Jonesboro Board of Zoning Adjustment Meeting - September 15, 2026

The Jonesboro Board of Zoning Adjustment met on September 15, 2026, beginning at 7:30 PM. The board considered several variance requests for multi-family residential and commercial developments. The meeting included discussion of design standards, traffic flow, parking requirements, and grading challenges. The board voted to approve or table each item.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from the August 11 meeting were approved by motion and second.

Discussion Items

• Walter Jackson – Duplex at 323 North Bridge: Mr. Jackson requested variances to allow side-facing doors and front parking for a new duplex. He explained that the 50-foot-wide lot and existing infrastructure make rear parking infeasible. He cited similar variances granted for other properties he built in the area (e.g., 509 Miller in 2020). Board members discussed concerns about front parking and door orientation but recognized the practical constraints of the lot and the applicant's positive track record. The city planning representative noted the code encourages rear parking but acknowledged the difficulty on this site.
• Chick-fil-A – Variance Requests (GBC Design): The applicant sought three variances for a new Chick-fil-A on a 1.8-acre site: (1) an exit not meeting cross-access requirements, (2) a curb cut closer than 85 feet from an intersection, and (3) three access points (two entrances, one exit) instead of the allowed maximum. The project engineer explained the P-15 prototype with an isolated drive-thru and emphasized the site's 11-foot grade change. A letter from George Dim of Tommy's Car Wash objected to the side connection due to traffic conflict concerns. Board members expressed reluctance about granting multiple variances but were satisfied with the revised plan turning one access into an entrance-only. The representative recused himself.
• McAllister Engineering – Setback Variance for Duplex (Mapry Properties): A variance was requested to reduce the east side setback from 7.5 feet to 6 feet for an existing duplex built 1.18 feet over the setback. The applicant stated the building is being renovated. The board moved to grant the variance to avoid requiring demolition.
• Doug (representing grocery store) – Driveway Location Variance: The applicant requested a variance from shared access requirements on Southern Ridge Boulevard, citing that 18-wheelers serving the grocery store would create a hardship for the adjoining property to the west if required to share a driveway. Board discussion raised concerns about setting a precedent and the impact on future development of the western lot. The city planner noted that the code requires shared entrances to reduce curb cuts on a collector street. The applicant argued that 18-wheelers cannot safely use the side exit and that the adjoining lot has sufficient frontage (approximately 280 linear feet) for its own driveway. The board granted the variance.
• Fencing (Moss Fencing): This item was tabled to the next meeting as the applicant did not appear.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Variance for Walter Jackson's duplex at 323 North Bridge (side-facing doors, front parking) – vote: 3 in favor.
• Approved: Three variances for Chick-fil-A (cross-access, curb cut distance, number of access points) – vote: 3 in favor, 1 recused.
• Approved: Setback variance for McAllister Engineering/Mapry Properties duplex – vote: 3 in favor.
• Approved: Driveway location variance for grocery store (waived shared access on Southern Ridge) – vote: 3 in favor.
• Tabled: Moss Fencing item to next meeting.
• The board adjourned.