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Planning commission tables Wild River Country rezoning on Crystal Hill for traffic and environmental review
Summary
The commission tabled a request to rezone the former Wild River Country property from commercial to R-4 after dozens of residents urged studies on traffic, runoff and development scale; commissioners set a 60-day window for study parameters and a revised traffic report.
The North Little Rock Planning Commission voted to table a rezoning application for the former Wild River Country site on Crystal Hill, asking the applicant and neighborhood to submit a revised traffic study and lists of environmental-impact parameters within 60 days.
Thomas Pownell of Thomas Engineer described a proposal to convert the old Wild River Country site from commercial (C-3) to R-4 to allow a mix of townhomes and four-story apartments. "We would like to request to rezone to R-4," Pownell told the commission.
Residents pressed for more analysis. Tiffany Maltezzo, who said she lives on Prospect Trail, told the commission she had researched the project and asserted the developer is proposing 1,557 units, and that Crystal Hill Road lacks the capacity and flood protections for that scale of development. "It’s not feasible — we can't leave our neighborhood right now before these 1,500 units are built," Maltezzo said.
Terry Ayers and Susie Witkowski, who identified themselves as long-time residents and property owners in the area, urged thorough environmental and traffic study because of erosion, river proximity and historic flooding. Witkowski asked the commission to "develop wisely" and require an environmental-impact assessment and traffic analysis before rezoning.
Commissioners and staff agreed a traffic study is appropriate; planning staff said an earlier traffic study exists for a different proposed use and would need amendment. Commissioners also discussed what an "environmental study" would mean, with staff saying the city has limited mechanisms to require certain environmental studies but that applicants seeking ADEQ permits would have related information available.
Commissioner Chambers moved to table the application pending a revised traffic study and the submission of neighborhood and applicant lists defining the parameters of an environmental study; the motion was seconded and carried. The commission set 60 days for the traffic study and for providing lists describing environmental-impact issues and who would pay or conduct any study. The applicant said a traffic study can be completed in 60 days and that an environmental study would likely take longer.
Next steps: the applicant and neighborhood will submit the requested documents for staff review; the commission will reconsider the rezoning after receiving the materials and any staff analysis.
Vote (recorded at the meeting): motion to table — recorded as carried; commissioners present voted yes during roll call on tabling.
