Pea Ridge Planning Commissioners approved two requests and tabled a third at the regular February meeting Tuesday night. They also approved appointment of an additional member.
Chris Johnson, Pea Ridge, was approved by the Planning Commission for recommendation to the Pea Ridge City Council to fill one of two vacancies on the commission.
"I've been in civil land development for 10 years," Johnson said, adding that he has two sons who attend Pea Ridge schools. "I've always wanted to be more a part of the community."
Dr. Karen Sherman, planner, said: "One of the things, in our Planning Commission, we really need technical expertise, but we also need people with a vision for Pea Ridge, to keep the small-town quaintness. That's an important aspect, too."
His application states that he is "an experienced leader with a proven background in management, land development and civil engineering." He currently works for Harrison French and Associates, Bentonville, and earned a technical degree in 2005 from Northwest Technical Institute in architectural drafting technology.
Persons interested in serving on the Planning Commission should contact Mayor Jackie Crabtree at City Hall.
After extensive discussion about the drainage on Elkhorn Ridge subdivision and the possibility of a detention pond becoming a retention pond, planners tabled the request from developer Franklin Miller to change the pond's designation. The pond is built above a sewer line and Water/Wastewater Department superintendent Ken Hayes said he is examining the requested changes and will have a decision later
"I just don't think it will hold water with how porous that soil is," Hayes said.
"Once it's vegetated, it will absorb more water," M.J. Hensley, engineer and Planning Commission member, said.
City building official Tony Townsend said the city's code requires fencing a retention pond. He said a similar pond in town was a "mosquito pit."
In other business, planners:
• Approved a lot split for 40 acres into five lots for the Linda Samuel property on the corner of Lee Town Road and Guthrie Road;
• Approved a front setback old fire Station, North Curtis Avenue, by Fire Chief Jamie Baggett.
General News on 02/10/2016