Metropolitan Area Planning Commission Meeting – August 12, 2025

The Metropolitan Area Planning Commission (MAPC) of Jonesboro met on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 5:30 PM at the Municipal Center, 300 S. Church Street. The commission considered routine approvals, a sidewalk waiver, a presentation on a comprehensive growth plan, a preliminary subdivision plat, and two rezoning requests. Public comment was heard on the first rezoning, which was ultimately withdrawn. The second rezoning received a favorable recommendation.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (MIN-25:068): The minutes from the July 22, 2025 MAPC meeting were approved by unanimous vote.
• Sidewalk Waiver (COM-25:032) at 903 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.: John Easley (Associate Engineering, on behalf of the owners) requested a sidewalk waiver because the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) already installed sidewalks along that portion of MLK Blvd. The city planner recommended approval of the fee in lieu of sidewalk construction. A motion to approve passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

On Rezoning RZ-25-13 (2106 Bridger Rd.): Several residents spoke in opposition:

• Dave Nance (5017 Eden Cove, representing Eden Hills Estates POA) cited concerns over property value depreciation, quality of life (crime, traffic), and inadequate infrastructure. He argued that impact fees should be required from developers to cover roads, drainage, police, fire, and emergency services.
• Carol White (5001 Nicole Cove) opposed the rezoning, citing already congested traffic on Johnson Avenue and Bridger Road, safety hazards (narrow road, blind curves, high speeds), and potential crime increases from rental units. She noted the road is dangerous for turning onto Highway 49.
• Lynn Childers (5108 Tracy Drive, full-time realtor and 2023 NE Arkansas Board of Realtors president) expressed opposition to high-density multifamily but not to a new subdivision. He described a May 19, 2025 accident at Tracy Drive caused by speeding traffic on Bridger Road, which totaled his wife's car. He warned of increased danger with 50–100 new units.
• Joanne Nally (long-time resident, ~80 years) questioned whether additional acreage could be developed later and noted over 325 petition signatures in opposition. She cited 100+ accidents on Johnson Avenue from January to June 2025, and congestion on Red Wolf Boulevard.
• Jared Woodard (attorney, speaking for his 93-year-old grandmother Ann McAllister, owner of 38.9 acres adjacent to the site) opposed the rezoning, noting the owner is an out-of-town doctor (from Cherokee Village) and that the road is dangerous. He said his grandmother has no plans to develop her pasture land.

On Rezoning RZ-25-14 (Southern Hills PD): No public comments were made, as most attendees had left after the previous item.

Discussion Items

• Presentation on Comprehensive Growth Plan and Street Master Plan (COM-25-033): Representatives from DPZ Co-design (Matt Lambert, team lead), Crafton Tull (Dave Roberts, planner/landscape architect; Brad Peterson, civil engineer), and Urban Three (economic analysis) presented a proposed 18–24 month process to create a unified comprehensive plan and updated street master plan for Jonesboro. The plan would include three phases: diagnostic/analysis, engagement (surveys, stakeholder meetings, a week-long design charrette), and implementation. The goal is to align land use, transportation, and fiscal sustainability. Commissioners asked about timeline, public engagement strategies, scope (city limits, annexation, extraterritorial jurisdiction after recent state legislation), and code updates. The presentation received a motion to recommend sending to the full City Council; the motion passed unanimously.
• Preliminary Subdivision – Sarah’s Crossing Phase IV (PP-25-06): Mark Morris (owner) presented a preliminary plat for 54 lots on 15 acres as the final phase of the subdivision, connecting existing Sarah’s Crossing to Maple Valley. The city planner confirmed it meets subdivision code requirements. A motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Rezoning RZ-25-13 (2106 Bridger Rd., ~6.79 acres): David Baker (Fisher & Arnold) requested a rezoning from R-1 to a higher density multifamily to provide affordable housing. He cited a need for housing and a change in the area (adjacent assisted living, mobile home park, and future commercial growth). The city planner recommended approval with conditions (stormwater, site plan, etc.). After extensive public opposition, Commissioner Cooper asked about a possible lesser zoning. The applicant requested a motion to table the item to discuss a lower density with neighbors; the motion failed (vote not recorded due to technical issue). The applicant then withdrew the application (as of right) – no commission vote needed. Withdrawal allows re-notification and a new hearing.
• Rezoning RZ-25-14 (Southern Hills PD, ~7 acres from PD-M Multifamily to PD-M Commercial): Carol Caldwell (proponent) requested the change to allow a grocery store on a three-lane street that will connect to Culver House in approximately two months. She also sought to expand one existing commercial lot by about half an acre. The city planner recommended approval with conditions. A motion to approve passed unanimously. No public comment as attendees had departed.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved: Unanimous.
• Sidewalk Waiver Approved: Unanimous.
• Comprehensive Growth Plan: Unanimous recommendation to send to City Council.
• Sarah’s Crossing Phase IV Preliminary Plat Approved: Unanimous.
• RZ-25-13 (Bridger Rd.): Motion to table failed; applicant withdrew. Re-notification and new hearing required.
• RZ-25-14 (Southern Hills PD): Favorable recommendation to City Council (passed unanimously).
• Adjourned: Commission adjourned after staff comments.

Note: The meeting took place on August 12, 2025, starting at 5:30 PM. All votes were unanimous where recorded.