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North Little Rock planning commission approves rezoning of 33-acre Highway 165 tract over neighborhood objections
Summary
The North Little Rock Planning Commission voted 5–4 to rezone the west half of a 33-acre tract along Highway 165 to light industrial (I-2), while leaving the east half R-1; neighbors urged preservation of a residential buffer and raised concerns about traffic, property values and an eagle nest.
The North Little Rock Planning Commission approved a rezoning for a 33-acre tract along Highway 165, moving the west portion to I-2 while leaving the east side as R-1, after a 5–4 vote at the planning meeting.
Norman Clifton, the applicant, told the commission he is representing a prospective buyer who wants the west 23 acres rezoned to I-2 to match adjacent property and leave the half that borders the housing project as R-1. "He wants to go back to I-2 that will match up his property next door," Clifton said when describing the buyer's plan.
Neighbors urged a different approach. Steven Hart, who said he lives in nearby Cypress Crossing, told commissioners the neighborhood wants developments that “people will be proud to move to North Little Rock” and warned against small, high-density housing. "We're a community ... we care; we're not a housing project," Hart said during public comment.
Eric Grasberry, a disabled veteran, said the peace and quiet of the neighborhood was important to his health and asked planners to consider the community character. "I wouldn't want my property value to go down," he said. Ed Williams added an environmental concern, telling the commission there is an active bald eagle nest within about 660 feet of the proposed change and that the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is aware.
Commissioners discussed alternatives, including zoning to I-1 with a conditional use allowing the specific transit-warehouse operations proposed by the buyer. Planning staff told the commission that banks commonly resist lending where conditional-use restrictions are attached to a rezoned property, which the applicant cited as a reason for seeking straight I-2 zoning.
After discussion about buffer widths and the potential future conversion of the remaining R-1 parcel, the commission called the roll. The clerk recorded votes from commissioners called during roll call; the motion to approve the rezoning carried by a 5–4 margin. The commission chair reminded the public that the item is a recommendation to the City Council and "it has to go to the city council" for final approval.
Next steps: the commission’s decision is a recommendation; the rezoning will be considered by the North Little Rock City Council in a future meeting, where opponents and proponents can also appear.
Vote (recorded at the meeting): Banks — yes; Glasgow — no; Chambers — yes; Foster — yes; Phillips — no; Pierce — yes; Reverend Robinson — yes; Wallace — no; Chairman White — no.
