Council rezones property, OKs grant application

GRAVETTE — Tyler Burns spoke to members of the Gravette city council during the comment period at the March 18 city council meeting about his desire to rezone property he owns adjoining the Mount Pleasant Cemetery. He wishes to rezone 12 acres to commercial as the site of his landscaping company and the remaining 20 acres residential for an RV park.

He said he has secured financing for the RV park project and brought project plans for council members to review. Burns said he felt the RV park would be beneficial to the city as it would bring people into Gravette stores and restaurants. He said the property is ideal for an RV park with rolling hills, trees and a pond and room for a septic field in the center.

A short public hearing was held preceding the council meeting. Cassie Elliott, grant writer with Visionary Milestones, was present and spoke to the council about the possibility of applying for funds through the Arkansas Community and Economic Development Program. The city has received funds from ACEDP in the past for work on the community building and for the purchase of a fire truck. Elliott said the city can apply for up to $300,000. She said she felt the chances of getting a grant were good and she should know within 60 days if the request is approved. Funds would be used for the rehabilitation of water lines along

Highway 59.

During the business session, council members passed a resolution rezoning parcels of 29.80 acres and 10.82 acres owned by John Nazarian at 14595 W. Highway 72 from A-1, agricultural, to R-1, single-family residential, except for eight acres with a chicken house which is to remain A-1. The city specified that structures currently on the property should be torn down before construction of the proposed single-family homes.

Resolutions were also passed authorizing the mayor to submit an application for funds through the Arkansas Community and Economic Development Program and approving adjustments for the 2021 budget relating to grants received and workers compensation.

Finally, a resolution was passed accepting closing statements and real estate contracts for the purchase of properties at 202 Main Street N.E. and 105 Third Ave. N.E. and sale of properties at 604 First Ave. S.E. and 606 First Ave. S.E.

Council members voted to approve splitting the cost of demolition of the building pads at 604 First Ave. S.E. and 606 First Ave. S.E. with K-MAC. The bid for demolition submitted by JD’s Dirt Work did not include removing the building pads. The city’s share of the cost will be $5,000.

Carl Rabey, city finance director, reported there was no change in the financial statement since the March 9 Committee of the Whole meeting.