Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Okay, I call to order the April 9th Hot Springs Planning Commission meeting. We will start the meeting with an invocation and pledge of allegiance. The invocation will be led by Director Scott, and I'll lead the pledge of allegiance. So, you please stand, please, please. Let us pray. God of Father, we thank you this evening for allowing us to be here uh to discuss and to dialogue about things concerning your citizens and this city. We pray that our hearts and minds will be clear and we'll be focused on uh what better serves us all. And that brings you glory. It's in your name we pray. Amen.

Amen. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Okay, thank you very much. Um, just quickly read some meeting procedures. When your when your name is called, please come to the podium. Address comments to the planning commission, not to the audience. Any questions you ask will be answered once everyone who who has signed up has spoken. We understand you may have strong feelings one way or the other, but as a courtesy, please remain quiet while other people are at the podium. It's a factf finding hearing. No need to repeat what has already been said. If a previous speaker makes the points that you want to make, please just acknowledge that. Um and and that'll be that'll be fine. So the application the applicant has five minutes to speak and other speakers will each have three minutes. Please respect those time limits.

Miss Sweet Dobs, would you please call the role? Yes, sir. Ashley Campbell here. Brian Gerky here. Wallace Stone. Bart Stafford here. Corey Scott here. Leonte Walker here. Bill Vowel here. Bill Lamont. Janice Davis here. Okay. May I have a a motion and a second for approval of last month's meeting minutes? So moved. Second. All right. All in favor? I.

Any opposed? All right. Motion passes. Um, so now we're going to approve tonight's agenda. I need a motion and a second for the approval of tonight's agenda. So moved. Second. Very good. Um, all in favor? I I Any opposed? Very good. Motion passes. So, our first matter of business is on the consent agenda. Uh may I have a a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda? So moved. Second. Second.

All right. Director Salman, could you please present that consent agenda?

Thank you. Uh the item on the consent agenda tonight is miscellaneous 260. The location is 427 Pringle Street and 2001 Hobson Avenue. This is an application to replace a freestanding sign and to install wall signs for a religious institution located in the RN5 zone district. And this is a corner which is why we have two separate addresses. The recommendation is for approval with three conditions. I'll read the conditions into the record. Approve application miscellaneous 260 for Temple Baptist Church as submitted with the following conditions. One, all construction and construction activity is to be accomplished in strict accordance with the development plan and all approval conditions and with the minimum standards, codes, rules, regulations, and policies as may now or hereafter be required or enacted by the city of Hot Springs, the state of Arkansas, andor the United States of America, including the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, whether or not submitted for staff review or planning commission approval. Number two, the applicant shall obtain a City of Hot Springs sign permit prior to installation of any signs. And three, the freestanding sign shall be located outside of the required visibility triangle. And that concludes the consent agenda.

All right. Very good. Miss Wheat Dos, could you please take the role on the motion to approve the consent agenda? Yes, sir. Janice Davis, yes. Bill Low, approve. Leonte Walker, approve. Corey Scott, approved. Ashley Campbell, approve. Brian Gerky, approve. And Bart Stafford, approve. Okay, now we'll move to the old business, new business part of the agenda. And director Sen, could you please introduce the first item?

Thank you. Uh, the next item is a reszone request RZ26064. This is at 706 Golf Links Road. A request to change zoning from RN1 to RN2 for 2.09 acres of land. Do you need them?

Um, okay. Could you please uh Oh, a motion to approve merely gets the matter on the floor for discussion. A motion and second do not mean that you're necessarily in favor of an application. May I have a motion and a second to approve the item with staff findings and uh and recommendations. So move. Second. Okay. Director S, would you please present the staff report on the item?

Thank you. The applicant and property owner is Chad Hwitt and he is requesting zone change from RN1 residential neighborhood 1 to RN2 residential neighborhood 2 zoning for property at approximately 706 GS road. um is future land use plan map designation of residential low and it is located in board of directors district number five. At this time it has a single family home constructed in 1940 and it is not platted. Has approximately 250 ft of street frontage along Golf Links Road. Adjacent and nearby land uses include single family residential and heritage health and rehabilitation. Surrounding zoning on the west, north and east is RN2, residential neighborhood 2, and to the south the zoning is residential neighborhood one. The applicant in his application states that his goal is to remove one very old rundown residence on a relatively large lot and uh redevelop it into eight more moderatelysized lots for single family residents. The findings with regard to the land use plan map is that a future land use plan map designation of residential medium high would be consistent with other nearby RN2 zone properties to the north. This property's future land use class of residential low is not consistent with the re requested zoning and therefore a

