Alexander council considers variance request: Council accepts high bid for Kent property

The Alexander City Council is considering a variance request to change the planned construction of a site-built home to a manufactured home. This will be the second variance for the property at 14916 Regency Drive in south Alexander. The lot is at the corner of Regency Drive and Charles Street.

Property owner Heman E Montoya received permission in 2024 to have the single large lot divided into two smaller lots. However, the minimum lot size allowed is 8,000 square feet. Splitting the lot leaves one half with 6,916.5 square feet and the other is 6,901.5 square feet. Allowing the smaller lots was the reason for the 2024 variance.

The plan included building a single-family site-built home on each lot as rental units. After leveling the property with multiple dump truck loads of dirt, Montoya says the lot that faces Regency Drive won’t handle the weight of a site-built home. He still plans to place a site-built home on the lot that faces both Regency Drive and Charles Street.

City Attorney Chris Madison said Montoya will have to provide something in writing that states specifically what is being requested. This will provide something for council members to vote on at a subsequent meeting.

Council accepts $25,100 bid

Sealed bids to purchase the property located at 14805 Kent Drive, in Alexander, Arkansas were opened July 6 at Alexander City Hall. The property is owned by the city and was relinquished to Alexander in lieu of paying fines for property maintenance violations.

There were three bids. Council members accepted the high bid submitted by Teresa Canchola for $25,100.00. The other two bids were from Manuel Beza for $18,500.00 and Joaquin Avarodo for $9,000.00.

In other news at the July 20 meeting

Little Rock boxing club moves to Alexander

The Alexander City Council approved a user agreement that allows the owners of the Arkansas Factor Boxing Club (A.F.B) to use a vacant building near Community Center #2. Both buildings are on the property formerly known as the Alexander Human Development Center along Highway 111 in South Alexander.

The non-profit A.F.B is operated by Marcos and Catherine Lopez. The club caters to both teenagers and adults.

City to submit grant application to renovate Community Center #2

The Alexander Council approved submitting a grant request to renovate Community Center #2. The grant is provided through the Arkansas Community and Economic Development Program.

Council approves use of unused building for animal control

Alexander Police Chief Timothy Preator told council members that Alexander, Bauxite and Shannon Hills officials have been discussing the formation of a regional animal control. But, Preator said they don’t want to get too deep in their planning without a building to operate from.

Council members approved use of the brown, brick building for animal control. The building is on the former Human Development Center property along Highway 111 in South Alexander.

Preator said the building would mainly serve as a place to temporarily lockup strays. He even suggested Alexander would charge Bauxite and Shannon Hills for keeping their strays until they are released.

Totaled police car requires amending 2026 budget

A resolution, moving $20,000.00 from the General Fund to the Police Fund, was approved by the city council to replace a police car totaled in an accident. The insurance company is covering $33,000.00 of the $49,000.00 needed to buy and outfit a new vehicle.

On July 1 a police car was involved in an accident, which totaled the vehicle. The officer driving the police car survived. He was responding to a reported accident at Main St. and Highway 111.

Street Department selling tractor

Council members adopted an ordinance allowing the sale of a 2018 Mahindra tractor. The ordinance states the tractor, “[I]s no longer necessary for the use by the Alexander Street Department.”

Back To School Blast Saturday

The Back To School Blast will be held Saturday, July 25, from 5PM to 8PM at Community Center #2. School-age children will be provided backpacks and school supplies along with water slides and free haircuts.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, August 17, at 6:00 PM in the courtroom of the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). Meetings are open to the public.