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Conway board denies variance for leasing office at 706 Highway 544
Summary
On Nov. 20 the Board of Zoning Appeals denied a request to allow a leasing office at 706 Highway 544 to operate without required site improvements after city staff said the owner failed to obtain permits and a business license required under Conway's UDO.
On Nov. 20, the Board of Zoning Appeals denied a request to allow the leasing and property management office for the Wren at 706 Highway 544 to operate without the site improvements and permits required under the City of Conway's Unified Development Ordinance.
Kim, a City of Conway staff member, told the board the modular leasing office was established without commercial review, never obtained a City of Conway business license, and had unpermitted signs and additions. "Staff's recommendation is denial of this variance request," Kim said, noting the applicant has not submitted the site plan and permits required by the UDO.
The variance in question was previously granted at a March 27 BZA meeting with conditions: the business was allowed to continue as a single commercial use on the parcel only if the owner obtained a City of Conway business license and all necessary permits and site improvements. According to staff, the only permits pulled since that decision were for signage; the porch and other additions remain unpermitted.
Board members repeatedly questioned whether the case met the UDO's variance findings, including whether there were extraordinary or exceptional conditions unique to the parcel. Several members said the facts did not support the findings and expressed concern that approving the request now would set a precedent allowing other properties to remain noncompliant. One member noted the porch had been added without a permit and said the site's continued operation without licensing created a detriment to neighboring businesses that are in compliance.
Speaker 3 moved to deny the variance; Speaker 1 seconded. The board closed public input and called the vote. The motion carried on a verbal vote and the variance request was denied.
The board then took up routine business: it approved the proposed meeting schedule for the coming year and adjourned the session.
The denial leaves the applicant required to pursue the permits, site-plan approvals and a City of Conway business license if it wishes to resume lawful operation in that location.
