PEA RIDGE — New landscape regulations for large-scale developments will soon be in affect, pending City Council approval.

Planners approved a landscape ordinance at the regular meeting of the Pea Ridge Planning Commission Tuesday night. The commission will refer the ordinance to City Council for approval at the next meeting set for Aug. 17.

The commission also accepted the state-mandated energy code for any body issuing building permits. According to Pea Ridge building official Tony Townsend, the city meets or exceeds these conditions already and has been enforcing them for three years, but has not adopted an ordinance until now.

In other business, the commission approved an application by Rachel Patton for a home occupation permit. The home occupation is the first step in the licensing process for an in-home daycare she plans to operate at 2053 Patterson Rd.

The next Planning Commission meeting is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, at City Hall. The meeting is open to the public.

News, Pages 1 on 08/11/2010