Hwy 5 development approved, two new developments discussed

(UPDATE-10/30/2019; Paragraph 12 has been corrected due to inaccurate information. We apologize for the errors.)

The Alexander city council approved the preliminary plat for the “Alexander and Five” commercial development. The plan is to build a convenience store/gas station at the corner of Highway 5 (Old Stagecoach Road) and Alexander Road; north of the I-30 interchange.

Two other projects are in the early stages of development. One proposal is to build a gated apartment complex, with a commercial area, across from the Meadow’s Edge Subdivision along Highway 111. The other is the development of the former Human Development Center, also along Highway 111, now owned by the city.

Timothy Daiters, of White-Daters Engineering in Little Rock, presented the preliminary plat for the “Alexander and Five” project to members of the Alexander Planning Commission at their regular meeting Tuesday, October 8. After discussing the proposal commission members voted to recommend approval to the city council.

The property will be divided into two parcels. One for the convenience store and the other will retain the former funeral home building, which will be converted into a medical marijuana dispensary. The dispensary will be operated by Natural State Medical Group, which is also purchasing the property. They will sell the eastern half to the convenience store developer.

There is some question as to whether the store will be a Circle K or a Casey’s General Store. While it was originally presented as a Circle K, Daiters told planning commission members the developer operates both. So, he’s not sure which it will be. It’s unknown when construction will begin.

According to Bing Maps there are two Circle Ks that could be considered near Alexander. One is along I-440, while the other is on Maumelle Boulevard. Both sell Valero gas. The nearest Casey’s General Store is in Cabot, which sells Casey’s brand gas.

During his report at the city council’s October 21 meeting, Planning Commission Chairman Michael Huck said developers of the Meadow’s Edge Subdivision are ready to present a preliminary plat for an apartment complex and commercial development to the planning commission. The development will be across from Meadow’s Edge along Highway 111. It’s the remainder of the property that was once operated as a cattle farm.

Huck said a special meeting has been scheduled with Walter Woodward for November 12, 6:30 PM in the courtroom at city hall. At the meeting commission members will review the preliminary plat and set a date and time for a re-zoning hearing.

Currently, most of the property is zoned for agriculture while a small section near the highway is zoned residential. The area along Highway 111 will be re-zoned Highway Commercial while the remainder of the property will be zoned Apartment Complex.

During the public comment portion of the city council meeting developer Ben Hanford spoke to the council concerning his desire to develop the former Human Development Center for both commercial and residential use. Mayor Paul Mitchell has been getting legal advice from a real estate attorney concerning the city’s plan to deed the property to a developer in exchange for extending Brookwood Road to Highway 111 and turning it over to the city.

The former Human Development Center was originally built as a tuberculosis sanitarium for African-Americans. Once a cure was found for the disease the sanitarium was converted into a children’s home. During its final years it was the home for individuals with developmental or physical problems that required adult supervision.

All of Arkansas’s The Alexander Human Development Center were was closed by the state as part of a lawsuit settlement. When the state couldn’t find a use for the property it was deeded to the city in 2018. Pathfinder's, Inc. is now providing those services in home-like buildings at the southeast corner of the property.

Hanford’s plan is to renovate the former hospital into an apartment building. Land behind the building will be turned into a residential area. The remainder of the property will be developed for commercial use. Hanford says he has contacts with developers for Harps Foods and Big Red.

Hanford asked the council what he needs to do to get approval for the proposed development. Council Member Joy Gray said she wants to see a “Business plan” spelling out the details of his proposal.

Huck told Hanford if he can have a preliminary plat ready in time the next regular meeting of the planning commission is the second Tuesday in December (December 10). Hanford said he could be ready by then.

In other business:

Council members approved three ordinances. The first two were in the category of “Unfinished Business.” During the September meeting each ordinance could have only one public reading because only four council members were present. It takes six for a two-thirds vote to suspend the additional two public readings required under state law. It also takes a two-thirds vote to pass an emergency clause for the ordinance to go into effect immediately.

