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34‑lot Old Highway 68 subdivision proposed; officials flag hydrant spacing, access and septic timing
Summary
A 34‑lot subdivision on Old Highway 68 and Littrell Road would use private roads and primarily septic systems; county staff advised early PERC testing, confirmed county ownership of Old Highway 68, flagged hydrant spacing (within 400 feet), cul‑de‑sac and frontage standards, and suggested the applicant consider splitting the filing if owners want different lot sizes.
Cody Smith described a proposed 34‑lot single‑family subdivision at the intersection of Littrell Road and Old Highway 68 that would use private roads, extend watermain service from AR‑412 and place several 1–2 acre lots on individual septic systems. He said the site has steep topography and a ravine running through the middle.
Lonnie Harrell, the county fire marshal, said hydrants must be spaced within 400 feet of structures and calculated that the site could need about five hydrants. He also noted that cul‑de‑sac dimensions and turnaround requirements in the fire prevention code (Appendix D) apply and that two entrances are preferable for access and response. "Just make sure the hydrants are spaced out within the 400 foot of each house in there," Harrell said.
The Arkansas Department of Health recommended early soil PERC tests and engaging a septic designer because soils and lateral field limitations can change lot boundaries during development. Caroline Eastman told the applicant the Department of Health will perform subdivision review for this number of lots and can provide a list of soil testers and septic designers. Planning staff warned of lot‑shape and frontage constraints — minimum road frontage is typically 120 feet unless a specified exception applies — and raised concerns about lots that lack interior road access, which can cause issues for POA covenants and long‑term maintenance.
Road staff reminded the applicant to show right‑of‑way on surveys and obtain county driveway permits for connections to Old Highway 68 and Littrell; they confirmed Old Highway 68 had been transferred from state to county ownership decades ago. The applicant asked whether Littrell must be paved; road staff said the county will accept maintaining it as gravel unless the applicant opts to improve it.
Staff told the applicant to include a drainage report and utility letters with the submittal and said that, if the planning board votes to send the application to engineering, the county will forward plans to Carver for civil review. No vote was taken at the ERC meeting; staff and the applicant discussed next steps, data requirements and submittal timing for the planning board.
