Fort Smith board approves controversial housing development

The Fort Smith Board of Directors voted Tuesday (May 5) night to approve a zoning change that allows for construction of a controversial subdivision proposed by the Fort Smith Housing Authority.

A 57-unit single-family affordable housing — known as Clayton Heights — in a mixed income area was sought after the city board approved March 3 a zoning change requested by the Williams Lane neighborhood association. That zoning change nixed the authority’s original proposal. This new project is similar to what was approved by the city on North Sixth Street with the North Pointe development. The property is presently zoned to allow the development, and the authority has spent about $150,000 to prepare the project.

But the board voted Tuesday to reject an attempt by the neighborhood association — directed by Reva Stover — to include property owned by the authority in a more restrictive zoning class. Instead, the board approved a zoning change that did not include the authority’s property.

Stover said after the vote that the board’s action “sends a message that the future of that area is for housing that will definitely devalue our property.” She said a court injunction is the only way to stop the housing project, but she declined to say if that would be something the association will pursue.

“That’s a big step. We will have to think about that,” Stover said.

Ken Pyle, director of the Fort Smith Housing Authority, said he was grateful for the board vote and appreciative of the board’s dedication to hearing from all sides.

“I think they (board) saw that we had addressed all the legitimate concerns,” Pyle said after the vote.

BOARD DISCUSSION
The discussion prior to the vote began with Pyle reminding the board that the authority on numerous times met with Williams Lane homeowners and changed the project several times to respond to their concerns. One of the changes included pulling duplexes out of the project.

Stover talked about the future potential of the unique area and said the Williams Lane neighborhood association is supportive of growth, but wants to be able to address every new project that comes to the area to make sure it is a good fit.

“We want to see a future for our area that is different” from other North side areas, Stover noted.

Gerald Stover said the goal of the rezoning effort is to ensure that a large number of homes aren’t built in the area.

“Our main point has always been lower density,” Gerald Stover said.

City Director Cole Goodman, the first city director to comment, cut to the chase by saying, “I personally don’t like this development.” Goodman said there are other areas of town where such projects could be built, and encouraged the housing authority to consider infill (development on small parcels near existing structures) development.

Pyle responded by saying that the authority is doing infill, with have six homes underway. He said two will be ready for sale in June.

Director Kevin Settle wanted to know why the authority was so persistent to build in the Williams Lane area. Pyle reminded Settle that the land was given to the authority.

“The land was free,” Pyle said.

City Director Gary Campbell moved to approve the zoning changed that allowed for the Clayton Heights development. City Directors Campbell, Andre Good, Cole Goodman Don Hutchings and Bill Maddox voted for the motion. City Directors Settle and Steve Tyler opposed it.