North Little Rock planning commission postpones Faulkner Crossing rezoning after neighbors cite flooding and traffic worries

The North Little Rock City Planning Commission unanimously postponed consideration of Rezone 2026-10 — a request to rezone land at the east end of Amerenst Drive in the Faulkner Crossing subdivision to allow about 429 new lots — and directed the applicant to return with additional studies and plat revisions.

Bear Davidson of Davidson Engineering, representing developer Stillwater Land Development, told the commission the proposal would create a mix of single-family homes and duplexes across roughly 429 lots, and that density in parts of the project would be about 5–6 units per acre. Davidson told commissioners the applicant has begun a sewer impact study and said the developer “understand[s] that any adverse impacts to the downstream system are our responsibility.”

Why it matters: Neighbors said the area has a history of flooding and inadequate drainage and argued the project could worsen existing problems. Forrest Friendly, a member of the Faulkner Crossing Property Owners Association and a commissioner of the North Little Rock Municipal Improvement District, told the panel the subdivision has long-standing drainage failures, recurring flooding during major storms and catch basins that do not drain properly. “We have been bombarded by improper drainage…there’s no place for the water to go,” Friendly said.

Residents also raised safety concerns about Amaranth Drive, a narrow single access point they said would serve the development, and questioned whether construction equipment and emergency vehicles would be able to operate safely.

Commissioner Chambers pressed the developer on open space, saying the proposed density is higher than surrounding areas and urging the inclusion of dedicated recreation spaces rather than relying solely on drainage green space. Davidson offered to reserve roughly 10 lots — broken into three locations and totaling several acres — in addition to drainage areas, and asked the commission to table the request for a month so the plat could be revised to show the recreational parcels. “We would accept it…if there’s a means to approve base contingent upon us adding 3 1‑acre recreational areas,” Davidson said.

The commission voted to postpone the rezoning for 30 days. Commissioners also approved a motion directing the applicant to:

- complete a sewer impact study and provide documentation of coordination with North Little Rock Wastewater, including a letter about system capacity; and - provide traffic and drainage studies addressing vehicle access on Amaranth Drive and other circulation concerns before the item returns to the commission.

Staff told the commission that the city’s planning and fire departments had already reviewed the site plan and submitted comments and that legal notice met the city’s 200‑foot mailing requirement for rezoning notification, though several neighbors said mailed notices and the posted sign did not reach or alert all nearby residents.

What’s next: The developer will revise the plat to show the proposed recreational areas, finish the sewer impact study and coordinate with North Little Rock Wastewater and staff; the rezoning and the associated plat were tabled until the commission’s next meeting.