A planned overhaul to Siloam Springs' city code as it relates to manufactured housing reached the Board of Directors on Tuesday, as directors considered changes to both the zoning code and building code for manufactured housing developments.
Senior planner Ben Rhoads presented the ordinance to change the city's zoning requirements, which gained an endorsement from the Planning and Zoning Commission on Sept. 12. The ordinance follows the recommended denial of a permit for a manufactured home development in May and the subsequent passage of a temporary moratorium on such developments while staff prepared to propose changes to the city's code, which Rhoads said had not been updated in 20 years.
The proposed ordinance would introduce updated definitions and add new regulations to potential developments, lowering the maximum density and requiring more landscaping and common areas. Developments would also require a special use permit, and homes would need a building permit to be placed if the ordinance is adopted.
Other requirements include parking requirements and a mandated resident manager in developments of a certain size. Existing developments and homes would be grandfathered in under the ordinance.
"Looks to me like this covers pretty much everything we intended," said Director Carol Smiley.
Director Steve Beers urged the other board members to take the ordinance for the full three possible readings in order get the most feedback.
"It would be helpful if we could hear from you," Beers said.
The ordinance, along with the corresponding building code were both placed on their first readings unanimously.
Directors also placed a pair of ordinances that will establish zoning regulations for medical marijuana developments on their second of three readings.
Board members approved an ordinance for a sole-source agreement with International City Management Association - Retirement Corporation for a five-year contract to manage the city's deferred compensation plan. Some changes were made to the city's last agreement with ICMA-RC to allow some fees that are charged to participants to be eliminated. The changes will save city employees $60 in fees per year, said City Administrator Phillip Patterson. The ordinance went out as a sole-source agreement because other area providers don't typically administer municipal plans, Patterson said.
Beers asked Patterson if it was true that the city's direct reports are 100% in favor of the move, which Patterson confirmed. Director Bob Coleman said his job for 25 years dealt with similar plans, and he approved of the move.
"I am very pleased to see the flexibility in these plans," Coleman said.
The ordinance was approved on its first and only reading.
The board also:
• Approved an ordinance codifying the personnel authority of the City Administrator
• Approved and adopted an ordinance to rezone 708 E. Main Street from R-2 to C-1A.
• Approved and adopted an ordinance to rezone 2701 E. Kenwood Street from R-2 to G-I.
• Approved and adopted an ordinance to rezone 829 S. Mt. Olive Street from C-2 to R-3.
• Approved a contract with MetLife for employee life and long-term disability insurance.
• Approved a contract with Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield for health insurance.
• Authorized the county to collect taxes in the city. The tax rate is unchanged from last year.
• Heard an administrator's report from Patterson, who said that Siloam Springs had received a $10,000 grant from the Walton Family Fund for the library park improvements. Patterson also said Siloam Springs had been identified as one of the top 100 places to live in the nation by Money Magazine.
• Approved and adopted an ordinance updating the city's zoning code.
• Heard a workshop on the upgrades needed to the city's water treatment plant.
General News on 09/24/2017