Gentry City Council approves final plat, parking restrictions and three new street lights

GENTRY — City council adopted an ordinance accepting the final plat of the Matthews Investments,LLC, addition to the city of Gentry.

The new plat sub-divides land on the southwest corner of the junction of Arkansas Highways 12 and 59 in Gentry, making it possible for the development of a business on one portion of the land and leaving the remainder of the original tract available for other development in the future.

Council members unanimously approved - with Michael Crawford absent - the final plat of the property, with rules suspended and on three readings with a single vote. An emergencyclause was also passed, to make it possible for the development to move forward as soon as possible.

A McDonalds Restaurant franchise is in tentative planning stages for the corner property.

The council approved a new street light for the corner of South Collins at Gentry Blvd. (Arkansas Highway 59), a new light at Rebecca Street and Gentry Blvd., and the replacement of a light at Wilson Drive and Gentry Blvd. The lighting changes were approved by the State Highway Department. Two additional lighting proposals are yet awaiting approval, according to Gentry Mayor Wes Hogue. The lights will be installed by Empire District Electric, with the city paying a minimal monthly charge for each light.

A no-parking ordinance was adopted by the councilMonday, with rules suspended and on three readings with a single vote, making it illegal to park on either side of Smith Street between Arkansas Highway 12 and Fourth Street in Gentry. The ordinance was passed, with an emergency clause attached, because parked vehicles on the street have made it difficult for some of the fire trucks to make the corner onto Smith Street when responding to a fire.

The parking restriction goes into effect immediately and prohibits parking along the designated portion of Smith Street at any time.