Alexander council delays development decision

Due to the lack of requested documents, members of the Alexander City Council decided to hold-off on any decisions concerning the Alexander Human Development Center (AHDC) property until requested information is made available. As it turns out developer Benjamin Handford and Engineer Bill Hope, Jr., of Hope Consulting in Benton, did E-mail Mayor Paul Mitchell files of the requested documents.

Planning Commission Chairman Michael Huck said he received the files but Mitchell said he didn’t remember getting that E-mail. Subsequently copies were not provided in the council members’ meeting packets.

Handford has proposed developing the former state-run facility, located along Highway 111 in South Alexander, for both commercial and residential use. The residential plans include renovating the former Tuberculosis Hospital into apartments and building multi-family housing units in the area west of the building. The remainder of the property will be commercial under his plan.

Mitchell has proposed deeding the property to a developer who is willing to extend Brookwood Road, where it turns to connect to West Azalea, through the former AHDC property to Highway 111. In the documents this exchange is referred to as the “Purchase.” The documents include an appraisal of the property, a cost estimate to build the new section of Brookwood Road, a “Purchase and Sale Agreement,” a “Mayoral Certification” accepting the agreement, and an ordinance finalizing the deeding of the property.

A key portion of the agreement is a guarantee the Brookwood Road extension will be completed. Toward that end the agreement includes placing the estimated cost of road construction ($423,279.00) into escrow. As sections of the road are completed an equal dollar amount will be withdrawn from the escrow account.

Both Handford and Hope expressed the need to have documentation that the council is willing to accept this proposal before they can proceed with the next step. Both Mitchell and Council Member Joy Gray apologized for the delay. The expectation is the information provided in the documents will answer everyone’s questions and this issue can be settled at the December meeting.

Proposed route of the Brookwood Road extension and
development layout.

The only other agenda item involve approving a resolution that updates the employee manual to match current policies. Police Chief Robert Burnett explained to council members the changes being made to the policy manual are already in effect.

The changes include establishing when overtime begins for the various types of employees. The standard 40 hours applies to “non-uniformed employees.” Overtime for police officers begins at 43 hours and overtime for firefighters begins at 53 hours.

Other changes include establishing a two-week pay period for all city employees. Also, the retirement and health plans have been added to the section involving payroll deductions.

The resolution passed on a voice vote. Council members present were Joe Pollard, Joy Gray, Juanita Wilson, Harold Timmerman, Dan Church, and Lonny Chapman. Absent were Elizabeth Bland and Jeff Watson.

The next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, December 16 at 6:00 PM in the courtroom at city hall. The public is invited to attend.

Alexander Fire/Rescue Department collecting "Toys for Tots"

 Alexander Fire/Rescue Department is participating in the 35th Annual USMC Toys for Tots Toy Drive on December 7th at the Outlets of Little Rock.

“We are proud to announce that we are now accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys to take to the Toy Drive!” it states on the department’s Facebook page. “All donations may be delivered to Alexander Central Fire Station 15413 South Alexander Rd. Alexander, Ar. 72002 or Alexander City Hall 15605 Alexander Rd. (Hwy 111) Alexander, Ar. 72002. Please ensure all donations are delivered to us by December 6th by 6pm so we can prepare them for delivery on the morning of December 7th.”

“Many departments around Saline/Pulaski County are also participating so if you do not live in our service area please reach out and see if your department is accepting toys and if not we will gladly accept them,” the announcement continues.

Point of Contact is Chief Ridgeway 501-794-8417 or Central Fire Station 501-847-5265 (if no answer, please leave a message and your call will be returned.)

2nd Annual Chili Cook-off, Bake Sale Saturday

This Saturday, November 23, the Alexander American Legion Arkansas Post 28 is having a chili cook-off and bake sale at the Alexander City Park. The event will be held from 10 AM to 2 PM.

If you want to participate in the chili cook-off contest there’s a $10 entrance fee per recipe. Besides bragging rights the 1^st Place winner receives an Edwards $20 Gift Card. Anyone wanting to enter their chili in the contest contact Post Commander Harold Timmerman at (501) 847-4919.

Rather than charging a set fee for eating, or have prices on the baked goods, donations will be accepted. This fund raiser will help to operate the Alexander Legion Post, now in its second year.

City Park marked in green.

Developer and overtime rules on Alexander agenda

Despite having only two items on the agenda, much discussion is expected at Monday evening’s Alexander City Council meeting. Developer Benjamin Handford and his engineer Bill Hope are expected to answer council member’s questions concerning plans to develop the former Human Development Center. A second agenda item concerns updating the city’s, “Personnel manual to include overtime hours for police and fire.”

Handford has proposed developing the former state-run facility, located along Highway 111 in South Alexander, for both commercial and residential use. The residential plans include renovating the former Tuberculosis Hospital into apartments and building multi-family housing units in the area west of the building. The remaining two-thirds of the property will be commercial under his plan.

The 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.

Developer considering different tact on apartment plans

What was expected to be a meeting to discuss a proposed apartment complex and setting a date for a public rezoning hearing turned into a discussion of a different proposal. The location remains the same; along Highway 111 across from the recently completed Meadow’s Edge subdivision. And, there are still two parcels along the highway dedicated for commercial development. What is now being considered, on the nearly 61-acres of land, is a mix of townhouses and single-family units.

Land owner and developer Walter Woodward told Alexander Planning Commission members Rausch Coleman Homes of Little Rock is pushing him to stick with single-family housing. Rausch Coleman has built and sold over 300 homes in the Meadow’s Edge subdivision and apparently they want to continue that success in the new section.

Woodward’s original plan would have provided around 700 individual apartment units, which would result in at least 1,400 residents. But now he’s reconsidering based on concerns over the type of people apartments sometimes attract and what the buildings may look like after 10 or 20 years. He also noted a mix of single-family and townhouses would reduce the number of people, which would be better for the area. In an E-mail exchange since the meeting Woodward said the townhouses would be a combination of rental and condominiums.

Since the purpose of the special meeting held November 12 was to set a date for a public rezoning hearing, that agenda item has been put on hold. Chairman Michael Huck noted the type of housing to be built will determine the zoning needed.

The original apartment complex would have required R-1.AC (Apartment Complex). Now that a mix of multi-family and single-family is being considered that type of zoning would be R-1.MF (Multi-Family). Huck said this type of zoning allows for apartments, townhouses, garden apartments, and duplexes. Single-family units are also allowed as a special use.

The next regular meeting of the Alexander Planning Commission is Tuesday, December 10, 6:30 PM in the courtroom at city hall. The public is invited to attend.

Original preliminary design. Red areas are proposed
commercial development.

Alexander Planning Commission to review design and rezoning request Tuesday

The Alexander Planning Commission is meeting this Tuesday to review preliminary designs for an apartment complex and commercial developments along Highway 111 in South Alexander. Commission members are also expected to set a public hearing date so the property can be rezoned from Agriculture and Single-family to Apartment Complex and Highway Commercial.

The property is owned and being developed by Walter Woodward, who also developed the Meadow’s Edge Subdivision along Highway 111. The property for the new development is located on the opposite side of the highway across from Meadow’s Edge. Both properties were once a cattle farm.

The special meeting will be held Tuesday, November 12, 6:30 PM in the courtroom in city hall; across from the post office. The public is invited to attend.

An early design concept. The two red areas are the proposed commercial 

lots. Behind them is the apartment complex area.