TEXARKANA, Ark. - With a unanimous vote during a regular meeting Tuesday, the city Board of Directors authorized creation of mixed-use rural zoning, a move meant to give residents more options for operating agriculture and other outdoor businesses within the city limits.
The new zone designation, called A-1, allows both residential and limited agricultural use, such as small-scale farming or raising livestock, of rural land in the city and is more permissive than other zones about accessory buildings such as barns. A-1 zoning would also allow outdoor businesses such as wedding venues, carriage rides and corn mazes.
The idea to create the new zone came from residents' requests to the city Planning Commission to allow such uses, with no options at hand for them among standing ordinances, City Planner Mary Beck said.
"We started reaching out to find what would be the best solution. And what was indicated and what we saw in other cities was a new zone that kept the residential use for people that don't want to live in the city, but they want to do more with their land," she said.
Much of the land the Planning Commission had in mind was annexed into the city limits in 2000 and is zoned as rural residential, or R-1. Property owners wishing to change to A-1 zoning must make a request to the Commission, which would bring it before the Board of Directors for a vote.
Planning Commissioner Boots Thomas explained the reasoning in a video presentation played during the meeting.
"There's opportunities for farmers markets, for produce stands, gardens, individuals growing small-batch livestock for sale and use - more than just for pets and hobby farms. We're enabling those things to take place unrestricted by the regulations that cover purely residential zones," he said.
Director Terry Roberts praised the measure as a "common-sense" solution that will benefit many residents of Ward 1, which he represents. Mayor Allen Brown said he liked that the move is "proactive and not reactive."
"This is the way things should work," Brown said.
The new designation is good for business, said Mike Malone, president and CEO of the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce.
"It also emphasizes our roots, a rural area, rural businesses. It's just plain good, not only for the environment but for the whole business community," he said.
In other business, the Board unanimously approved 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 Board's next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 20.