City of Benton Community Services Committee to Meet January 9th

Community Services Meeting Agenda

Council Chambers
Tuesday December 12, 2023
Immediately Following the Street Department Committee Mtg 5pm

Committee Members:

Chair – Evelyn Reed
Vice Chair – Ann Spencer-Cole
Staff Liaison – John Parton, Director of Community Development

1. Committee Members:

   Chair – Evelyn Reed

   Vice Chair – Ann Spencer-Cole

   Staff Liaison – John Parton, Director of Community Development

   I. Establish a Quorum / Call to Order

   II. Recognition of Attendees

   III. Approval of December 12th, 2023 minutes

   IV. New Business

   A. Discussion/Review of Proposed Liens

   1. 2737 Ranchwood Drive (Clean-up/Nuisance Abatement)

   2. 6821 Grayson Drive (Clean-up/Nuisance Abatement)

   V. Old Business

   VI. Discussion

   A. Discussion/Review of Proposed Revision to Zoning Ordinance to Address Mini

   Storage/Self Storage

   1. Existing Moratorium on Mini Storage/Self Storage (expires March 27,

   2024)

   2. Draft of Proposed Ordinance to Amend the City of Benton Zoning

   Ordinance Mini/Self-Storage to Conditional Use Only

   VII. Other

   VIII. Adjourn

Minutes from Previous Meeting 

In Attendance:

Committee Members:

Vice Chair – Council Member Ann Spencer Cole

Council Members present:

Council Member Jeff Hamm

Council Member Judd Hart

Council Member Bill Donner

Council Member Jeff Morrow

Council Member Steve Brown

Council Member Frank Baptist

John Parton, Community Development Director

Code Enforcement Supervisor, Bruce Thomas

Tom Farmer, Mayor

Vice Chair Ann Spencer Cole, declares a quorum and calls the meeting to order. Introductions

are made around the room. Council Chair Reed made a motion to entertain approval of the

October 10th minutes, Council member Judd Hart made a motion, Council member Jeff

Hamm seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Community Services Agenda:

NEW BUSINESS –

DISCUSSION AND REVIEW FOR PROPOSED CONDEMNATIONS

1423 Cedar Street– Bruce Thomas approached the podium and stated that this property hasn’t

had utilities since March of 2021. The property has some structural issues as well as several

break-ins and vandalism that has occurred at this location. There is lots of trash and debris, and

little maintenance and care has been done for this property.

305 South Main Street – This property was purchased in June of 2022. This location was a

burnout. A remodel permit was purchased in September 2022. The Parks and Community

Development Departments boarded up this property after the fire and due to the vandalism and

high traffic. It’s basically just sat there with nothing being done except the yard being kept up

and mowed.

712 Edison – This property is a residential structure that was being used as a bail bonds location.

Utilities have been off since 2019 and the structure is starting to fall in on itself. Mr. Thomas hasSpoken to the owner; he has hired a contractor and a demo permit has been pulled. Mr. Thomas

fully expects this to be resolved.

422 South Street – This location was purchased in July 2022. A remodel permit was pulled that

same month. Some minor work has been done on this property but nothing in the last several

months. A reputable company owns the property but what has brought this to a head in the

condition of the property, high weeds, trash, ect., things the neighbors were starting to complain

about.

Joe Dixon, owner of 305 South Main Street approached the podium. He stated he did pull a

permit last year and got the property cleaned out. He said it has been broken into numerous

times and he has to keep boarding it up but that he does have a contractor scheduled to come in

in January. His goal is to restore the home and make it someplace nice for a family.

OLD BUSINESS – NONE

DISCUSSION/REVIEW OF PROPOSED PREVISION TO ADDRESS MINI STORAGE

AND SELF UNITS

John Parton, Community Development Director stated that the council passed a one-year

moratorium on mini and self-storage development projects. The discussion on what the next

steps should be were as follows: should the moratorium continue or end in February 2024 as

scheduled or, what should be done in terms of managing mini storage facilities moving forward.

One of the concepts would be to limit it to remove the right of permit for mini storages in C3 and

limit it to LI. If it’s removed as use by C3, LI would be the only option. We had the city planner

look at all the LI zones. We can also look to expand or amend LI zones. Mr. Parton stated that

the overall goal is to manage the development and growth of mini storage projects.

Steve Gabbard with Riverside Storage approached the podium and stated he’s concerned with

protecting the property values of the projects that already exist. He said that as long as it doesn’t

go into a nonconforming use it would be fine. He appreciated the consideration of the

committee.

Aaron Rasburry approached the podium and asked about a prepared draft. Mr. Parton indicated

he did have one that says its service commercial, LI and conditional use. Mr. Rasburry asked

how things would be addressed in the ETJ. Mr. Parton stated that they still have to meet the

conditions as they exist.

Gary Kennedy with Kennedy Development approached the podium requesting clarification. He

asked that if you are in C2 or C3 with an existing storage facility, does this mean your remain C2

or C3 or must you go to conditional use? Mr. Parton stated that you can have conditional use in

those zones.

MEETING ADJOURNED