Pryor Creek planning commission tables rezoning request for James Derek Palmer’s proposed RV park

The Pryor Creek Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to table a rezoning request by James Derek Palmer to convert property from Agricultural (AG) to Commercial Automotive Recreation (C) for an RV park, saying the applicant must first submit plats, site plans and floodplain documentation.

At a public hearing the commission—after testimony from a neighbor’s representative—said it lacked sufficient materials to determine whether the proposal complies with the city’s comprehensive plan and floodplain rules. "It's our position that the proposal fails a comprehensive plan because the site is designated as agricultural land," said Tyler Stevens, who identified himself as representing neighboring landowner Tracy Bower and listed concerns about floodplain risk, lighting, traffic and visual impacts.

The chair, who presided over the hearing, stressed the commission’s limited role and the separate responsibility of the city’s floodplain administrator. "We are just a recommending board. We recommend up; city council is the final decision maker," the chair said, and warned that noncompliance with floodplain requirements "could affect our FEMA funding for public assistance." The chair identified Bill Smith as the city’s certified floodplain manager and said any formal floodplain review must come through that office.

Commissioners said they wanted a detailed plat and drawings showing access, buffering, fencing and flood mitigation before advancing. Several members noted the packet materials online were unclear about the location of proposed residential areas and the rezoning footprint. Commissioners discussed whether to wait until the next regular meeting or call a special meeting once the applicant submits the requested documents.

A motion to table—made and seconded at the hearing—passed with recorded votes in favor from Denim, Gibbs, Erdman and Nance. The chair said staff would accept materials from the applicant, include them in a packet and either place the item on the next regular meeting agenda (the commission noted May 7, 2026 as the next scheduled meeting) or call a special meeting under state rules if needed.

The hearing also included a procedural clarification about mailed notice: staff explained the city uses a 300-foot radius search based on assessor records handled by a third-party title company to determine who receives mailed notice, and that a sign was posted by the building inspector. Stevens said his client had not received mailed notice and raised that as an additional concern.

The commission did not take a final position on the rezoning; it tabled the request pending the submission of plats, site plans and floodplain documentation and left scheduling open to accommodate a special meeting if the applicant provides materials before the next regular meeting.