GENTRY — The city Planning and Zoning Commission is recommending the city council take enforcement action against Mike McCratic to prevent him from subdividing property into eight lots of 5 acres or more because of access issues.
The property in question is located near Arkansas Highway 12, west of Gentry (part of the northwest corner of Section 5, Township 18 North, Range 33 West) and just outside the city's corporate limits but within the city's planning jurisdiction.
The issue with the proposed subdivision is that the properties would not have the street access required by the city but would all be accessed, according to a survey map provided by McCratic, by one 40-foot access and utility easement with a small driveway. The city requires wider paved and guttered streets for subdivision access.
“I didn't know of the requirements,” McCratic told the commission, saying that county had approved his plan. He also said the lots had been listed for sale but now would not be sold while the access issue is unresolved.
Commission members present voted unanimously to recommend enforcement action by the council. Commission members Danny Feemster and Wanda Meyer were not present at the Thursday night meeting.
In other action, the commission approved a final draft of a new sign ordinance for recommendation to the city council. Commission members recommended increasing the number of days for the removal of campaign signs and banners to 15 days following an election. The recommended ordinance is expected to be taken up at the September council meeting.
The commission tabled the review of a landscaping ordinance until its next meeting to allow commission members more time to review the draft ordinance.