, approves campus private‑club permit; several zoning items move forward
Summary
At its July 15 meeting the council adopted multiple ordinances including a private‑club permit for the ‘Den Zone’ at ASU property, approved several zoning changes and set other items for further readings. Public commenters raised concerns about underage access and tree loss tied to new development.
The Jonesboro City Council on July 15 approved multiple ordinances and advanced others after brief discussion and public comment.
The council adopted the consent agenda at the start of the meeting by voice vote. Later in the meeting, members voted to adopt Ordinance 25‑019, granting a private‑club permit to H.J. Holdings doing business as the Den Zone of Jonesboro. The council also adopted Ordinance 25‑020 (zoning changes for property at 4700 Industrial Drive) and Ordinance 25‑022 (a rezoning amendment involving Greensboro Village) after a council amendment clarifying a triggering condition for a multifamily parcel.
Several other ordinances were advanced but not decided at final reading: Ordinance 25‑026 (first reading; ordinance to approve a private‑club permit for Slate Association doing business as Rock and Roll Sushi) and Ordinance 25‑027 (first reading; zoning change at 500 North Culverhouse Street) were each moved to second reading. Earlier items including Ordinance 25‑018, 25‑023 and 25‑024 were moved forward to third reading for later final votes.
Public comments addressed two campus‑adjacent private‑club permits and a development’s tree removal. James Sullivan Hines spoke against Ordinance 25‑026, urging the council to “show respect for the voters” of Craighead County and not pass the permit; he referenced county preferences for staying dry. James Owen Hines urged the council to reject Ordinance 25‑019, saying the location’s proximity to underage people could increase underage alcohol access and referring to an earlier agreement limiting alcohol sales to certain sports complexes. Supporters of 25‑019 included Jason Willett, who described the applicant’s nonprofit status and charitable aims, and Jerry Raper, who said he has coordinated with Arkansas State University and described proposed menu, hiring plans and ID‑scanning procedures; Raper said the nonprofit was founded Feb. 27, 2018, and that the project would hire about 20–25 employees, predominantly students.
In business related to Greensboro Village, Gary Harpool (representing Greensboro Investments LLC and Hammerhead Contracting and Development LLC) explained an amendment that conditions a multifamily parcel transfer on Hammerhead’s acquisition of Lot 38, a trigger the council added before adopting Ordinance 25‑022.
No roll‑call tallies linked to named council members were recorded in the public transcript; motions to adopt were made and seconded and carried by voice vote where recorded. The meeting record shows the council used standard procedural steps — suspension of rules for title reading on some first readings, advancement of ordinances from first to second reading, and adoption on third reading where noted.
