Planning Commission Approves Rezoning For Old Arkansas Services Center

A 42-acre plot of land near U.S. 63 may be on its way to being prime real estate after a commission voted Monday night to redevelop the land.

The Metropolitan Area Planning Commission voted 5-0 to rezone the land at 2920 McClelland Drive in Jonesboro from R-1 single family district to C-3 general commercial district after hearing from representatives from Centerline, LLC.

At one time, the land was home to the Arkansas Services Center.

The center housed local offices for the Arkansas Department of Human Services and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, among other agencies, for many years before being torn down in 2013.

The area, which runs near Access Road and Browns Lane, is also adjacent to the Arkansas State Police Troop C headquarters, the Joe N. Martin Expressway on U.S. 63 and has several businesses nearby.

Developer Jerry Halsey Jr., who made the rezoning request, declined to discuss specifics about the project citing ongoing negotiations.

However, Halsey Jr. said there has been a lot of interest in the property. He also said generally that the area would be a perfect location for everything from big-box stores and office space to restaurants and hotels.

According to an 13-page summary of the zoning request, developers could build several types of businesses in the area.

Some of the examples include banks, convenience stores, doctor’s offices and farmer’s markets.

Halsey Jr. said it would likely be 12 to 18 months before anything specific would be announced for the project.

City zoning director Otis Spriggs said no city departments, including planning, police, fire, transit and local utility companies, had any issues with the rezoning request.

Spriggs said city traffic officials also looked at the request and gave their approval, noting many motorists already use Browns Lane as a shortcut to get onto U.S. 63.

While not endorsing the plan, Spriggs said the project would be a “good fit” with the commercial aspect of the area as well as meeting the city’s land use plan.

The developers also have to meet certain requirements as well before any work is done.

The project has to comply with city storm water and drainage regulations, a final site plan must be sent to the MAPC for their review and any work must comply with the city’s master street plan.

Voting yes were commissioners Kim Schrantz, Ron Kelton, Jerry Reece, Brent Perkins and Paul Hoelscher. Chairman Lonnie Roberts Jr., by virtue of being chairman, did not vote while commissioners Jim Scurlock, Jimmy Cooper and Kevin Bailey were absent.

The request now goes to the Jonesboro City Council for review.

Spriggs said Halsey Jr. has until (Nov. 12) Thursday to get the request onto the agenda for the council meeting.

If Halsey meets the deadline, the request could be heard by council members at its Nov. 18 meeting, Spriggs said.