PEA RIDGE — Declined for commercial use of her property, Chris Ankeny left City Hall angrily exuding profanities Tuesday, Jan. 5, at the regular Planning Commission meeting.

Ankeny had requested a rezone from residential to commercial on her property at 501 S. Curtis Avenue.

Last December, Ankeny requested a conditional use permit for an outbuilding on her property. The request was denied.

Ankeny opened a craft shop in the building recently, but was shut down by the city building inspector because the zoning did not allow for the commercial operation and she did not have a business license.

The monthly Planning Commission meeting began with a public hearing on both Ankeny’s request and a request for putting a mobile home on a lot on Barris Lane. The public hearing was a time for comment from the public. Neighboring property owners were notified of the hearing.

Ankeny said her property was adjacent to commercial property (Castle Rental) and that there are two other properties further south of her where commercial business is conducted.

Planning Commission member M.J. Hensley, an engineer, questioned Ankeny asking for a survey plat which would show property lines. In question were setbacks required by city ordinance for commercial property.

“Historically, people come to us at square one. It would have saved you and us time,” Hensley told Ankeny, saying that the building was originally purported to be a portable storage building

Ankeny said she asked the building official whether she needed a building permit for a portable storage building and was told she didn’t.

“We’ve discussed before that your lot isn’t big enough for commercial,” Hensley said.

Ankeny said the city building official, Tony Townsend, didn’t measure the property properly.

“This won’t get it, it’s not a survey of your property,” Hensley said.

“OK, just forget the dang thing,” Ankeny said, turning to her husband, saying: “They’re just a bunch of idiots, all of them.”

As she began to curse, Mr. Ankeny told her to leave the room and then addressed the commission members.

“I’m certain, without a doubt, that this was not originally for a commercial building,” Dr. Karen Sherman, chairman, said. “After it was built there, you asked for commercial.”

Ankeny said his wife began to have health problems, causing them to reevaluate their plans for the building.

Further discussion among planners centered on the long-range plan for the city which calls for the area south of the four-way stop to remain residential. Planners said that in the past there had been isolated rezonings which are called spot zoning, but that is not in the best interest of the city.

“The long range was studiedquite extensively within the last three years,” Sherman said.

Planners noted that other property owners had been denied commercial zones in the area in the past several years as well.

In other business, commissioners:

◊ Approved Bowerman’s request for a mobile home on Barris Lane to send to City Council for final approval;

◊ Elected officers naming Dr. Karen Sherman, chairman; M.J. Hensley, vicechairman; and Al Fowler, secretary.

News, Pages 1 on 01/13/2010