Alexander council hears report on street name change

Planning Commission Chairman Michael Huck presented a report at the Alexander City Council’s May meeting concerning the proposal to change the names of four streets. The report follows Mayor Paul Mitchell’s request, during the April meeting, to research whether the city can establish a N. Main St. and a S. Main St.; reducing the number of street names down from four to two.

“This is something that I’ve been wanting to do (for some time),” Mitchell said in April. “The thing I’ve been wanting (to do) is to change Hwy 111 to South and North Main Street.”

The renaming will actually extend beyond Hwy 111. Under the mayor’s proposal N. Main St. will begin at Hwy 5, which is currently the intersection of Hwy 5 and N. Alexander Road. N. Main St. will travel south following Hwy 111 and Alexander Rd. ending at 3^rd Street.

S. Main St. will begin at what is now the intersection of 3^rd St. and Alexander Rd. and will follow Hwy 111. Where Hwy 111 ends is also S. Alexander Road. S. Main St. will continue to follow S. Alexander Rd. and end at the city limit.

During Huck’s report he said there may be a problem with establishing N. Main St. north of Cornerstone Road. After receiving input from Metroplan, Arkansas Municipal League, Saline County, and Pulaski County two facts were established. One; there are no state laws covering the changing of street names and, two; counties have sole control over the names given to roads and streets in the unincorporated areas of the county, while municipalities are responsible for the names of streets within the boundaries of the city. And, that’s where the problem lies.

Huck explained that Alexander Rd. is within the city boundaries south of Cornerstone Road. It’s at that point the Alexander boundary moves from the east side of Alexander Rd. to the west side; putting the remainder of Hwy. 111/Alexander Rd. and N. Alexander Rd. to Hwy. 5 in Saline County.

During his conversations with Saline County Huck said he was sent a marked-up map apparently showing an agreement between Saline County and Little Rock. The handwritten notations appear to show Saline County was allowed to name the southbound lane between Hwy. 5 and I-30 as N. Alexander Rd., while Little Rock named the northbound lane along the same stretch of road as Alexander Road.

It was at this point Huck recommended calling in the city attorney to sort things out with the various government entities.

“Have our people call their people,” Huck said. “Maybe we need an inter-local agreement with everyone to change the name.”

Mitchell said there shouldn’t be a problem having Alexander rename those roads.

“We provide the police; we provide the fire department. Why shouldn’t we name it?” Mitchell said.

Huck suggested asking Saline County if the city can annex the rest of the county to its line on the east side of Hwy. 111/Alexander Rd. and N. Alexander Road.

“That would put it all (the road) in Alexander,” he said. “Then we can name it whatever we want.”

During the April meeting Mitchell said he is aware there will have to be a process and this will affect the residents along the four renamed streets. There will probably have to be at least one public hearing to allow comments from residents. Also, 9-1-1 from both Pulaski and Saline counties will have to be involved in changing everyone’s 9-1-1 addresses to either N. Main or S. Main. And, of course, anyone who uses their house address as their mailing address will have to go through the process of changing those on any important monthly mail they receive.

Earlier in his report Huck said he had already researched which parcels will be affected by the name changes and has a mailing list ready to notify property owners of the public hearing, when it is scheduled. According to Huck 21 parcels in Pulaski County and five in Saline County will be changed to N. Main Street. To make the change to S. Main St. 22 parcels in Pulaski County and 73 in Saline County will be renamed.

Again, during the April meeting, Mitchell noted this change will put city hall on N. Main St. and the main fire station on S. Main. He also expects having a “Main St.” running from one end of the city to the other will “tie N. Alexander and S. Alexander together.”

Council members did not take any action on Huck’s recommendation.

Alexander American Legion Post 28 Car Show Spring 2021; good weather, not enough entries

It was a sunny cool day at the Alexander City Park, Saturday May 15. Just right for a car show. The show was sponsored by the Alexander American Legion Post 28.

