Jonesboro · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Jonesboro public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
ARcare clinic drive-through pharmacy at 22211 Fowler Avenue
ARcare is converting the former Morgan Stanley building into a health clinic and wants a drive-through pharmacy lane so elderly and disabled patients can pick up medications without leaving their cars. The lot is already 12% over the coverage cap, so drainage and green space trade-offs were the main sticking points.
Summit Utilities sidewalk and landscaping obligations
Summit Utilities asked to skip a required sidewalk and most of the required landscaping at its new equipment storage building because the costs weren't budgeted. The board refused, and staff will handle compliance through the certificate-of-occupancy process with a firm deadline.
NEA Children's Museum land request
United Way keeps its long-time space at 407 Union Avenue on a 10-year, $1-a-year lease. The North Jonesboro CDC lease for 911 Magnolia Road — shared with two other nonprofits — was tabled two weeks to sort out who schedules the shared space.
Chick-fil-A site variances at Southern Creek Lane
A new Chick-fil-A wants to skip the required cross-access connection to the Tommy's car wash next door and run three driveways onto Southern Creek Lane. The board weighed head-on crash risk and grade problems against the purpose of the access management ordinance.
160-acre annexation petition near Valley View
The Browning Family Trust asked the city to annex 160 acres of family farmland south of Valley View, partly prompted by City Water and Light's planned lift station. The committee rejected it 2-5, saying the city lacks the resources to extend police, fire and sanitation services and already has ample undeveloped land.
Downtown demolition of old City 57 and Justice Complex
Several council members urged the city to tear down the old 57 building and Justice Complex now that police have a new home, calling it a big improvement for downtown. Emison noted the Justice Complex site waits on E-911 construction.
New residential subdivisions in Jonesboro
Three plats — Woodridge Place Phase IV, Skypointe Landing Phase I and Whitetrail Crossing Phase II — moved forward, meaning more home construction and traffic in these growing areas. Woodridge's single entrance triggered a fire-safety sprinkler requirement for every new lot.
Brookshire Place Phase III completion
The final phase of the Brookshire Place subdivision, totaling 44 lots, is now officially platted, with streets and asphalt already finished. It's the last step for a growing residential area in the city.
Citadel Manor apartment development
A developer plans to clear out trailer parks on former Wohlam Drive property and build apartments, starting with six buildings in Phase 1. The site plan was approved, though staff will still review it against all city codes.
New single-family home on a 50-foot lot at 1423 Angelus St
A landlord is replacing a rundown house with new construction on a lot 10 feet narrower than R-1 zoning normally allows. Staff noted rezoning would look like spot zoning, so a variance was the path.
Restaurant development in Greensboro Village pattern-book relief
A new restaurant behind Arvest Bank and across from Shadrax needed exceptions to the neighborhood's strict design code — slightly less storefront glass and a smaller parking area. Shared parking in the development covers the shortfall.
Lot split variance at 1601 Granger Drive
A developer wants to split a 0.44-acre tract into two single-family lots without pulling a neighboring 14-year-old house into the subdivision process, which would trigger sidewalks and a detention pond. The board discussed the loophole of serial lot splits avoiding subdivision rules and floated adding a time limit. A rezoning from multi-family to single-family for the site is separately pending at the city council.
Permitting Process Efficiency Study Findings
The city hired Matrix Consulting to figure out why getting a building permit in Jonesboro is slow and confusing. The findings: four people across three departments handle intake, there are no published review timelines, fees haven't been updated since 2017, and two software systems don't integrate. The fixes — a permit center, a Development Services Department, better software use — could speed things up for homeowners and builders alike.
Triplex driveway setback at 3406 Meador Dr.
Commercial zoning normally requires driveways 20 feet from property lines, but the board allowed 5 feet for a new triplex, which also keeps the driveway entrances farther from the intersection.
Rebuilding a house on a 40-foot-wide lot at 307 N. Allis St
A condemned house's replacement needs a variance because the lot is 40 feet wide but the R-3 zone requires 50 feet. The board said yes, bringing a new single-family home — possibly a rent-to-own — to a spot that's been empty since sometime between 2014 and 2017.
Twin Oaks Reserve Commercial Subdivision
A 17.23-acre commercial subdivision got final approval. The north sidewalk is nearly complete with a bond covering remaining work.