Some Pine Bluff residents criticized proposed zoning changes in the University Park neighborhood as detrimental while others supported it Monday at a public meeting.
About 30 people came to a public meeting Monday with city officials. The Pine Bluff City Council is scheduled to vote at a Dec. 7 meeting on a proposed ordinance that would provide for the creation of the B-6 University Drive District, a set of zoning and use guidelines intended to improve the area around the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and encourage economic development.
Lori Walker, Pine Bluff Economic and Community Development Department economic development specialist, asked people who opposed the plan to raise their hand. About six or seven people raised their hands.
Risie Howard spoke against the proposed changes and the process by which the city is moving it forward. She said she represents other citizens and that they were not notified of earlier public meetings.
“The city is acting in bad faith,” Howard said. “However, the city keeps moving forward. Are you going to operate as a dictatorship?”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Pine Bluff Zoning Director Lakishia Hill told Howard the city council was already set to vote on the proposed ordinance. She said Alderman Charles Boyd tabled the matter to allow for the Nov. 30 public meeting on behalf of a select group of residents.
Hill said they sent notices of earlier public meetings to 300 residents.
Bubba Pettigrew equated the proposal as benefiting economic development. He asked fellow citizens to be part of the solution, not the problem.
Robert Morehead said he objected to not having been notified about earlier public meetings.
Mayoral Aide Evelyn Horton apologized to any person who was not notified.
Lettie Trammell-Rayfus wants the city council to postpone a vote on the proposed ordinance until January 2016 to “give us time to digest” information.
Southeast Arkansas Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Larry Reynolds said no person would lose property through eminent domain. He said the proposed zoning changes would enhance property values by developing certain tiers for development and protecting existing homes.
Supporters of the proposed zoning changes say it would offer people a chance to live, work, shop and recreate in a pedestrian-friendly environment. Opponents said it will bring in unwanted businesses such as bars, nightclubs and gas stations.