There were 36 trophies and plaques for the various categories, but only 18 entries. The trophies and plaques were provided by O’Reilly’s Auto Parts.

Judging was done by the Rock City Cruisers Car Club. They also took everyone down memory lane with appropriate musical entertainment.

Event Chairman Harold Timmerman announced, near the end of the event, the post is planning a car show for August. The “Hot August Night” car show was held last year.

Class-A, 1949 & Earlier:

1^st Place - Danny Griffis

2^nd Place-Judy (Mike) Roberts

3^rd Place - Walter Wise

Class-B, 1950-1959:

(No Entries)

Class-C, 1960-1969:

1^st Place-Ray Long

Class-D, 1970-1979:

1^st Place-Rudy Villareal

Class-E, 1980-1999:

1^st Place - Mike Johnson

2^nd Place-Charlie Vawter

3^rd Place - Bob Johnson

(Trophy picked up by Mike Johnson in photo.)    

Class-F, 2000-2009:

1^st Place-David Pierce

Class-G, 2010-2021:

1^st Place - Mark Sherman

2^nd Place-Steve Stein

3^rd Place - Buddy Warner    

Trophy Table

Best of Categories

Best Foreign

Judy (Mike) Roberts

Oldest Truck

Mike (Judy) Roberts

Oldest Car

Walter Wise

Best Car

Mark Sherman

Best Truck

Mike Johnson

Competitors’ Choice

Rudy Villareal

Best of Show

Mark Sherman

Harold’s (Timmerman) Choice

Danny Griffis

Best Rat Rod

A Ford Model-A Rat Rod. Owner was not present to receive award. See photo below.

Jeep (With engine inset.)

2018 GT350 Ford Shelby Mustang

Pontiac TransAm

    Mustang

2016 Mustang Apollo

Mark Martin Signature Mustang

McLaren    

Best Foreign Award - Owners Mike & Judy Roberts

1946 Dodge Truck (With engine inset.)

Oldest Truck Award - Owners Mike & Judy Roberts

Chevy Silverado Pick Up Truck

Corvette    

Dodge Challenger

Chevy Impala (With food tray.)

1996 BMWZ3

2014 Dodge Challenger

1929 Chevrolet International Coupe

Class-A, 1949 & Earlier - 1^st Place

and

Harold’s Choice Award

Owner-Danny Griffis

 Chevy SS    

Ford Model-A Rat Rod

Best Rat Rod Award - Owner not present to receive award.

Corvette

1946 Chevrolet

1928 Ford Model-A

    Oldest Car Award - Owner Walter Wise

Alexander council approves food trailer and Planning Studies Report

The Alexander City Council approved a recommendation from the city’s planning commission to allow a conditional use permit for the operation of a food trailer on property zoned residential. The council also approved the final version of the Planning Studies Report, which will be used as a starting point for the writing of a master development plan.

A public hearing was held by the planning commission Tuesday, May 4 to receive input from residents. Planning commission Chairman Michael Huck told council members no one attended the hearing either “For” or “Against” the permit request. The location of the property is at 15404 South Alexander Road; at the corner of Alton Dr. and S. Alexander Road.

The request was made by Jose Perez Arreola, who lives with his wife Melissa in their home next to the property. Arreola will be offering a Mexican cuisine, known as “Street Food.” The name of his business is Antojitos Querétaro, which translates to Cravings Querétaro.

Council Member Harold Timmerman expressed concern over setting a precedent allowing a food trailer on residential property. Timmerman believes someone later, who also wants to sell food on property zoned residential, may expect to be approved and complain if not because it was allowed in this case.

Council Member and Planning Commission Member Juanita Wilson explained to Timmerman that each request will be judged on its individual merits. She pointed out this location is not in the middle of a residential area.

To the north, across Alton Dr., is Hales Steel offices and manufacturing plant. Across S. Alexander Rd. is Pueblo Auto Repair. South of the auto repair is the city’s Central Fire Station. On the south side of the lot with the food trailer is the Arreola’s home. They also own the lot behind the house. The remaining area to the south and east is residential.

