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Commission tables rezoning for 3411 East Street after neighbor requests plat review
Summary
The commission tabled CoWard Investments’ request to rezone 3411 East Street to a PUD for five duplexes until January so the developer can submit a preliminary plat; nearby property owners raised concerns about access, egress, and property-value impacts.
The Texarkana Arkansas Planning Commission voted to table a rezoning request for 3411 East Street until its January meeting after neighbors asked to see the developer’s preliminary plat before rezoning.
Chair (S1) introduced the request by CoWard Investments to rezone the 5-acre site from C-3 Open Display Commercial to a planned unit development to allow five duplexes. Staff (S4) described the property, said two existing buildings will be demolished, noted a 6-inch water line on the north side of Highway 71 and that the developer will seek an Arkansas Department of Transportation permit to bore under 71 for the connection, and said perk tests and a site plan (with septic fields) are in the packet.
Several commissioners and staff clarified technical items: the cul-de-sac had been enlarged to 96 feet to meet the fire department’s requirement, and the applicant must submit a preliminary plat in January. Nearby residents asked the commission to delay the rezoning decision until they could review that plat. Tracy Harris (S5), representing family heirs of the neighboring property at 3417 East Street, said the family is not opposed to redevelopment but asked that the commission not approve rezoning before the plat is available so neighbors can assess impacts on access, egress and property values. "I'm respectfully gonna ask that you consider, yay or nay vote on it to approve it as far as the rezoning until we have the plan in front of us and can properly respond to what that actually looks like on access and egress," Harris said.
Doug Rhodes (S7), a resident at 3500 East Street, expressed similar concerns about mixing single-family and multifamily zoning, noting long-term upkeep risks if rentals change hands: "If the wrong landlord comes in and doesn't take care of the property, it will definitely affect those homes," he said.
After public comment, a motion to table the rezoning request to the January meeting carried by roll call; the clerk recorded yes votes from Anita Pickett, Dr. Hickerson, Chris Owens, Corey Mobbs and Chairman Neal.
Staff reiterated that the developer must return with the preliminary plat in January and that if the plat changes significantly it must return to the commission for additional review. The item was tabled rather than approved, preserving commissioners’ ability to review the plat before acting on rezoning.
