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Conway planning panel deadlocks 5–5, denies rezoning for mixed-use project on Daybore Drive
Summary
Neighbors told the Conway City Planning Commission a proposed mixed-use conversion at 3455 Daybore Drive would endanger seniors, overload a private driveway and worsen congestion; the commission deadlocked 5–5 and denied the rezoning, leaving the applicant 30 days to appeal to City Council.
The Conway City Planning Commission denied a rezoning request for 3455 Daybore Drive after neighbors raised safety and traffic concerns and commissioners split 5–5.
Staff said the applicant proposed rezoning about 0.86 acres from A-1 to O-1 to allow a two-story mixed-use building with roughly five quiet office units on the first floor and five apartments above. Based on the applicant’s estimates, staff said the mix could generate about 144 average daily trips. Ryan of city staff emphasized the commission was deciding only on land use; access, easements, curb cuts and site details would be handled later through development review and by agencies such as ARDOT and MetroPlan.
Residents who live on and around Dave Ward Drive urged the commission to reject the rezoning. Leslie Madison, who said her family has lived in Conway for decades, described steep driveway approaches and frequent collisions near the site and said a commercial use would reduce neighborhood safety and property values. Ernestine Ackland and other neighbors said the site shares or adjoins private driveways and easements and warned that additional vehicle trips would strain narrow access points used daily by older residents. Larry Ackland, who owns a local funeral home, also described safety concerns when exiting private driveways on the hill.
Applicant representative Lance Massey said the design aims for low-intensity office uses (lawyers, accountants) and studio apartments, that the plan would use one curb cut rather than multiple access points, and that the proposal had been discussed with planning staff. Massey said the project team was trying to limit impacts on neighbors.
After public comment the commission moved and seconded approval. During the vote several commissioners were called individually; the tally recorded five ‘aye’ votes and five ‘no’ votes, resulting in a tie and automatic denial. Staff told the applicant the family has 30 days from the date of the commission’s action to appeal the denial to the Conway City Council; should they not appeal within that period, the rezoning request cannot be filed again for 12 months.
What’s next: Because the commission voted only on zoning, any future site plan would still require development-review approvals, identification of easement ownership, and any needed approvals from ARDOT and MetroPlan for curb cuts or changes to access management.
