City of Fort Smith Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment Meeting - July 14, 2026

The Fort Smith Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment met on July 14, 2026, to consider several conditional use requests, a master land use plan amendment, rezoning, development plans, and a variance. The meeting began at 11:30 AM (local time) and included multiple public comments and commissioner discussions. All votes were unanimous except where noted.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of June 9, 2026 Planning Commission Minutes: Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 2 (Conditional Use at 501 South 16th Street): Mario Guerlay (501 South 17th) asked about playground safety and security measures. The applicant, Perry Garrett, responded that the playground would be fenced later and security cameras would be installed.
• Item 3 (Conditional Use at 8411 South 28th Street): Robert Allen (4909 Cliff Drive) spoke in opposition, citing longstanding drainage issues from the nursing home property and providing an engineer's study from 2000. He expressed concern that the addition would worsen existing flooding. The applicant, Mike Haythorn, noted the addition is only a 2% increase in impervious surface and offered to cooperate with a drainage study. David Garza, engineer, detailed potential drainage problems off-site and suggested further investigation.
• Items 4 & 5 (Master Land Use Plan Amendment and Rezoning for Harbor House): Robin Fowler (623 North 20th) expressed support for the project but raised concerns about parking and neighborhood crowding. Another neighbor, Hiller (502 North 17th), questioned the effectiveness of the transitional living program and said the expansion would not help the neighborhood. The applicant, Chase and Garrett Architects, explained that parking needs would be met largely on-site and that most residents do not have cars.
• Item 6 (Development Plan at Veterans Avenue): No public comments.
• Item 7 (Variance and Development Plan at South Zero Street): No public comments.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 (Conditional Use – Nursery School at 911 RA Young Jr Drive): Staff presented the request for a nursery school in an existing office building. A neighborhood meeting had no attendees, but three calls with no opposition. Commissioners discussed a proposed portable playground fence; staff clarified that a permanent fence would require a site plan amendment. The applicant stated the fence was voluntary and DHS had no objection. The motion to approve with staff comments passed 6-1 (Commissioner Coleman abstained).
• Item 2 (Conditional Use – Primary/Secondary School at 501 South 16th Street): Applicant Perry Garrett described a school for 30-35 students aged kindergarten to fifth grade, operating two days per week. The school would use two drop-off points (front and alley) to minimize congestion. The property has six classrooms and six staff. The playground will be added later. Motion to approve with staff comments passed unanimously.
• Item 3 (Conditional Use – Nursing Home Addition at 8411 South 28th Street): Extensive discussion on drainage. Staff added a contingency requiring a formal drainage analysis for the city engineering department prior to building permit issuance. The applicant's engineer reported that the existing detention pond may need evaluation due to multiple past additions. Commissioners debated whether the drainage study would solve off-site problems. The motion to approve with staff comments (including the drainage analysis condition) passed unanimously.
• Items 4 & 5 (Master Land Use Plan Amendment and Rezoning for Harbor House Transitional Living): Staff recommended approval to allow a transitional dwelling for substance abuse recovery at 604 North 18th Street and to give all four Harbor House properties consistent zoning. The plan includes 100% high-quality materials, signage restrictions, and a rear access driveway. The master land use plan amendment and rezoning were both approved unanimously.
• Item 6 (Development Plan – Contractor’s Office and Storage Yard at Veterans Avenue): The applicant changed the original plan from a mini-storage warehouse to a contractor’s office and storage yard. Staff recommended approval with conditions including landscaping, lighting, and outdoor storage screening. Motion to approve passed 6-1 (Commissioner Mendenhall abstained).
• Items 7 & 8 (Board of Zoning Adjustment – Variance Withdrawal on Greenwood Road and Planning Commission Withdrawal): The applicant requested withdrawal of a variance application. Both the Board and Planning Commission approved the withdrawal unanimously.
• Items 9 & 10 (Board of Zoning Adjustment – Variance for Vent Stack Screening at South Zero Street and Development Plan): The variance requested relief from mechanical equipment screening for a paint booth vent stack on an existing metal building. Staff recommended approval with the condition that the vent stack be painted to match the building. The Board approved the variance unanimously, and the Planning Commission approved the companion development plan unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Conditional Use – Nursery School (911 RA Young Jr Drive): Approved 6-1 (Coleman abstained).
• Conditional Use – School (501 South 16th Street): Approved 7-0.
• Conditional Use – Nursing Home Addition (8411 South 28th Street): Approved 7-0 with an additional condition requiring a drainage analysis before building permit issuance.
• Master Land Use Plan Amendment (Harbor House properties): Approved 7-0.
• Rezoning (Harbor House properties): Approved 7-0.
• Development Plan – Contractor’s Office (Veterans Avenue): Approved 6-1 (Mendenhall abstained).
• Variance Withdrawal (Greenwood Road): Approved 7-0 by Board of Zoning Adjustment and Planning Commission.
• Variance – Vent Stack Screening (South Zero Street): Approved 7-0 by Board of Zoning Adjustment.
• Development Plan – Paint Booth Addition (South Zero Street): Approved 7-0 by Planning Commission.