Rezoning hearing precedes Alexander April council meeting

Before the Alexander City Council’s April 21 regular meeting, in its new role as Planning Commission, council members will hold their first rezoning hearing. The hearing is in response to an application to rezone the large, undeveloped area next to and behind the Dollar General and Post Office from Agriculture-1 (AG-1) to Highway Commercial (HC). What are known as Tract-A and Tract-B (See graphic) are owned by Robert and Jessica Burnett. For more details click HERE.

The public hearing is scheduled for Monday, April 21, 5:30 PM in the courtroom at the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). The regular April 21 meeting of the Alexander City Council will be held at 6:00 PM following the rezoning hearing. At that time the council will be able to vote on the rezoning request.

Listed on the agenda, under New Business, are the following items;

“Ordinance for Rezone of property on Alexander Rd.,”

“Ordinance amending Safe Driving Ordinance,”

“Ordinance for Juvenile curfew,” and

“Equipment discussion.”

Under the proposed Safe Driving Ordinance anyone found guilty of operating, “[A] motor vehicle in an unsafe manner shall … be subject to a fine not less than ... one-hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) and not to exceed three-hundred dollars ($300.00).”

The proposed ordinance establishing a juvenile curfew sets the age of a minor as anyone who has not reached the age of 18 years old. The time of curfew will be set, ”[D]uring the period ending at 5:00 A.M. and beginning (a) At 12:00 Midnight on Friday and Saturday nights, and (b) 11:00 P.M. on all other nights.”

Exceptions include, “(a) When accompanied by a parent of such minor. (b) When accompanied by an adult, at least 21 years of age, who is not the parent and who is authorized by a parent of such minor, … (c) When engaging in the duties of bona fide (sic) employment or traveling directly, without undue delay or detour from home to the place of employment, or from the place of employment to the home. (d) When the minor is in a motor vehicle for the purpose of interstate travel, either through, beginning or ending in the City of Alexander, Arkansas.”

Under the category of “Equipment discussion” the council is being asked for permission to purchase a “[N]ew or gently used smaller excavator.” Three bids for a new excavator have been received ranging from $67,000 to $85,140.