Hot Springs board approves multiple rezonings, including 415 Quapaw and controversial Stover/Blair change
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Summary
The board adopted Ordinance O-26-12 to rezone 415 Quapaw Avenue and approved additional zoning map amendments to allow smaller-lot single-family infill (RN5→RN3). One Stover/Blair rezoning passed 5–2 after residents raised concerns about narrow streets, fire access and stormwater.
The Hot Springs Board of Directors approved several zoning map amendments on April 7, 2026, including Ordinance O-26-12 (415 Quapaw Avenue) and a pair of RN5-to-RN3 rezonings intended to enable smaller-lot single-family infill.
Planning and Development Director Kathy Kaffee Selman presented staff reports for the items, saying the proposed changes implement Forward Hot Springs 2040 housing goals and that the Planning Commission recommended approval 7–0 for each item after finding compatibility with surrounding development. For 415 Quapaw, Selman said the property owner proposes historic rehabilitation using tax credits to create two two‑story townhouses and that the change would correct a nonconforming commercial zoning designation.
On the larger RN5→RN3 requests (including an approximately 1.54-acre parcel near Stover, Blair and Kent Streets), residents and directors pressed on engineering and public‑safety issues. Pam Noble, a neighbor at 316 Stover, said the street is narrow and asked whether 11 houses facing Stover would overload the roadway and hamper first‑responder access. "If you have 11 structures facing Stover, which is a narrow street, you're gonna have either 11 cars or 22 cars," Noble said, arguing the existing stop signs and narrow widths pose safety and circulation concerns.
Applicant Lance Levy told the board he has a survey and plat showing 11 lots and that the houses would face Stover, but he cautioned the economics of required subdivision improvements: "If the city wants affordable housing but is looking to people like me to widen streets ... I'm not your person," Levy said, adding that mandatory street widening and utility upgrades could make the project economically infeasible.
The board adopted O-26-12 and the Fairmont/Delaware RN5→RN3 change by unanimous roll call. The Stover/Blair RN5→RN3 amendment passed 5–2 (Directors Beard and Dobbs Smith voted no), after directors noted that detailed subdivision, stormwater and public‑works requirements would be addressed during future site and subdivision review rather than at the zoning stage.
The ordinances change the applicable zoning districts and leave site‑level engineering, access, utilities and fire‑safety compliance to later development permitting and subdivision review.
