Texarkana city Board to consider mixed-use rural zoning

TEXARKANA, Ark. - During a regular meeting Tuesday, the city Board of Directors will take up establishing a new zoning category, mixed-use rural.

The intent of the move, initiated and recommended by the city Planning Commission, is to continue residential use of rural land within the city limits while adding limited commercial use options.

"The land uses allow for both traditional land use of livestock and truck gardening and new land uses such as corn mazes, pumpkin patches and outdoor wedding venues with carriage rides," the proposed ordinance states.

"The majority of the land uses are set as conditional, always conditional usage when animals are included and require site plans, showing appropriate suitable fencing at the time of zoning or rezoning application so the conditional uses can be approved at the same time as the zoning.

"The existing animal density restrictions to one head of large livestock per acre is standard to protect the health, safety and nuisance concerns of neighboring properties."

Unlike in other zones, in mixed-use rural zones - abbreviated A-1 - it would be permissible to construct accessory buildings such as barns before or without building a residence on a property.

The Planning Commission has been refining the proposal for more than a month, since a workshop meeting July 27.

In other business, the Board will consider approving purchase of a crack seal machine for the Public Works Department's streets division at a cost of more than $86,000. The cost of the equipment is planned for in the current city budget.

The agenda includes a citizen communication time during which members of the public may address the Board on any topic for up to five minutes each.

The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday in City Hall, 216 Walnut St. A live video stream will be available via the city's YouTube channel.

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