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Conway BZA denies variance for unpermitted Wren leasing office at 706 Highway 544
Summary
At its Nov. 20 meeting, the City of Conway Board of Zoning Appeals denied a variance request that would have allowed an unpermitted modular leasing office at 706 Highway 544 to continue operating without required site improvements and permits; staff had recommended denial.
The City of Conway Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) voted Nov. 20 to deny a variance request that would have allowed an unpermitted leasing and property-management office to operate at 706 Highway 544 without required site improvements and permits.
Kim, a City of Conway planning staff member, told the board the modular structure serving as the Wren's leasing office "was established without approval from the city of Conway and, therefore, has never received a City of Conway business license," and had unpermitted signs and additions. "Staff's recommendation is denial of this variance request," Kim said.
The staff presentation cited the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), noting the March 27 BZA meeting had granted a prior use variance with conditions that included obtaining a business license and all necessary permits and site improvements. Kim said the only permits the applicant has pulled are for signage and that staff never received a site plan showing the required buffer yard, landscaping and screening, parking, and street access called for under Article 12 of the UDO.
Board members said the facts did not satisfy the four findings required for a variance: that extraordinary conditions apply, that those conditions are unique to the parcel, that strict application of the ordinance unreasonably restricts use, and that granting relief would not harm adjacent properties or the public good. One member said allowing the request would create a precedent that would invite other noncompliant properties to seek similar relief.
Unidentified Speaker 3 moved to deny the variance; Unidentified Speaker 1 seconded. The board closed public input, the chair called the question and members voiced assent with no opposition, and the board denied the request.
The transcript does not record a roll-call with individual recorded votes. The meeting audio/minutes record the motion passing after a voice vote of "all those in favor" with "none" opposed.
Votes at a glance - Variance for 706 Highway 544 (Wren leasing office): Motion to deny carried (mover: Unidentified Speaker 3; second: Unidentified Speaker 1). The transcript records a voice vote in favor and no opposition; individual roll-call tallies are not specified in the transcript. - Minutes (Oct. 23) approved: voice vote after motion and second. - 2025 meeting schedule (includes Dec. 10 meeting): approved by voice vote.
What happens next The denial means the property must come into compliance with the City of Conway UDO and obtain required permits before zoning staff will sign off on a business license. Kim noted staff has not received the site plan and other documentation needed to demonstrate compliance.
