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Board approves two rezonings: 5300 Heather Ridge PZD and 7208 Mahogany Avenue
Summary
The Fort Smith board unanimously approved a planned zoning district for 5300 Heather Ridge Street (nearly 17 acres, mixed‑use with two character areas) and rezoned 0.66 acres on Mahogany Avenue for a consulting business serving international students.
The Fort Smith Board approved two land‑use ordinances on March 3: a planned zoning district (PZD) for a roughly 17‑acre property at 5300 Heather Ridge Street and a rezoning for 0.66 acres at 7208 Mahogany Avenue.
Deputy City Administrator Maggie Rice summarized the Heather Ridge PZD as a two‑character‑area master plan that would allow mixed‑use residential and limited commercial uses, including up to 18,000 square feet of commercial space in a neighborhood‑oriented, walkable design. The Planning Commission recommended approval 8–0 after a neighborhood meeting that drew about seven nearby property owners who raised concerns about traffic, noise and a nearby gas well.
Developer representatives Jackson Goodwin and Trevor Harris described a walkable concept with sidewalks, small retail and services intended to serve residents — including families relocating through foreign military sales programs. Harris said several Finnish families already live in the development and additional international families are expected to arrive in coming months.
Board members asked for renderings and asked staff to confirm traffic and gas‑well mitigation steps. Directors noted the Planning Commission’s unanimous recommendation and expressed support for infill development; the board adopted the ordinance and the emergency clause on unanimous recorded votes.
On Mahogany Avenue, Rice said the rezoning to a transitional designation would allow continued use of an existing structure by a consulting business that serves international students; applicant Jeremy Davies represented the application at the planning meeting and the Planning Commission recommended approval 8–0. The board approved that ordinance and its emergency clause unanimously.
What’s next: staff will implement zoning permit reviews and any required site improvements tied to the PZD; developers and staff will continue neighborhood outreach on traffic and noise mitigation.
