The Alexander Planning Commission met with two representatives from Metroplan to discuss the writing of a comprehensive development plan for the city. Hans Haustein, GIS (Geographic Information System) Planner and Performance Measure Coordinator; along with Bernadette Gunn Rhodes, Community Planner, explained the process city officials will go through to write a comprehensive plan.
The first step is for Metroplan to write a Planning Development Report. Haustein said the report will essentially list what services are currently available in Alexander and who controls them; electricity, telephone, water, sewer, cable tv, etc.. But, before that can begin an official request must come from Mayor Paul Mitchell. Since the meeting Planning Commission Chairman Michael Huck has informed Mitchell of this requirement.
Once that is completed the planning commission will be scheduling public hearings to hear from residents as to what direction they think the city should move when it comes to attracting future development. Alexander is in a situation in which there are only a handful of acres, outside the current city boundaries, the city could annex. Haustein and Rhodes were told most of the new development will occur in undeveloped areas already in the city. Alexander is surrounded by Little Rock, Bryant and Shannon Hills.
After receiving input from residents, the city will be able to write a comprehensive development plan that can be used by both current and future city officials. The plan will also include a transportation map showing future needs for street improvements, new streets and other amenities such as sidewalks and trails.
As stated on its website Metroplan’s primary function “is to work with local governments, the state department of transportation, and local transit providers to determine transportation needs and funding priorities for federal transportation investments.” Metroplan is mostly known for its involvement in large projects such as the current widening of I-30 crossing the Arkansas River in downtown Little Rock.
The website also notes that, “Metroplan also provides general planning, mapping, and technical assistance to local governments.” Alexander pays an annual fee to be a member of Metroplan, allowing the city to take advantage of its services.
Another item on the October 13 agenda involved a query concerning the placement of a restaurant, with a bar and private club, at the interstate ramp near the Citgo gas station. Chairman Huck explained he had received a phone call from Jeff Fuller asking about the feasibility of placing this type of establishment in Alexander.
Based on his conversation with Fuller, Huck said the restaurant and bar would be open to the general public but the club would be available for members only. As it was explained to Huck, the purpose of the club is to provide entertainment involving women dancing, but no nudity.
“It sounds like burlesque to me,” Huck said.
Huck went on to explain that the zoning ordinance covers restaurants but doesn’t say anything about bars or private clubs. He said he told Fuller they would have to apply for a Special Use Permit.
Huck said he told Fuller about the October meeting. Fuller said someone else would contact him, but since no one did he placed it on the agenda in case anyone attended the meeting to discuss the plan.
The description of the private club didn’t go over well with commission member Juanita Wilson, stating a definite, “No” at the idea. Commission members Tonya Prowse and Stephanie Beck agreed with Wilson.
Attending the meeting were Walter Burgess, owner of Power Technology, and Julie Fant, property owner of the warehouse area north of Cornerstone Road. Power Technology and the warehouses would be next to the restaurant location. Both Burgess and Fant expressed concerns about the proposed restaurant.
Burgess is concerned about an increase in crime quoting one statistic, involving a similar type of business, which showed a 60-percent increase in crime. When the private club closed, “Crime dropped 60-percent,” he said.
Fant expressed her concerns about what it would do for traffic at the end of the highway ramp and the moral implications. She asked if Alexander wanted to be known for having that type of business in the city.
“Where is our moral compass,” she asked.
She also noted that certain types of businesses have an “expected behavior” from its customers. The “expected behavior” from members of this type of private club is not something Alexander should want she said.
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