Alexander council approves preliminary rezoning along Hwy 111

NOTE: DQ/Sonic voting has been moved to top of right-hand column.

(Edited to include farm zoning. 10/31/17)

The Alexander City Council voted to rezone around 6.8-acres for commercial development and 51.53-acres as multi-family housing along Highway 111. The vote is only an interim step that will allow developers to begin selling the commercial area to potential businesses. An ordinance to rezone the property from farming to commercial and multi-family housing still has to be written and approved by the council.

The property was part of the original farmland purchased to develop the Meadow’s Edge subdivision along Highway 111. Rausch-Coleman of Little Rock is developing Meadow’s Edge and now wants to extend the development to the other side of the highway.

Rick Ferguson, representing Rausch-Coleman, explained the development plans to council members at their regular October 16 meeting. The plan is to develop a commercial area fronting Highway 111 (Above, shaded green). To the east and north of the businesses will be a gated complex of two-story, multi-family units (Shaded red). A third section, 4.59-acres south of the commercial area (Shaded red), is expected to be developed for one or two single-family homes. Ferguson said the water and sewer lines for the new development will go under the highway and connect to the Meadow’s Edge system.

Ferguson noted they are having no problems selling homes in Meadow’s Edge. Between the number of new homes in Meadow’s Edge and nearby St. Joseph’s Glen he said there are enough “Rooftops” to show business owners the commercial potential of the area.

“There’s a friend of mine that has a Dairy Queen franchise, he’d be a good candidate,” Ferguson said discussing potential occupants for the commercial section. “Or, Sonic … whoever gets there first,” he added; noting you usually don’t see both near each other.

At the time of the meeting development drawings weren’t available to answer some of the questions posed. Before taking questions Ferguson explained the topography of the 51-acre site doesn’t allow for single-family construction.

Fire Chief Mark Ridgeway questioned the height and spacing of the multi-family units. His concern was whether existing fire trucks could handle any fire. Ferguson assured Ridgeway the buildings would not be higher than two stories and that he can work with the engineer during the design phase to work out any of his concerns.

Alderwoman Joy Gray asked about the size of the apartments. Ferguson said the next step is to do a demographic study of the area to determine the need for one, two and three bedroom apartments.

Voting “Yes” for the interim rezoning approval were council members Joy Gray, Joe Pollard, Melissa Ratliff, Harold Timmerman, and Juanita Wilson. Council members Elizabeth Bland, Dan Church and Jeffery Watson were absent and counted as “No” votes.

The next regular meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, November 20. Meetings start at 6 PM and are held in the courtroom at the Alexander City Hall. The public is invited to attend.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Voice your opinion at the top of the right-hand column; DQ or Sonic.

Alexander firefighters had busy Saturday; “Race for the Cure” and promoting fire safety

City of Alexander firefighters recently spent a Saturday in Little Rock supporting their wives or girlfriends during the “Race for the Cure” and later in the day promoting fire safety. Saturday morning, October 14, several of the department’s crew attended the 24^th annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Little Rock, which raises money to help fight cancer.

“We were invited by LRFD (Little Rock Fire Department) to attend the race and show support to all the ones that were in the race.”Alexander Fire Chief Mark Ridgeway said.

Ridgeway added the department was there, “Showing support (for the race participants) and Alexander city pride.”

This year the “Race” route started on the Little Rock side of the new Broadway Bridge, at Broadway and W. Second Street, returning runners and walkers from North Little Rock using the Main Street Bridge. The 2K Run/Walk ended in front of the Old State House on W. Second Street near the starting point. The 5K Competitive Run and the 5K Run/Walk ended on W. Capitol Avenue at S. Gaines Street.

Photo provided by Theresa Wilson Ridgeway.

In the photo are members of the Alexander Fire Department. From left to right are Firefighter John Acosta, Firefighter Dallas Ballard, Fire Chief Mark Ridgeway, Firefighter Joe Roundaville, Firefighter Brag Noblett, Firefighter Shelby Hawkins, and Captain Justin Potter. Five of the firefighters had either a girlfriend or wife participating in the race.

Meet Molly the Fire Safety Dog

Photo provided by Theresa Wilson Ridgeway.

After the race the crew set up at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library for Fire Safety Day. There they met Molly the Fire Safety Dog. Molly is from Clarksville, Arkansas and has her own Facebook page. (Click on Facebook.) October is fire safety month in remembrance of the Great Chicago Fire, which occurred October 8, 1871.

City of Alexander’s "National Night Out" Thursday evening

Thursday evening (October 26) the City of Alexander Police and Fire departments are hosting the Second Annual National Night Out (NNO). The event will be held in the city park, 15550 Robert Evens Road, from 5PM to 8PM. The public is invited to attend.

“National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live”, according to the NNO website. “National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community.”

Scheduled for this year’s event are goodie bags, dunk tank, bounce house, a fish tank containing Arkansas fish from Arkansas Game and Fish, face painting, raffles, food and drinks, a car show, community information and more. This will also give residents, who don’t frequent the park, a chance to see the many improvements made since last year.