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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-05-04 MinutesMINUTES OF A SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING/ A Special Meeting of the Planning Commission was held to discuss recommended revisions to the General Plan at 5:00 P.M., Tuesday, May 4, 1982, in the conference room at the 1st Place Building, Fayetteville, Arkansas. PRESENT: Planning Commission Chairman Ernest Jacks, Elizabeth Crocker, Peg Anderson, Bobbie Jones, Julie Nash, Melanie Stockdell, Don Hunnicutt, David Williams, Don Mills, Larry Wood, Jim Vizzier, Harriett Jansma, Morton Gitelman, Barbara Crook, Newton Hailey, Cynthia Stewart. Ernest Jacks stated that the County LAND MANAGEMENT HEARINGS will be holding land management hearings for WASHINGTON COUNTY proposed zoning of the county. The zonings will consist of residential, industrial, commercial and agricultural. These hearings will be held May 17, 1982 at 7:00 P.M., at four different locations; Mt. Comfort, Son's Chapel, Baldwin and Farmington (for Greenland area). The possible attendance of Planning Commission members at these hearings was discussed. Jacks stated that goals and GOALS AND POLICIES policies had been discussed at some length at the last meeting. Since that time, the Commissioner's have been furnished with some material outlining 1970 policies( David Williams stated that in the guidelines distributed to the members, one of the items to be. considered is moral ramifications of a decision. He said he did not feel good about moral judgements being a function of a governmental institution. Gitelman stated that results from the Planning Commission's authority coming from the State, who gives the City the "power to regulate for the health, safety and morals of the public". Gitelman said he thinks of this in terms of regulation of sex orientated businesses such as adult book stores near schools. This could also be applied to the location of a liquor store near an elementary school or church because of the moral impact it may have on children. Williams stated he still has a problem with the conflict that arises at times between land use and zoning. Jacks stated that personal feelings have to enter into it. He stated he would not like to have more rules to follow. He felt that was why there are nine members on the Commission. Gitelman stated in a theoretical sense, the theories of planning are more important and the regulation secondary. Peg Anderson said she felt that not enough attention has been given to Planning in the past, she felt Fayetteville's overall plan was involved too much with streets, and never really addressed complete planning including parks and such as an integral part of the Plan. Anderson felt planning was more important than the Plan. 54 • (21 6S Special Planning Commission Meeting May 4, 1982 Page 2 Barbara Crook stated State Law provides that the Plan be adopted before the ordinance. Gitelman stated that is correct and it is not true in all states. He said that Arkansas is considered to have one of the more progressive state statutes on planning in the country. He said it is really very advanced. Williams said he was also confused about timing. For instance; when are streets developed as opposed to parks. Does the street go in first; or do you provide the green space. Larry Wood stated that only recently has there really been an effort toward the goals being discussed by the Commission now. Traditionally, the Planning Commission has dealt with the Master Street Plan in the review process of subdivisions, and this has consisted mostly of requiring right of .way, the actual implementation has been through the City Board and the Street Department. The same is true of parks. The Planning Commission came up with the Community Facilities Plan, but the Parks Board takes the recommended locations and works them up and they may or may not adhere to the plan as recommended by the Planning Commission. Theoretically, schools are also part of the Community Facilities Plan, but at this time, the Planning Commission has no authority over school sites. He felt the Planning Commission could take more authority from a Planning Stand Point. Bobbie Jones felt that water and sewer extensions and improvements should be reviewed by the Planning Commission, they presently are not. Williams stated he has a problem in the developer versus the neighborhood. He asked if the Commission is supposed to look at negative consequences. What 66 do you do when a developer wants to do one thing and the neighbors do not want cg him to do it. CM Beth Crocker stated that general welfare is a consideration. c3 Jacks said he was glad there were not guidelines on this type of thing. He stated that priority lists will change from time to time. Crook stated that one should go by the guidelines given and sometimes a judgement will have to be made. Gitelman stated he did not feel property values should be considered heavily. They really do not enter into Planning theory. The Commission is actually making recommendations to the Board of Directors. Crook asked if reasons should be given for judgements. Gitelman stated that even though the City Board makes decisions on zoning, in the Commission's recommendations to rezone or not to rezone a piece of property it is still important to articulate decisions. If the Commission recommends something that is a departure from the General Plan a strong reason should be given. for it. A plan should be considered on whether it is good or bad for the people. Williams stated he does not have the benefit of some of the other member's experience, that is why he does not feel comfortable without guidelines. He said he is not proposing prescriptions, but he felt there really was a policy vacuum. He felt the Commission was working on a reactive basis. Crook stated that the plan was written at a time when Planning was based on moving traffic; how long it takes to get from here to here. She said that things are not that way anymore. She felt this area should be addressed in this revision and that there should be a policy statement regarding that. • Jacks felt Williams was trying to say that the Commission does not initiate enough, that it reacts. 57 Special Planning Commission Meeting May 4, 1982 • Page 3 • Larry Wood felt the goals and policies should come first, they will develop the picture of how the City will develop. Gitelman said in forming goals and policies, trends definitely have to be considered; is enrollment going down in schools? Jacks felt this revision would be pointed toward changing those parts of the ordinance that have been problems that have occurred with a frequency, not a change in policy. Gitelman said the Planning Commission should get with Larry Wood and find out what exactly the goals and policies are with the current General Plan before any new policy is implemented. Peg said she did not feel the 1970 plan addressed the denser population in town. It addressed urban sprawl. She felt that has changed and that things such as a shop downstairs and a residence upstairs should be considered. Jacks said he felt the ordinance was too restrictive in some cases as far as dictating where certain zones should go. Gitelman reminded thus; present that any new policy formed has to be sold to the Board of Directors and the public. Williams stated he would like to see more leniency as far as providing housing for the elderly and the handicapped.so that isolated neighborhoods are not created based on age or ethnic background. Gitelman stated as far as placing housing for an elderly or handicapped person on a site with another house, that is a matter of ordinance revision. He said he agrees with mixed neighborhoods, however, ultimately, considerations on zoning and regulations get down to what the people want; not necessarily what the Commission wants. Peg Anderson stated the Commission can still make its recommendations. Hunnicutt stated that he had been involved in a housing project for the elderly in Springdale, and people turned out enmasse to protest its being placed in an R-1 neighborhood. Jacks asked; if the Planning Commission wanted to continue this type of format in the meetings, or if they would like to be appointed to committees to study specifics. Crook felt another meeting of this type should be held. Jacks asked Larry Wood to gather together the goals and policies of the 1970 plan. Then the Commission can look at them and see if they still believe in them. Peg Anderson said that is a good idea. Also, the trends, such as the elderly population and the school enrollments should be looked at. Larry Wood stated census data will be trickling• in all year. He has not received the statistics on age groupings. However, from the data he has received, there has been a significant change in age groupings in Northwest Arkansas. Gitelman said he would like to look at commercial activities and their proximity to downtown. Also, he stated a policy needs to be formulated for the use of the property on the bypass. • It was agreed that another meeting would be held May 26, 1982. 58