Planning commission approves annexation of 43.05 acres on Sturgis Road despite service questions

The Conway Planning Commission voted Jan. 21 to recommend annexation of about 43.05 acres along Sturgis Road and to rezone the tract to R‑1 single‑family residential.

Planning staff said the property lies roughly 1,310 linear feet south of the city limits and that under R‑1 zoning the site would generate an estimated 2,358 vehicle trips per day. "The traffic impact would be significant; we're looking at 2,358 vehicle trips per day," staff stated during the public hearing. Staff also read into the record that an order from the Faulkner County court releases the land for annexation and that the applicant has coordinated with the Department of Transformation and Shared Services.

Applicant and owner Mitch Hart told commissioners he supports annexation to obtain city services and that he has discussed the proposal with several nearby residents; he said some neighbors declined to join the annexation. Commissioners and staff discussed contiguity and utility‑service limits: staff noted Conway Corp. can provide water service outside city limits in some circumstances but does not serve electric outside city limits, and Mayflower Water currently serves some adjacent customers—an issue the commission said could create additional complications if those parcels sought annexation.

Staff also described the applicant's proposed 50‑foot strip to connect the larger tract to the city and cited City of Conway annexation ordinance O‑22‑77 and state statutes governing annexation procedures. After questions and brief discussion, the commission moved and approved the annexation by voice vote; the action will be forwarded to city council for final action.

The commission recorded that letters of opposition were not received for this item at the time of the meeting. The next procedural step is consideration by Conway City Council, which staff noted could act as early as Jan. 28.