Jonesboro City Council Approves $20 Million Apartment Complex Plan
by October 5, 2015 7:42 pm 118 views
A North Carolina company received approval Monday night to build a $20 million, 240-unit apartment complex near Arkansas State University.
The council voted 8-4 on the plan after some debate.
The project was approved on September 1 and 15 by the Jonesboro City Council for its first two readings. The project also cleared approval of the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission earlier the year.
Don Parker, an attorney who represents Zimmer Development, spoke at the meeting.
Parker said Zimmer would work with ASU on a plan to build crosswalks on Johnson Avenue. Councilman Todd Burton asked about whether or not students will live at the complex. Questions arose throughout the meeting on whether students could be considered a protected class under federal housing laws.
Stacy Lacoky, who works with the project, said officials will work with ASU officials to determine who is eligible to live there. She said while students are not a protected class under federal law, the student could be due to their race or national origin.
Councilman Gene Vance asked for an amendment to create a “student and faculty only” criteria for the project, with MAPC being notified quarterly on the issue. The amendment was approved. Lacoky said a third party security firm, possibly off duty police officers, would work 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. as part of the agreement with the city. Councilman Darrel Dover asked that the security plan have teeth.
Carolyn Carter spoke against the proposal. Carter, who lives in the area, said the proposal could add to traffic and other concerns. She asked Zimmer Development to add security at the complex.
Phillip Cook also asked if the rules would be enforced no matter what. Councilman Charles Frierson said the rules would apply to the property, no matter who owned it.
Voting yes were council members John Street, Mitch Johnson, Rennell Woods, Tim McCall, Chris Gibson, Ann Williams, Gene Vance and Charles Frierson. Voting no were council members Dr. Charles Coleman, Chris Moore, Darrel Dover and Todd Burton.
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE TABLED
The council voted to table until Nov. 3 a controversial plan to adopt the 2012 International Property Maintenance Code.
The issue has been discussed for most of the year. Supporters have said the code is needed to help with code enforcement while opponents have said the use of the code would infringe on private property rights.