land use plan map amendment to residential medium high is recommended which would support the requested residential neighborhood 2 zoning. The finding with regard to the zoning map is that the applicant successfully demonstrates that the standards for favorable consideration have been met. Planning commission is able to establish a basis for recommending to the board that the proposed change demonstrates compatibility with surrounding development and zoning. The change would create no nonconformities and is consistent with the objectives of the zoning code. Additionally, the request implements the city's adopted housing strategy. The recommendation to planning commission is that you recommend that the board of directors adopt an ordinance amending the zoning map by designating the subject property RN2, residential neighborhood 2. Because the change demonstrates compatibility with surrounding development and zoning, creates no nonconformities, is consistent with the objective of the zoning code, and implements the adopted housing strategy. Also, uh recommend that the board amend the future land use plan map designating the property residential medium high. And that completes the staff report.

Very good. Could I get the applicant to please come forward, give your name and address for the record, and please let us know if there's anything else you'd like to add. My name is Chad Huitt. I live at 199 Arlington Park Terrace. Uh, and there's really nothing that I could add, but would would help in any way that I I could while I'm here. Okay. Thank you. Is there anyone else signed up? No, sir.

No. Okay. Uh, the public portion of that agenda item is now closed. Commissioners, do you have any questions? I I have one question. I may I may have missed something here. In fact, I'm I'm sure I did, but the uh the lot is that 18,000 square feet. Is that what the the size the existing lot? Yes, it's 2.0. 09 acres. So that would be I think there's 43,000 feet in an acre. So it' be 85 maybe 86.

I think I'm thinking about another uh another item. So okay, that's it. I withdraw the question. Okay. Uh Miss Sweet Dobs, could you please call the role on the motion to approve? Yes, sir. Bill Vowel, approve. Leonte Walker, approve. Corey Scott, approved. Ashley Campbell, approve. Brian Gerky, approve. Janice Davis, approved. And Bart Stafford, approved.

Okay. Um, the recommendation to the board is to approve and the board of directors will meet on May 5th. The first meeting in May would be on May 5th. Okay, that would be May 5th at six o'clock in this room and the board of directors will make the final decision on your request. Any question to be here for that? Uh, someone should be here to represent it. Yes. Okay, very good. Director Selman, could you please introduce the next item?

Yes. Thank you. Excuse me. Um, the next item is a reszone request as well. This is RZ26065. It's at 675 Bayhore Drive. And the request is to change zoning from residential suburban which is suburban RS um and from that to RN1 that's residential neighborhood one for approximately 089 acres of land. Okay. Um a motion to approve merely gets the matter on the floor for discussion. A motion and second do not necessarily mean that you're in favor of an application. May I have a motion and a second to approve the item with staff report findings and recommendations?

So moved. Second. Very good. Director Selman, would you please present the staff report on the item?

Yes. Thank you. The applicant and property owner is Jonathan Hartness and he is requesting to change zoning from RS residential suburban to RN1 residential neighborhood 1. Uh this property has a future land use plan map designation of residential suburban and it is in board district number six. the um this this land was recently zoned from RR to RS uh in December of last year and uh the board approved that in January. Um this is a request uh that will accomplish the same goal that the applicant had at that time but we have now a formal survey of the land which shows that it is slightly smaller than uh was thought at that time and so in order to create two lots where now we have one uh a different zone is necessary. So this uh is un unplatted still. It has 275 ft of street frontage along Beayshore Drive and approximately 135 ft along Peninsula Drive. Um it is not far from Lake Hamilton and is just inside the city of Hot Springs limits. uh adjacent and nearby land uses include Baywood Colony Villas, HPR and single family residential. Uh the surrounding property zoning. Uh there is zoning only on two sides because again this is at the edge of the city. Uh on the west and north there is

