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Fort Smith planning bodies approve multiple variances, development plans and rezoning items in unanimous votes
Summary
The Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment approved a consent agenda, multiple variances, development plans and rezonings (including Houston Street and Mahogany Avenue items) by roll-call votes, each recorded as 8–0; staff outlined conditions including plotting and compliance with UDO provisions.
In a routine but busy session on Feb. 10, the Fort Smith Planning Commission and the Board of Zoning Adjustment approved a series of consent items, variances, rezonings and development plans by unanimous roll-call votes.
Items approved included the consent agenda (final plat at Brighton Park and a conditional use at 7712 Taylor Avenue), a variance and companion development plan for a multifamily project at 9200 Houston Street that reduces the enhanced side-yard setback from 30 to 15 feet (variance 5-2-26), and a set of companion approvals for 7208 Mahogany Avenue (variance 6-226, rezoning to Transitional, and development plan 3-26) to allow a consulting-services business for international student documentation.
Staff presentation for the Houston Street item noted the applicant cited multiple easements — including a 50-foot sanitary sewer easement — that reduce buildable area and justify the requested setback relief; staff recommended approval contingent on development-plan compliance, drainage and landscape requirements, and adherence to MCAOD and sound transmission class ratings for residential construction. Applicant Chad Cox said a standard 6-foot privacy fence would be used adjacent to single-family lots and that an 8-foot fence was unnecessary.
For the Mahogany Avenue item, city staff (Miss Cannon) described the use as consulting services for foreign exchange student documentation; staff recommended approval contingent on plotting the property before issuance of a building permit and on compliance with the UDO section 27-3-307 for allowable development plan changes.
All roll-call tallies recorded eight in favor and zero opposed. Commissioners and staff noted the approvals carry conditions and that plotting and final engineering or drainage plans remain prerequisites to permit issuance.
What’s next: Planning staff will record approvals, require final platting where specified, and process any appeals to the City Board of Directors as necessary.
