Planning board approves Cross Hydraulic Repair conditional use permit

The Washington County Planning Board on March 26 approved a conditional use permit allowing Cross Hydraulic Repair to operate a small hydraulic repair and maintenance business within an existing shop attached to a residence.

Lauren Shackelford, chair of the Washington County Planning Board, opened the Cross Hydraulic item and staff summarized the proposal: the business would occupy 0.25 acres of a 132‑acre property, operate Monday–Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and be run by the applicant as the sole employee. Staff said operations would be entirely indoors in an existing 50‑by‑50 shop with no new construction, and customer visits would be by appointment with a maximum of five customers per business day.

Applicant Michael Cross confirmed he owns the property and will be the sole employee. “Yes, sir,” he said when asked whether he would be the only operator. Planning staff highlighted that hydraulic fluids would be stored in sealed containers and that used fluids would be collected and disposed of by a licensed waste contractor in compliance with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality.

Board members asked procedural and safety questions and raised no objections. Chair Shackelford called for a motion to approve the permit; the motion passed by voice vote.

The approval allows Cross Hydraulic Repair to begin operations under the listed conditions, including ADEQ‑compliant handling of hydraulic fluids and the hours, employee and customer‑limit conditions described by staff. The applicant indicated no additional services or new utility connections are planned.