OPINION
In order for anything to be built it requires two things; a source of clean drinking water and a method of disposing the wastewater. In north Alexander, there is plenty of drinking water but a limitation on wastewater disposal.
The city does not provide any water or sewer services. Instead, it relies on the kindness of strangers. In the case of north Alexander drinking water is provided by Central Arkansas Water. Water disposal is provided by the Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority (LRWRA).
North Alexander is comprised of Pulaski County and the edge of Saline County.
In the 2018 contract, between Alexander and LRWRA, the city was required to write a new zoning ordinance and a new comprehensive master development plan. At the time the last zoning ordinance and master plan was approved in 1982.
Construction of the new Meadow’s Edge subdivision was nearing an end. There were expectations more development was coming; especially since requests for city zoning regulations were frequent and 1982 zoning requirements were inadequate for growth in the new century.
The very first thing the now defunct Alexander Planning Commission did was tackle writing not only new zoning regulations, but also a document entitled Subdivision Rules and Regulations and a zoning map. All three were approved by the city council in 2019.
With the help of Metroplan and a citizens advisory committee; the planning commission conducted surveys and public meetings to gather input from city residents. A wish list from the public was combined with historical data and growth projections allowing Metroplan to produce a comprehensive master development plan named On Track For A Better Tomorrow.
As required, the plan was sent to the Little Rock Planning Department in April, 2023 to start the approval process. In September it was approved by Little Rock planning and forwarded to LRWRA. And there it sits.
If the promised resolution approving the master plan had been written and approved by LRWRA, it would have been sent to the Little Rock City Board of Directors for final approval. Obviously, they were unprepared to fulfill their side of the bargain.
Near the end of 2024, Alexander City Attorney Chris Madison began talking to the LRWRA attorney about writing a new contract, leaving out the requirements in the 2018 version. However, Madison had some doubts about just removing the zoning and master plan requirements and leaving the rest of the language as-is. He said that language left unanswered questions.
The expectation was to have a new contract ready to present to both the LRWRA and the Alexander City Council by January or February 2025. It is now the end of March and there are no signs of a contract.
Under the 2018 contract, no new sewer connections will be allowed in north Alexander until LRWRA and the Little Rock Board of Directors signs off on the Alexander master plan. A new church was allowed to be built, at the intersection of Cornerstone and Hwy. 111, with approval from the LRWRA. Considering a church adds very little to a sewer system LRWRA permitted the connection.
The big problem is more development is coming to north Alexander. The open field between Dollar General and Crooked Creek is being offered to commercial developers. But, without access to the LRWRA sewer system there will be no development. No increase in sales tax revenue. Nothing to attract other types of growth.
Unfortunately, there’s a balancing act connecting to the LRWRA system. Alexander is limited to 750 Gallons Per Minute (GPM) Per Day. The city is currently at around 300. There is also a limit to the number of sewer connections. I don’t have numbers on that.
The point is we must be careful with commercial development. We can’t have businesses that will add significantly to the GPM. We can’t have laundromats or restaurants that require washing plates, glasses and coffee cups. Fast food with throw-away containers and stores that only need water for the restrooms are preferable.
Growth promotes growth. And, while Alexander cannot grow in physical size, because it’s land-locked, it can develop the open space available.
But, if I didn’t know better it seems someone wants to keep Alexander the way it is. Someone wants to slow down the progress. You do what you’re told and suddenly there’s no hurry.
“We need some time to read this little plan of yours, Missy. We’ll get back to you in a year or two.”
LRWRA knew this was coming and they did nothing to prepare. They had no idea how they were going to accept what they asked for and remove it from the contract.
And, what business was it of theirs anyway. Why should they care about our zoning regulations or if we have a master plan or not. That contract should have never been signed. Why should a big city get to tell a little city what to do.
If they can’t solve this problem now Alexander needs to see them in court. Either that or we need to start shopping for our own sewer plant.
It has now been one year, 11 Months, two weeks, and two days. The clock is ticking. See left column.