The final vote, taken as a voice vote, was five “Yes” and three “No.” Voting “Yes” were Joe Pollard, Joy Gray, Juanita Wilson, Dan Church, and Lonny Chapman. Harold Timmerman voted “No.” Elizabeth Bland and Jeff Watson were absent which count as “No” votes.

With this step out of the way the Arreolas may now apply for a privilege license (business license). That will include a health inspection and a safety inspection by the fire marshal.

Also at the May 17 meeting the council accepted the Planning Studies Report, which will now allow the planning commission to begin the second phase of writing a master development plan. The next phase is designed to get input from council members, city staff and the public in order to develop a street/transportation plan and a development plan to guide the city’s future growth.

Food trailer and Metroplan report on Alexander agenda

At Monday’s meeting the Alexander City Council will be asked to approve two items. One request will allow a food trailer to operate in a residential area along S. Alexander Road. The other is approving a report written by Metroplan.

A public hearing on the Conditional Use Permit for the food trailer was held by the planning commission on May 4. No one attended in opposition and the planning commission has recommended its approval.

The report by Metroplan is the first step in the city writing a comprehensive development plan. The next step will be to identify areas of potential development, the type of development desired and where new streets may be needed.

The next Alexander City council meeting is Monday, May 17, 6PM in the courtroom at city hall. The public is invited to attend.

Food Trailer permit moves to Alexander council for final approval

The Alexander Planning Commission has given the first of two approvals needed for a food trailer to operate on residential property in south Alexander. The next step is for city council members to give the final green light.

A public hearing was held by the planning commission Tuesday, May 4 to receive public input concerning a Conditional Use Permit that will allow the placement of a food trailer on a lot zoned for residential use. The location of the property is at 15404 South Alexander Road; at the corner of Alton Dr. and S. Alexander Road. No one attended the hearing either “For” or “Against” the permit.

The request has been made by Jose Perez Arreola, who lives in his home adjacent to the property. Arreola will be offering a Mexican cuisine, known as “Street Food.” The name of his business is Antojitos Querétaro, which translates to Cravings Querétaro.

It is now up to council members to make the final decision. The date of the next regular council meeting is Monday, May 17.

Third Annual American Legion Car Show in Alexander May 15

Alexander American Legion Post 28 will hold its third annual car show Saturday, May 15 from 4-8 PM at Alexander City Park. Access to the show is free to the public.

To participate in the car show the entrance fee is $20 for non-military and $15 for veterans and active duty military. Thirty-six trophies will be awarded along with a 50/50 drawing.

Food will be available for purchase including hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, soda, and bottled water.

If you have any questions call Harold Timmerman at (501) 813-4694.

Below is a map showing the location of the city park off Highway 111 near the Dollar General Store.

Public hearing for food trailer tonight

A public hearing will be held tonight (Tuesday, May 4) at 6:30 PM in the courtroom at city hall concerning the placement of a food trailer on a lot zoned for residential use. The hearing is to receive comments concerning a request for a Conditional Use Permit to place a food trailer at 15404 South Alexander Road. The property is at the corner of Alton Dr. and S. Alexander Road.

The request has been made by Jose Perez Arreola, who lives in his home adjacent to the property. Arreola will be offering a Mexican cuisine. The name of his business is Antojitos Querétaro, which translates to Cravings Querétaro.

The proposal was presented to commission members at their April meeting. An asphalt driveway has already been paved from S. Alexander Rd. to Alton Drive. A walkway was laid from the driveway to the food trailer.

His wife, Melissa Resendiz, said they’ve already spoken to their adjacent neighbors who seem to be in favor of the idea. While the areas behind and to the south are residential, on the north side is Hale’s Steel and across S. Alexander Road is Pueblo Auto Repair.

After the public hearing, planning commission members will decide whether to recommend approval of the conditional use permit to the city council. It will be up to council members to make the final decision. The date of the council meeting following the public hearing is May 17.