Gravette council approves property rezoning, lot combination, alley closure

GRAVETTE — Gravette City Council passed ordinances rezoning property, combining lots and closing an alley, all for Soldiers of the Cross, at its July 25 council meeting.

The first ordinance changes the zoning from R-1, single-family residential, to C-2, highway-commercial, for property at 404 First Ave. S.E. in Gravette. The second consolidates several lots and all of a 20-foot alley in Block 24 of the original town of Gravette, and the third vacates an alley that has not been used for at least five years. The property will be equally divided between the two adjoining property owners.

An open public hearing was held preceding the votes on the ordinances to consider the property rezoning, the combining of lots and the alley closure. No one was present to comment on any of the issues.

In other business, council members voted to approve the preliminary plat for the Sunset West Subdivision, containing 34.06 acres, in Hiwasse. Plans are to develop 50 lots on the property, which is located on Camille Lane. The plat had already been approved by the planning commission at its July 23 meeting.

Council members voted to approve plans for large-scale developments for Vernetti, Crosswalk NWA LLC and Casey’s. All had been discussed at the July 11 Committee of the Whole meeting.

Council members voted to approve accepting two bids from 81 Construction Group for floodplain improvements. One bid, of $8,381, covers ditch cleaning and rip rap at El Paso Street S.W. and Second Avenue S.W. The second bid, for $14,681, covers work for a detention pond at the intersection of Fourth Avenue S.E. and Charlotte Street S.E. Work includes removal of trees, excavation of an area approximately 35 feet by 100 feet, possible addition of topsoil and placement of sod in the excavated area.

Council members passed a resolution approving several adjustments to the 2019 budget. Carl Rabey, finance director, reported that sales tax collections from Internet sales began in July and some revenue from that should be received in August. He said financial statements were the same as at the last meeting.

One item added to the agenda concerned a land-locked one-acre piece of property at 401 Third Ave. S.W. Mayor Maddox reported it is listed on the delinquent tax rolls and recommended making an offer of $608.95, purchasing the property and reselling it to the owner of an adjoining property so it would no longer be inaccessible. Several water line breaks have required repair on the property and Corey Reardon, the water department supervisor, has recommended cutting off water service to the property. Council members voted to authorize Mayor Maddox to make an offer on the property.

Mayor Kurt Maddox reported he had received a letter from Karen Stidham thanking the city for the chip and seal work done on N. Mount Pleasant Street.

Chris Bakunas, with McClellan Engineering, was present to address some concerns council members had about the remodeling project at the Bank of Gravett. Concerns about plans to change an alleyway to one-way resulted in an agreement to leave it open to two-way traffic. Concerns about traffic coming off a busy Highway 72 and a sharp turn making it difficult for larger vehicles to negotiate resulted in a suggestion to move the proposed ATM location further to the north. Bakunas said planned facade updates and installation of new lighting will require removal and replacement of the sidewalk in front of the building. Council members agreed to have building inspector David Keck approve building permits so work can begin on the interior of the building and these exterior changes will be reconsidered later.

City attorney David Bailey said he was looking forward to Gravette Day and Mayor Maddox agreed, saying, “It looks like it’s going to be a huge thing.”