I thought we did the hard part: New Master Development Plan on hold

OPINION/Editorial

When the last Alexander Planning Commission was created the main goals that needed to be accomplish at its inception was to establish new zoning regulations, a new zoning map and translate Saline County’s subdivision rules and regulations into a usable format for the city. We also needed a new master development plan.

The zoning and master plan Alexander had dated back to 1982. The city never had regulations for developers.

The new zoning, zoning map and development regulations were adopted by the city council in 2019. Then the planning commission set its sites on a new master development plan.

With the aid of Metroplan, the commission conducted an online survey and two public meetings. All designed to determine how local residents wanted Alexander to develop now and in the future.

Because the Pulaski County portion of Alexander gets its sewer service from the Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority (LRWRA), the city was required to not only write a new master plan but to have it approved by the LRWRA and the Little Rock Board of Directors. This requirement is in the 2018 contract between the two cities.

The plan began the approval process when it was submitted to the LRWRA in April, 2023. And, there it sits.

LRWRA officials couldn’t decide how to approve the plan in writing. When Alexander’s attorney stepped up in late 2023, it was decided to write a new contract, omitting the requirements for new zoning and a master plan. Simple right. Wrong.

Alexander’s attorney says the contract, in its current form, leaves open questions that should be spelled out in more detail. Approaching three years, the new contract is still being rewritten.

In the old days lawyers were paid by the word. Now they get paid by the hour. Makes me wonder.

At the January 20 council meeting Mayor Crystal Herrmann reported that both City Attorney Chris Madison and the attorney for the Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority are still meeting to write a new contract. There is no estimate as to a completion timeline.

So, if you were wondering what happened to the master development plan, you didn’t miss anything. It’s still sitting in someone’s drawer in Little Rock waiting for final approval.

Delivering Christmas gifts was an “Inspiration;” Alexander Fire Chief says

While giving his monthly report, Fire Chief Ryan McCormick paused to commend everyone who took part in the distribution of Christmas gifts this past Christmas Eve. He especially gave kudos to Police Chief Timothy Preator for starting the process.

“[I]f you were to (sic) involve Christmas Eve with the delivery of the packages of the kids in Christmas, was something that was very, was very, ... There you go, that's a more inspiration.” McCormick began. “And I wanted to, there were so many people that had their hands in the ball with that, from shopping to doing the wrapping of the presents, to just being out there and trying to make it get some money donated and all that kind of stuff.”

“And then the evening, everybody showed up,” he continued. “Christmas Eve was pretty phenomenal, just seeing that group of folks on Christmas Eve just going out there and going through the city and seeing these kids and families who were just, that were just excited, you know, and for us,” McCormick said. “So I personally want to say thank you to everybody that will have (had) a hand in that, and also to (Police) Chief Preator for beginning that process.”

Preator began his report acknowledging McCormick’s comments.

“It really was amazing what you were able to put together with the Santa Claus,” Preator began. ... We had a great time and it couldn't be done without everybody. We had help from Ms. Jennifer (Hill), and my friend, my members, and Ms. Angela (Griffin) and everybody.

“When you pull around the corner, you see a house full of kids sitting in the front yard. It's cool,” Preator said. “There were kids that we touched that weren't going to get touched with a good Christmas, so it was awesome.”

In other news

Organization of City Council 2026

The Organization of City Council for 2026 was adopted. The only change was moving the December meeting from the 21^st to the 14^th.  City Attorney Chris Madison said he thought being that close to Christmas might cause a problem getting a quorum due to some council members possibly being absent because of the holiday.

Storm water study grant

A resolution to hire Hallf Engineering to do a storm water study in North Alexander was adopted. The area includes all streets east of the railroad tracks. They are 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, Kelli Place, Main Street, AC Wallace Avenue, Vine Street, and Elm Street. Mayor Herrmann said the reason it is limited to Pulaski County is because the grant is coming from the Pulaski County Hazards Prevention program. Application for the grant was submitted in 2023.

Don’t end the Federal Surplus program

A resolution requesting the Federal government not end the Federal Surplus program was adopted. Alexander is only one of several local government entities citing how the Federal Surplus program allows them to purchase equipment that would otherwise be out of reach for them due to cost.

Police Department takes over code enforcement

While patrolling the city, Alexander police officers will now be looking for code violations along with the more serious crime activities. Police Chief Preator said the change was made to allow Firefighter Joshua Dodson to concentrate on animal control rather than splitting his time between the two duties.

Next Meeting

Due to the Presidents’ Day Holiday, the next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Tuesday, February 17, at 6:00 pm in the courtroom of the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). Meetings are open to the public.

After three years Alexander takes final step in Brownfield grant process

The City of Alexander has held its last public hearing in an attempt to receive around 3.5 million dollars in a Brownfield grant. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant will be used to raze the old hospital building on the former Human Development Center property.

Mayor Crystal Herrmann noted she began this process during her first month as mayor in January, 2023.

“It has taken us this long to get to the point where we qualify to apply,” Herrmann said. “There's been a lot of wonderful people that has helped us with this whole process. We've got ... the Central Arkansas Development District, that has assisted us, of course, with council’s approval.”

While no one suggested how the property should be developed, Herrmann was peppered with a barrage of questions. Responding to the various questions she said, “I don't know how many months it takes for them to release the awards. It will be within the 2026 window.” …

Concerning the future of the property Herrmann quoted the proposed master development plan. “It states mixed commercial residential.” …

The cleanup, “[W]ill stimulate some attention and maybe have some folks come forward more than to say, Hey, this is looking good. It's getting cleaned up. Hi, I'm a developer.”

Herrmann has been attempting to acquire a Brownfield grant in order to make the former HDC property safe for development. The grant program is funded by the EPA and is used to clean properties where the presence, or potential presence, of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant makes development difficult. The expectation is the hospital building contains asbestos, lead paint and potentially other unknown hazards.

Red box outlines the area 

involved in the grant 

application. The hospital is 

outlined in black.