Council denies Crabtree sidewalk waiver, approves fee-in-lieu for Long's HVAC

Conway — The City Council on June 1 split on two sidewalk waivers brought under the city's unified development ordinance.

For the Village at Crabtree, staff asked the council to deny a waiver of roughly 566 linear feet of sidewalks because the site is adjacent to existing residential subdivisions, nearby multifamily developments and Whittemore Park Middle School—conditions that indicate foreseeable pedestrian connectivity and clear public benefit from completing a continuous sidewalk network. "Staff does not believe the standard for a waiver of the installation of sidewalks has been met in this case," planning staff said. A council motion to deny the waiver carried unanimously; staff noted a fee-in-lieu would have been $18,678 if a waiver had been granted.

On a separate waiver for Long's HVAC on Highway 378, staff recommended approval of a fee-in-lieu of $8,745. Planning staff said future roadway widening under the Brookhaven plan and the absence of a connected pedestrian network made the proposed sidewalk an isolated segment with no meaningful connections; under the ordinance, that condition supports a waiver and payment of the fee. Council approved the staff recommendation, again in a unanimous vote.

Council members asked about the timing of road-widening and coordination with the state Department of Transportation; staff said coordination with DOT is underway and that reconstruction could occur in a few years, which factored into the recommendation for the Highway 378 parcel.

Both decisions were framed as site-specific determinations tied to connectivity and public benefit, not changes to the underlying sidewalk policy.