Conway planning commission approves multiple subdivision plans and rezones; grants Country Manor modification
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Summary
At its December meeting the Conway Planning Commission approved preliminary plans and rezoning requests including the Reserve at Elmhurst and Country Manor Phase 8 design‑modification; staff will forward rezones to council and will draft UDO amendment options on vape shops and payday lenders.
The Conway Planning Commission approved multiple subdivision plans and rezoning requests at its December meeting, voting to recommend annexation or preliminary approvals and forwarding rezoning recommendations to city council.
The commission approved preliminary plan approval for the Reserve at Elmhurst, a proposed 125‑lot single‑family subdivision off Oak Street, contingent on addressing any outstanding Technical Review Committee comments. Planning staff said the proposal includes three new street names (Everly Pass, Hartwell Drive and Winslow Bend) and that the project is part of the larger Elmhurst development. Developer representative Manny Walsh said the project has "wetland impacts, less than half an acre," and that "we are providing a 25 foot wetland buffer along this property as negotiated with the Army Corps of Engineers." Staff told commissioners a national wetland permit had been applied for and was effectively approved pending a small update.
The commission also voted to approve several annexation and rezoning items that will be forwarded to council for first reading Jan. 5, including a rezoning request to change a parcel on North Main/Highway 701 from residential to Highway Commercial and small residential annexations tied to utility service in the Quail Creek and College Park areas. Applicant Joey Singleton appeared for the Highway 701 rezoning and the public hearing drew no speakers; Commissioner Slack recused himself from that hearing.
On Country Manor Phase 8, the commission approved design modifications that reduce the amount of required open space for an 11‑lot completion of the long‑paused phase and eliminate the fee‑in‑lieu requirement if the modifications are accepted. Staff said Phase 8 had preliminary approval in 2008 but vested rights had lapsed; project representatives said the homeowners association is effectively defunct, a private pond/retention area exists, and stormwater modeling shows the existing pump and plan can accommodate the additional lots. Project representative Matt McCurry said "our models did show that that pump was sufficient to handle the excess drainage" from the additional lots. Representatives and staff stressed that any final approvals are contingent upon TRC sign‑off and required permitting.
Votes at a glance
- Approval of Nov. 6, 2025 meeting minutes: motion carried by voice vote (individual votes not specified in transcript). - Reserve at Elmhurst (preliminary plan approval, contingent on TRC): approved by voice vote; staff to finalize technical comments. - Rezoning (North Main/Highway 701 to Highway Commercial): commission recommended approval; forwarded to council for first reading Jan. 5 (voice vote; Slack recused from the hearing). - Annexation and rezoning items (Quail Creek parcel; 5007 Presbyterian Drive; 801 Donald Street): motions approved by voice vote; zoning recommendations to council. - Country Manor Phase 8 design modifications (open space reduction and related waivers): motion approved by voice vote; contingent on TRC review and permitting.
The meeting record shows motions and seconds for each item and chair‑called voice votes; the transcript records "Aye" responses but does not list individual roll‑call votes or numeric tallies. Staff advised that final technical reviews, permitting and any necessary easements must be resolved before plats or building permits are finalized. The commission set the next regular meeting for Jan. 8.