The first ordinance establishes “Fees for Subdivision and Zoning Regulations.” This ordinance is a supplement to the Subdivision Rules and Regulations Ordinance and the Zoning Ordinance approved earlier this year. Both ordinances reference fees, which did not include a dollar amount.

The second ordinance established the Citgo/Flash Market on I-30 as another location for posting city notices. The ordinance establishing locations to post meeting announcements and ordinances for public viewing is an option used by cities and towns that don’t have a local newspaper. Under the previous ordinance public notices were posted at Alexander City Hall, the Alexander Post Office, Hess Gas Station, Elmo’s Grocery, and the Dollar General Store. The new ordinance keeps those five locations and adds the Citgo.

After adding Dollar General to the list, with local permission, Mayor Paul Mitchell says someone higher up at Dollar General decided to ban postings at their stores. Because five locations are needed the Citgo/Flash Market was added. Mitchell says Dollar General will remain on the list while he works his way up the corporate ladder seeking approval to post city announcements.

The third ordinance was approved under New Business. As Huck explained during his report, the ordinance entitled “Ordinance Establishing A Planning Area Boundary” gives the city some control over development within a mile of the city limit.

Once the ordinance is registered with the recorders of Pulaski and Saline counties the City of Alexander can require anyone wanting to develop within the planning area to meet any city development standards that are stricter than county standards. Huck said this is done to alleviate any future problems if the development is later annexed into the city.

Council members also approved the “Resolution For Overlay On Roads.” The resolution gives the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT) the authority to accept bids for the city to pave designated streets. Also in the resolution ArDOT is responsible for management of the project while the city accepts the responsibility of paying any additional costs and maintaining the streets after they have been resurfaced. Under the “Arkansas State Aid City Street Program” Alexander was approved for the maximum $250,000.00 grant earlier this year.

Streets on the list for re-paving are A.C. Wallace (between the railroad tracks and city park), E. 4^th Street, Jason Drive, Kent Drive, Alton Drive, Regency Drive, and Lindsey Drive. ArDOT engineers have estimated the cost of the 1.79-mile project at $257,550.00. It is unknown where the state is in the biding process, but if the estimate is accurate the city will have to pay the remaining $7,550.00.

Council members approved a maximum of $50,000 to make renovations to the city court room. Mayor Paul Mitchell said he’s been wanting to do this since becoming mayor and as long as there will be no court proceedings in November now seems like a good time.

Currently council members sit at one table, which is also used for the court. His plan is to build two long desks on either side of the judge’s bench. Council members will sit facing each other from the two desks. Attorneys will also be able to use both desks during court hearings.

Mitchell expects the costs to be shared by the court fund and the general fund. Only the judge, however, can sign-off on spending from the court fund.

Council members agreed to spend $18,000 for two refurbished police cars. Police Chief Robert Burnett told the council both vehicles are 2012 models, black and fully equipped. The cost of each car is $8,000 but $2,000 was added to pay for pin striping so they match the rest of the fleet and to drive them from Colorado to Alexander.

The City of Alexander now has an official seal. Another item Mayor Mitchell said has been lacking is an official city seal. Mitchell said he’s wanted to have a city flag made for city hall and something official to put on stationary.

Mitchell presented a full size mock-up of the proposed city seal that was actually designed two years ago by local resident Antonio McKnight. Council member Juanita Wilson said he drew it one day while waiting in city hall.

Mitchell explained how the train engine represents Alexander’s founding as a railroad construction camp. City hall represents the city’s growth.

Council member Harold Timmerman suggested adding the artist’s initials within the body of the engine. Mitchell asked about giving McKnight something for his effort. Wilson suggested $100. Council members voted to accept the design as the city’s official seal, with the addition of the initials and the $100 payment.

The next meeting of the Alexander city council is Monday, November 18 at 6:00 PM in the courtroom at city hall. The public is invited to attend.