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Planning Commission approves Chennault/Pinnacle land‑use changes; wetlands protection and future 404 process noted
Summary
The commission approved land‑use plan amendments and related rezoning in the Chennault and Pinnacle planning districts. Applicant and staff said wetlands and 'waters of the U.S.' delineations will be completed and mitigations performed before development plans are finalized.
The Little Rock Planning Commission voted Oct. 9 to approve proposed land‑use plan amendments in the Chennault and Pinnacle planning districts that reclassify tracts to commercial, park/open space and mixed‑use designations and authorize related rezoning.
Tim Datters, a consultant engineer representing the applicant, explained the change is an early, preliminary step and said the proposal sets aside floodway and open‑space areas. He told the commission a formal delineation of wetlands and waters of the U.S. will be completed and any impacts would proceed through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 permitting process, with mitigation on‑ or off‑site as needed.
Property owner Gene Pfeiffer said prior investments (street construction and a traffic signal) support planned connectivity. Datters added the plan envisions pedestrian and bicycle linkages to the former Rock Island railroad corridor and a future bikeway connection north of the parcels.
Commissioner Russell had previously raised concerns about subdividing land near wetlands and the need for environmental study; Datters and the applicant said a delineation and 404 permitting will be performed before any final development plans are approved. The commission approved both items with the staff recommended conditions.
What the commission approved
- Land‑use plan amendment reclassifying parcels in the Chennault/Pinnacle area to allow commercial, park/open space and mixed‑use designations. - Associated rezoning requests (O‑2, C‑3, OS in the record) tied to the amended land‑use map.
Staff and applicant commitments
- The applicant will commission wetland/waters delineation and follow required 404 permitting if waters of the U.S. would be impacted. - Floodway and open‑space areas are recognized in the application and intended to be set aside as open space in future plans. - The development concept includes potential street and pedestrian/bike connections to existing infrastructure, including a path toward the former Rock Island railroad corridor.
Speakers and roles
Speakers included Tim Datters (engineering consultant), property owner Gene Pfeiffer, Monty (planning staff) and commissioners. Datters and Pfeiffer described prior right‑of‑way and infrastructure work and pledged environmental permitting and mitigation where required.
The approvals clear the way for later detailed development plans; environmental delineation and permitting remain prerequisite steps before construction.