no zoning. that land is unincorporated and to the west and south we have RR rural residential zoning. Um the applicant is now requesting RN1 zoning to permit single family residential development with a minimum lot size of 10,000 square ft. Um he plans to divide the property in a responsible manner while remaining consistent with the residential character of the neighborhood. Um he notes in his application that approval of this request would maintain the established character of the neighborhood which consists of single family homes on a variety of lot sizes. um will use existing municipal infrastructure including water, sewer, and electrical service. Will support the city's comprehensive plan goals of efficient land use and sustainable residential development. Will allow the creation of an additional single family residential lot without creating negative impacts related to traffic, utilities, or neighborhood scale. Um, this request does represent a reasonable and responsible adjustment of zoning to align the property zoning with its actual surveyed size while maintaining compatibility with surrounding residential development. Excuse me. Uh the future land use map finding is that a designation of residential low would be consistent with other nearby RN1 zone properties to the southwest. Because this property's future land use classification of residential suburban

is not consistent with the requested RN1 zoning. A future land use plan map amendment to residential low is recommended in order to support the request to zone RN1. The zoning map amendment finding is that the applicant successfully demonstrates that the standards for favorable consideration have been met. Planning Commission is able to establish a basis for recommending to the board that the proposed change demonstrates compatibility with surrounding development and zoning and is consistent with the objectives of the zoning code and it does uh implement the city's adopted housing strategy. And the recommendation is that based upon those findings, you recommend that the board of directors adopt an ordinance amending the zoning map to designate the property RN1 residential neighborhood one and also to amend the future land use plan map to designate the property residential low. And that concludes the presentation.

All right. Thank you, Director Shelman. Would the applicant please come forward, state your name and address for the record, and let us know if there's anything else you need to add. You've got up to five minutes. All right. Yes, sir. This is Jonathan Hartness. I live at 675 Bay Shore Drive. I don't currently have anything to add unless you have any specific questions. Actually, just had one question and it's uh relative to the to the question I asked on the wrong item. Is there going to be a problem with an 18,000 foot lot being split into two in RN1? So the 18,000 square foot lot is the new parcel.

Okay. So together it was about 40,000. So that would be so originally I tried to go about it without a survey. Did my own measurements and they were wrong. So did a RM1, we did a RS and so now I've got legit survey. it came back and we can't there's no wiggle room there so I had to reszone again. Understand completely. Um so the public portion of the uh on this item is now closed. Commissioners, do you have any questions? No. No. Okay. Miss Sweet Dobs, would you please call roll on the motion to approve? Yes, sir. Ashley Campbell, approve. Brian Gerky,

approve. Janice Davis approved. Bill Vowel approved. Leonte Walker approved. Corey Scott approved. And Bart Stafford approve. Okay. The recommendation is for approval. And on May 5th, the board of directors at 6 PM in this room will make a final decision on your request. Okay. Thank you. All right. Director Selman, would you please introduce the next item?

I certainly will. Thank you. Um, this is uh the culmination of more than a year of work um by planning commission to take a look at the current sign regulations. Um, this is title 16, chapter 5 of Hot Springs Code. Uh a lot has changed since the last time uh the sign code was uh looked at comprehensively. Um sign technology and practices have changed over the past 10 years. Um it has been amended multiple times since its original adoption and the last time was uh 10 years ago. Uh that was ordinance 6166. And this was an emergency action in response to the Supreme Court decision in Reed uh versus the town of Gilbert, Arizona uh at which time the court stated that contentbased regulations um were not uh legit. And so the way our sign code was written at that time, it was very contentheavy. Uh there were a few things that scooted by our otherwise eagle eyes uh at that time and and still needed fixing on a contentbased level. Uh and at that time also um the court stated that strict scrutiny standards would be used in looking at sign codes. The Hot Springs Board of Directors 2026 goals identified uh code update and aligning the code with the 2040 comprehensive plan and more specifically

stated uh during this year that we were to complete a sign code update and planning commission has reviewed the existing sign code regulations and now provides amendment recommendations. s to the board of directors. Um this project began in July and um a total of 11 work sessions were held uh two of which included discussion and uh listening to the uh concerns of our signed professionals uh from our area. Um, at each of those work sessions, um, we looked to our goals for the regulations, which included providing clarity, um, adding some illustrations, providing flexibility for minor code deviations, aligning the sign code with future national sign trends, and also providing illumination and brightness standards. As the work sessions progressed, multiple drafts of new sign code regulations were produced, discussed, and revised again. Uh, our sign company professionals provided comment on sign code matters, including their experience with current sign code regulations, working with city staff, the proposed regulations, current sign trends, best practices, and alternative ways that signs could be regulated. Ultimately, planning commission's activity concluded with the April 2nd, 2026 work session

