Tree removals get OK from Planning Commission

One proposal was OK’d, while another was tabled for ongoing renovations at the former Super 8 motel property.

At its regular monthly meeting held Tuesday, Sept. 8, the Eureka Springs Board of Zoning Adjustment and Planning Commission approved the removal of two living trees at the former Super 8, located at 3010 E. Van Buren, but decided to table a pair of construction proposals.

Two living trees approved for removal are a pair of invasive Empress trees that are leaning at the back of the property, according to Mike Larrew, a local arborist.

However, neither the property’s new owners, nor any representative of the former Super 8, were present at the Sept. 8 meeting, so proposals to add a rear deck and swinging bridge were deferred by commissioners.

“There is obviously a big renovation project going on and there’s going to be a deck that’s going to be built off the back,” Larrew told commissioners of plans by the new owners. “But, regardless of the construction project, the Empress tree is an invasive species. They’re not in good shape, and as far as I’m concerned, all of them [on the property] should be cut down. But, these two specifically should be cut down for this project.”

BOZA also approved the removal of one living tree at 17 Berryville and a pair of living trees at 7 Martz that are within 10 feet of a home on the property.

In addition to postponing a decision on the renovations at former Super 8, the planning commission also deferred new construction at Java Dudes Coffee Company at 116 E. Van Buren. The proposal is to add a roof over the Java Dudes drive-through and a patio.

VISION PLAN TALK

The commission held a workshop before Tuesday’s meeting to continue month-long discussions on a vision plan for the city.

Devin Henderson, marketing coordinator for the Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce, and Rob Strauch, who leads the chamber’s economic development committee, attended and provided useful feedback on the project, commissioners said.

“We had a real good discussion with the chamber representatives,” said Ferguson Stewart, planning commission chair. “I think it was really important what they provided to us, and I really appreciated them spending the time doing that. I think it was very valuable.”

Discussion on the vision plan focused on economic development and housing. Henderson presented the chamber’s efforts to secure grants, improve housing opportunities and develop strategic partnerships. He highlighted challenges such as the need for a comprehensive social plan and the importance of having ready projects for funding.

The discussion also touched on the need to provide clear information to investors and the potential benefits of strengthening professional planning in the city. The committee emphasized the importance of being prepared for funding opportunities and improving infrastructure planning.

“It sounds like we’ve got maybe a little more than what we thought we needed to look at before we approved [a plan],” Commissioner Susan Harman said.

ZONING DISCUSSION

The commission also discussed the city’s zoning policies, including what is and is not included in city code.

“I do think that we desperately need to review our permitted uses in all of our zones,” Harman said. “I think we need to look at additional types of permits. So, we have [Conditional Use Permits], we have regular permits, there are permits with conditions, and then there is a category that is also called special permits. There are different levels of approval, I think, based on, and I don’t want to say history, but based on some of the information that I’ve received. So I’ve asked about a couple of businesses and asked how they were permitted. Some of those permits maybe don’t, they’re kind of a default, because we don’t have anything on the books to permit them in a different way.

“What I would hope going forward is, number one, we would have some permitting within our ordinances that maybe categorize some different types of businesses differently, but also that we would open up the discussion for our city clerk to say ‘Hey, I’ve got this business that wants to come to Eureka Springs and they’re looking for a permit, but I’m having to give them this permit because we don’t really have something that maybe fits exactly for them.’ So not only having that discussion with the city clerk when that situation arises, not saying that we’re going to quickly have a meeting and we’re going to go ahead and change our code, but that we’re aware of those things when they’re happening.”