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Commission grants Maverick variances for Mayflower fuel site, including interstate sign and taller onsite sign
Summary
The commission approved several variances and signage permits allowing Maverick to place an interstate-facing high-rise sign, a 35-foot onsite pole sign and directional signage for a new fuel site, while noting DOT coordination and permitting requirements.
Mayflower, Ark. — The Mayflower Planning Commission on July 8 approved multiple variances and signage requests for a proposed Maverick fuel site within the city’s overlay district, clearing several local regulatory hurdles while flagging necessary state reviews and design steps.
Maverick representatives and site engineers requested exceptions to overlay rules (including a build-to depth variance), permission to erect an interstate-facing high-rise sign near the highway (approximately 120 feet tall), replacement of an existing monument sign with a roughly 35-foot pole sign, and two directional/wayfinding signs at site driveways. Commissioners and staff said the variances were expected given the site’s previous approvals and the overlay’s restrictions.
On the interstate sign, staff and Maverick said the sign will sit on a leased parcel owned by the Ashley group roughly 1,000 feet southwest of the main site; commissioners noted a private lease or documentation from the property owner would be required for the public record. The commission approved the offsite sign variance by roll-call vote after staff confirmed a lease arrangement clarified offsite-location concerns.
Commissioners also approved the onsite pole sign (replacement of the planned monument sign) and two directional signs intended to separate truck and auto circulation. Staff emphasized these directional signs required a variance because the overlay ordinance does not explicitly list such wayfinding signs; the commission approved them on safety and circulation grounds.
Maverick and staff reiterated that Arkansas Department of Transportation review and approval will be required for any roadway widening or turning-lane work on Interstate Drive, and that DOT design approvals, traffic studies and final site plans must precede construction. Maverick representatives described the facility as a 'fuel-and-go' site with limited long-term truck parking (a small number of future dedicated heavy-truck stalls are conceptual and not part of initial construction), not a full truck stop with 24/7 truck parking and services.
Staff said additional technical items flagged by commissioners — including sign siting distances relative to the Clayton Homes parcel, mitigation for lighting and glare, and foundation constructability where utilities exist — will be addressed during the final permitting and plan-review phases. Commissioners asked staff to secure lease documentation or similar proof that Maverick has legal authority to place the interstate sign on the Ashley-owned parcel and to ensure conditions addressing safety, visibility and DOT coordination are met before permits are issued.
The commission approved the requested variances and signage motions by recorded and voice votes. Commissioners noted the approvals allow the developer to move forward to design and permitting steps; they emphasized all DOT, engineering and site-plan approvals remain prerequisites for construction.