and uh what is presented tonight for recommendation to the board is sign code draft 2.0 dated April 2nd, 2026. The proposed sign code contains new standards including administrative review and approval for minor deviations from code requirements, the illumination and brightness standards, new sign types, updated freestanding signs and height requirements, and modified the sign permit application fee method. as well as providing for provisions for light pole banners on private property uh specifically parking lots. The sign code draft um illustrates more regulations in table format and also contains uh drawings of many different kinds of signs which we hope simplify how we apply these regulations. Um the tables summarize the regulations and I think provide visual clarity as well on what the sign code requirements are. The finding is that the city's current sign regulations are codified in title 16 chapter 5 of hot springs code. Uh this is a specific action item from the board of directors for 2026. Planning Commission has held multiple publicly advertised work sessions from July 2025 through March 2026 to assess existing regulations, identify areas requiring update and also identifying alternative approaches to

sign code regulation. Um the work sessions concluded with this draft which we have before us this evening and I think we have some interested public here to help with your decision- making. So, uh, the recommendation is that after considering the record and public testimony, uh, that you will find you are able to recommend to the board that they adopt an ordinance amending the Hot Springs Code, Title 16, Chapter 5, and establishing new sign code regulations for the city of Hot Springs. And that completes the staff report.

Thank you very much, Director Selman. I think we probably have some people signed up to speak. Um, okay. Here's I think I forgot to do the uh a motion and a second to get the uh approval on the floor. Uh, a motion second merely gets the matter on the floor for discussion. Uh, do I have a motion and a second to approve the item with staff findings and recommendations? So, approved. Second.

Okay, very good. Thank you. Apologize for that uh for that problem there. Okay, our first uh person signed up is Christopher Despacio. I know I've got the name wrong. Uh, you've got up to three minutes. Uh just thank you guys for the opportunity to address you all here today. Uh my name is Christopher DeFosio. I'm with DX Signs. This is a family business. Um we focus on manufacturing uh installation as well, but the focus is on manufacturing. Um I'm going to read a little bit off my phone here. Uh I started want I just wanted to start with the the purpose of signage in general has always been to advertise. And so it's to grab attention. That is what they are there for. So these some of these restrictions on size and on height when it comes to different areas. I understand that we have a historical district here in Hot Springs and we want to keep that beautiful. Same with residential. Um people do live here, but we also have, you know, busy streets, large streets. 18 wheelers are on our roads and we want to focus on on just keeping the streets safe. And so with bigger signs, same same reason that we have, you know, highway signs that are overhead and four times as large than anything you'll see on the side of a residential or even our historic districts here. For that reason, in our commercial areas, this is a big city. Um, it's spread out, but if we start putting too many restrictions on those on those sign sizes on the, you know, the southern side of of the city, it's going to drive those businesses out and elsewhere. um they wanted to grab attention. And then secondly, um with kind of the movement towards LED lighting, um I saw that we wanted to

limit the the time that it's lit. Um I know in previous in meetings before it's been mentioned about hotel signs or motel signs, you know, people come in late at night. Um anyone who's traveling, they're coming in late at night. They need to find the places that they're going. Yes, we in this modern town, we mostly use our cell phones and word of mouth in towns like this. Um, however, we draw in here an older crowd. It's it's a tourist town. Um, those people are coming for the nature. Oftentimes at night, we're not supposed to be on our phones anyways while driving. So, having things well lit is good, but as far as LEDs go, that technology is designed to be running continuously. Um the the constant on and off switches um it actually is bad for the power banks. Dimming lights is what is recommended. There should be I understand that we should dim lights in the evening and then even more so maybe um in the in the late night hours, but a complete shut off doesn't make sense for for the LEDs how LEDs work um nor for some of the businesses we have here. Um um one other note is that for every every company that we have worked for, every time that we put in a new sign, um they are often larger and brighter and better. And immediately we get reports back from those businesses saying, "Hey, thank you so much. Um we are making more revenue. Uh we have more people coming in. There's new customers. People haven't seen this. It helps the city. It helps employees. and it helps those businesses. Thank you guys for your time.

Thank you. Appreciate the comments. Uh next we have David Hamilton.

