New chairman directs Planning Commission

LOWELL — The Planning Commission approved some projects and gave direction to others with the help of a new chairman and new commissioner Monday night.

The resignation of Mitch Wright, the former commission chairman, and the appointment of Carla Butler, was announced April 18 during the City Council meeting. Wright served as chairman for two years but was unable to continue after moving out of the city, Mayor Eldon Long said. Commissioner James Milner is now chairman.

Butler is the longtime manager of Arkansas Self Storage on Bloomington Street and a familiar face to the commission, said Kris Sullivan, Lowell planning and economic director.

“She’s had great community involvement,” Sullivan said at the City Council meeting in April. “She’s a sponsor for the Little Mister and Little Miss contest at Mudtown Days each year and has baked pies for us many times and done lots else.”

“I appreciate the opportunity to do my best to serve,” Butler said.

Long said Butler has adjusted quickly to the position so far and been a good fit for the commission.

The commission approved on Monday a resubmitted preliminary plat review and large-scale development project from HGJ Properties for homes at the corner of Honeysuckle Street and Pleasant Grove Road. The development will include six single-story townhomes or 30 total units at 8,700 square feet with three bedrooms each.

Engineering Services’ project engineer Jason Appel, who represented the project, said the land is six residential lots and five industrial lots. The residential side will be built as six five-plexes and the industrial side would house Sunbelt Rentals, which rents construction equipment. The property would include private streets, Appel said.

The resubmitted plat included the addition of a chain-link fence to screen the light industrial area and provide a buffer to the neighborhood. Appel also provided pictures of similar residences to illustrate what he had in mind for the townhomes.

Commissioner Darrin Brock noted the addition of a wooden fence on Honeysuckle Street. A small pond also will be included, Appel said. Commissioners asked Appel to walk them through plans for the use of porous landscaping rock and creation of green space, placement of fire hydrants and establishing water connections.

Commissioner Lloyd Caldwell questioned how Sunbelt would contain the spills of hydraulic fluids once the industrial location is built. Appel said the rental company would be on a paved yard and all vehicle work would be inside the building. Any fluids would be pumped out, he said.

Development plans were submitted for improvements to Bagwell Motors, 609 S. Bloomington. Commissioners informed Randy Ritchey, who represented the project, any changes to the property would subject the entire lot to overlay district requirements, including removing a gravel lot, improvement to drainage and other minor changes.

Powerlines prevent some of the landscaping requirements for newly planted trees along the north and south borders of the property, Ritchey said.

Commissioner Brock said the project is headed in the right direction.