Commission Decides: No Fuel Trucks

FARMINGTON —A request to install a large gravel lot to park fuel trucks overnight was stopped in its tracks last week when a Farmington Planning Commission member presented a regulation he found in an Arkansas fire code.

After much discussion and public comment, the Commission unanimously turned down the large scale development request from Littlefield Oil Co., to install the gravel lot behind Discount Tobacco on Main Street.

The company, based in Fort Smith, delivers fuel to northwest Arkansas and proposed using the lot as a place to park its trucks in northwest Arkansas.

Bobby Wilson, commission member, held up a copy of a section in a state fire code and wondered if the fire chief agreed to the plan.

The code is part of the 2012 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code and states that “tank vehicles shall not be left unattended at any time on residential streets or within 500 feet of a residential area.”

“I’m no math whiz but there’s a house next door,” Wilson said. “How can the fire chief sign off on this if it’s a fire hazard? It’s within 500 feet.”

City Attorney Steven Tennant was not aware of the specific code but after reviewing it said he believed the code was “applicable” in this case.

Commission Chairman Robert

Mann recommended tabling the request to allow fire Chief Mark Cunningham time to look at the fire code. Toni Bahn made a motion to table but no one seconded her motion. Tennant then advised the Commission to go ahead and vote on the plan.

Several neighbors in the area and other Farmington residents addressed the commission opposing the project.

Linda Lee, at 72 S. Hunter, said she objected to the project because the intersection at Main Street and South Hunter already has a lot of traffic congestion.

“Trucks will create more potential hazards,” Lee said. “I’m shocked there’s even a consideration of planting anything like this. Why can’t you find a place a little further out in the country?”

Jane Vest, of 102 Oakridge Drive, noted that a parking lot for fuel trucks appeared to be more of an industrial park development. She wondered how it would affect property values in the area.

Tennant reminded people at the meeting that property owners have a right to ask to develop their property.

“That’s why we have a democracy,” Tennant said.

However, in looking at Littlefield’s project, Tennant said he had a “real problem” with it, saying residences clearly are within 500 feet of the proposed parking lot, which would be in violation of the fire code.

Littlefield’s plan also requested three variances and these were addressed prior to the large- scale development plan.

Littlefield asked to be exempt from putting in a paved parking lot, as required by city ordinance. It was obvious from the beginning that commissioners would not approve this.

“We have an ordinance that says people have to pave,” commissioner Judy Horne said.

“It’s paved or I don’t give them a vote,” Wilson said. “That’s easy. The answer is no.”

Littlefield also requested to pay fees in lieu of installing sidewalks and making street improvements of curb and gutter. Plans are being made to widen Highway 170 and any improvements would later be torn down during construction. The commission approved those two requests.

However, none of those variance requests matter when the commission voted against the project itself.

Engineer Geoffrey Bates of Bates & Associates addressed the Commission to answer any questions on behalf of Littlefield. Bates said the owner was not able to be at the meeting. From his understanding, Bates said the company planned to park three fuel trucks on the lot and most times, there would not be any fuel in the tanks.