UPDATE 11/10/2023
MySaline is issuing an UPDATE on this article, with a CORRECTION:
While the information initially used to write this article came from a reputable source – the Arkansas Press Association – it came to us late and undated. This made some of the information incorrect for the time.
Shannon Hills Mayor Mike Kemp contacted MySaline about the error. “The zoning change was back in august. A public hearing was held. It was unanimously approved by the Planning Commission and also unanimously approved by the City Council.”
There is still a City Council meeting on November 21st as reported below, but the property zoning change at 14015 Sardis Road in Shannon Hills (also known as Mabelvale).
It is not on the agenda for the November meeting. The City of Shannon Hills holds its regular City Council meeting on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at Town Hall, 10401 High Rd E, Mabelvale, AR.
Image of 14015 Sardis Road from Saline County Assessor’s Office.
UPDATE 11/7/2023
Shannon Hills City Council will meet Tuesday, November 21st to consider changing a residential property to commercial. The City’s proposed Ordinance No. 2023-007, spells out the reasoning.
Translating from a language I’ll call “Legalese Lite,” it says commercial development brings tax revenue to town, taking the burden off the citizens, and creating local options. What it doesn’t say is whether they have a particular business in mind for the property. However, it seems like they might know of a pending opportunity, considering there is an emergency clause attached at the top of this potential ordinance.
Read more about the property below??
Image of 14015 Sardis Road from Saline County Assessor’s Office.
If the Council were to agree on invoking the emergency clause, then they could perform all three necessary “readings” in one meeting. Normally, an ordinance must be read (and usually discussed) over the course of three separate meetings. This clause means they could act right after the meeting, instead of waiting for two more months, since that’s how often they meet.
Let’s talk more about the details of the property. It’s at 14015 Sardis Road. The land is .36 acres, and there is a house on it with 1212 square feet, according the the Saline County Assessor’s records. There is also an outbuilding that measures just under 200 square feet.
The property is currently owned by Shannon Hills Mayor Mike Kemp and his wife, Penny. The Mayor owns several properties in Shannon Hills – at leasts ten. For this one on Sardis, its last change of hands was in September 19, 2001 for a price of $25,000.
Read the full ordinance below that will be considered at the meeting. The City of Shannon Hills holds its regular City Council meeting on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at Town Hall, 10401 High Rd E, Mabelvale, AR.
Read the ordinance below??
Image of property at 14015 Sardis Road from Saline County Assessor’s Office.
ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-007
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING REGULATIONS FOR THE CITY OF SHANNON HILLS, ARKANSAS, DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF SHANNON HILLS, ARKANSAS THAT
SECTION 1. The leadership for City of Shannon Hills strives to be good stewards of the public trust.
SECTION 2. The City of Shannon Hills encourages commercial development for the benefit of its citizens.
SECTION 3. It is the intent of the Shannon Hills City Council to encourage commercial development to help relieve the tax burden on its citizens while providing convenient commercial options for its citizens.
SECTION 4. The Shannon Hills City Council hereby amends the zoning regulations of the city of Shannon Hills, Arkansas, changing from residential (R-1) to commercial (C-1), as requested for 14015 Sardis Road, consisting of 1.34 acres more/less and is described as follows:
THE EAST 200 FEET OF THE NORTH 315 FEET OF THE SE ¼ NW ¼,SECTION 22, TOWNSHIP 1 SOUTH, RANGE 13 WEST, SALINE COUNTY, ARKANSAS.
LESS AND EXCEPT THAT PORTION CONVEYED TO THE CITY OF SHANNON HILLS, COUNTY OF SALINE, STATE OF ARKANSAS IN WARRANTY DEED OF RECORD AS DOCUMENT NO. 10-049088,RECORDS SALINE COUNTY, ARKANSAS.
The Shannon Hills City Council also approves the variance requested for the number of parking spaces required.
SECTION 5. If any provision of this ordinance is held to be void, it shall not affect the validity of the remainder but the remainder shall stand.
SECTION 6. WHEREAS IT IS NECESSARY FOR EFFICIENT OPERATION OF CITY GOVERNMENT THAT THIS ORDINANCE BE PASSED, AN EMERGENCY IS HEREBY DECLARED TO EXIST AND THIS ORDINANCE SHALL TAKE FULL FORCE AND EFFECT FROM ITS PASSAGE AND APPROVAL.
PASSED:
APPROVED: ______________
Mike Kemp, Mayor
ATTEST: _______________
Robin Baker, Recorder