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Board rejects cross-access waiver for Tractor Supply after liability concerns
Summary
After extensive discussion about traffic and maintenance liability on a heavily used private drive, the planning board declined a cross-access variance for the Tractor Supply site; neighbors and the developer raised concerns about shared maintenance and insurance obligations.
The Jonesboro Planning Board voted against approving a cross-access variance that would have formalized a connection between the Tractor Supply site and an adjacent private drive. Developer Jake Butler said they were willing to allow cross access but only with a shared maintenance and insurance agreement; without those protections, Butler said "if we give access, that's all now shared," and that Tractor Supply feared exposure to liability and maintenance costs.
Nearby property owner Philip Barr told the board he has buildings nearby that were constructed without cross access and questioned whether the ordinance has been applied consistently: "I don't know if this just became ordinance, but...Checkers was built...and there's no cross access there." Several board members and staff acknowledged the ordinance's intent to reduce cut-through traffic on Caraway Avenue but said liability and the heavy existing use of the private drive (including postal trucks and hotel traffic) made the proposed cross access problematic. A motion to put the cross-access variance on the floor was called and the roll-call vote resulted in several members voting 'no'; the measure did not pass.
Board members asked the applicant to consider an alternative driveway design (a larger entrance on Caraway) and for staff to provide vehicle-count data if needed. The applicant said the cross-access denial is a critical factor in the timeline and financing for the Tractor Supply relocation.
