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Commission approves master land use plan amendment and PZD rezoning for North Greenwood/May Ave parcels
Summary
The commission approved a master land use amendment and companion PZD rezoning to convert three parcels near North Greenwood and May Avenue to a Planned Zoning District that divides the site into two character areas — neighborhood commercial and more intensive auto‑oriented services — with conditions for screening, fencing and vehicle work inside buildings.
The Fort Smith Planning Commission voted Jan. 13 to approve a master land use plan amendment and a companion Planned Zoning District (PZD) rezoning for parcels on North Greenwood Avenue and May Avenue. The application, presented by staff for agents at Satterfield Land Surveyors on behalf of Samuel and Petra Salas, covers roughly 1.03 acres and seeks to change the master plan designation to mixed‑use employment and rezone the parcels to a PZD that creates two character areas: a neighborhood‑facing area (retail, bridal/gift shops, automobile show lot) and a rear area for more intensive auto service uses.
Staff emphasized that the PZD approach allows the city to tailor permitted uses and require higher material standards and use limitations that address neighborhood concerns. Conditions recommended and adopted include opaque fencing adjacent to residential areas, perimeter landscaping in compliance with the UDO, a requirement that all vehicle work occur inside enclosed buildings, and a 30‑day limit for vehicles awaiting repair to address visual impacts. Staff also said no new building construction is proposed by the application and that parking and paved show‑lot requirements are specified in the project booklet.
Commissioners questioned why a PZD was chosen over conventional zoning (C‑5 or I‑1); staff replied that the PZD permits removing certain C‑5 allowances and establishing neighborhood protections. The commission approved the plan‑map amendment and rezoning with staff recommendations in recorded votes.
