Ward Planning Commission approves three replats, grants setback variance for existing house

At its Aug. 26, 2024 meeting the Ward Planning Commission approved multiple neighborhood lot adjustments and granted a single variance for an existing house that encroached on the platted front setback.

Lemons Engineering told the commission that two lots in Deerfield Estates phase six (lots 6 and 7) “touched just barely into the flood way,” and the firm proposed removing “a few feet off of the back of those two lots” to resolve the FEMA floodway concern and avoid issues with mortgage underwriters. Staff said the replat addressed the issue and the commission voted to approve the replat.

The commission also considered a replat for Magnolia West Lot 15. Staff and the applicant described adding a 10-foot easement on the north side and a transcribed “12T” easement on the south, and said they would retain a 25-foot building setback rather than moving it to 17 feet in order to preserve sight lines and prevent fences from advancing closer to the street. The replat passed the commission’s approval vote.

A separate variance request related to Magnolia West Lot 15 drew in-person testimony from the homeowners, Mr. and Mrs. Travis. The commission was told the house’s foundation and framing drifted during construction, creating an unintended encroachment over the building line. Lance Travis addressed the commission, explaining the error and saying, “I learn my lesson” about construction layout; commissioners asked questions and ultimately approved the variance to bring the existing house into compliance with the adjusted plat.

Bond Engineering presented a minor replat in Legacy Farms phase one to align two townhome lot lines with the built partition wall between attached units. Staff had no objections and the commission approved that replat as presented.

All motions were approved by voice votes; no roll-call tallies or recorded individual votes were stated on the record. City staff closed the meeting with administrative announcements — city offices closed for Labor Day, a UAMS mammography van visit to city hall on Sept. 17, the city council meeting on Sept. 17, and the next Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m. — and the commission adjourned.