Please uh give us your name and address for the record. Good evening. I'm David Hamilton. I'm the CEO and corporate counsel for size sign company and for the Arkansas territory of Yesco sign and lighting. Uh I appreciate the opportunity to speak tonight. We participated in the November the 1st planning session and the March 25th planning session where you invited uh the sign industry to participate and uh we appreciate that opportunity. I'd also like to say that I appreciate the time that you've you've devoted in developing the new signed code. It required a lot of time and a lot of hard work and effort. And I know because I was appointed by the board of directors back in 2001 when we drafted the the the various code provisions that are in place now that you're revising and amending. And we met every Tuesday night for a year for the that whole project. U so I know it's a lot of hard work. We've reviewed the new code in its entirety and we've submitted uh information to you guys previously and in connection with the the five goals the providing clarity to regulations first adding illustrations providing flexibility for minor code deviations aligning the code with future national trends and providing illumination and brightness. Uh we we agree with four of those five. Uh we we do not agree with goal number four. In our opinion, every city's different. And so um I don't know that it really matters what the national trend is. We think Hot Springs is unique. If you look at a population map of the state of Arkansas, um you see that we're ranked number 11. City above us is Pine Bluff. The city just behind us is Benton. And I would submit that we're very different from

Benton and Pine Bluff. We're we're a tourist community. We have a lot we're not on an interstate. Uh they're just a lot of things that are different. And so it's important in these ordinances and in sign codes to to look at the um the city you're in. I mean, I just got back from seeing Alice and Wonderland at the at the sphere in Las Vegas, and it's pretty amazing sign. The whole building is a dome sign and it it's amazing. But, you know, that's for Las Vegas. That might not be for Hot Springs. I don't know. Um, we also read the the new sign code that the new sign code has new standards. It lists the it lists six. And again, we agree with five of the six. Uh we don't support the updated freestanding sign size and height requirements that reduces the sign heights from uh a maximum of 35 ft to 25 ft and the maximum area from for large developments from 250 square ft for a sign to 100 square feet for a sign. No business that I've spoken to supports that change. Not one. So, I think that's something that's important to keep in mind as well. the uh I handed out some photos uh which were represented a quick drive about a 30 minute drive just down central and every one of the photos in front of you I think there's 25 are sign or examples of signs that I don't think you would find any professional that had a problem with but they don't meet this new standard they're either they don't meet the height standard they don't meet the area standard one or the other and they range from big developments like Cornerstone or Oaklan

to Sonic to you name it.

Mr. Hamilton, I I I apologize for interrupting, but we've kind of run up against the uh time limit. I um is there anything to wrap up your comments that you'd like to say? We're not opposed to the new sign code and think it has a lot of benefits like the the uh ability of staff to consider minor deviations, things like that. There's there's only two things in here that we're opposed to. It's the freestanding sign provision and the at least the way I read it, the LED provision that prevents videos. We don't think there's any valid reason for doing that. And three of the largest signs that do it are the city's signs at the end of or&ps whichever whoever owns them at the visitor center and each end of convention boulevard plus oakons plus Garvin Woodland Gardens plus cornerstones plus temperance hills. And we just don't think there's any valid reason to prohibit them using that sign in that respect. And if you pass this, I'm not sure what that does to those existing signs because it doesn't really look like they would be considered a grandfathered in sign because they're not it's not a structural change. It's just a programming change.

Okay. U Thank you for your comments. Appreciate that. Um so the public portion on this item is now closed. Directors, any questions or comments? Yes. Uh to David's last comment about uh not a constructive construction change, but a programming deal. I mean, are we prepared to I don't know that we're prepared to make a comment about how it affects it uh that I'm aware of because that is a valid point.

Yeah, that is that is a valid point. I mean, if you have it big enough to do that, then maybe it is grandfathered, but I think there probably needs to be a a stand on that uh for future situations which may come up saying, "Well, you did it for them." And and you know, you get back to the well, their grandfather. Well, are they? And then the other thing that I I wanted to just make sure of is that as a 43y year practitioner in the commercial real estate business, I've always been and most of my cohorts in the business, go big or go home. So with that said, I know reducing the max height of the sign from 35 to 25 and the square footage from 250 to 100, but just make sure that the variance process allows somebody to come state their case to be able to do that. I mean, I I I I understand that I've seen a lot in those years, but I don't know everything. So, I give it up to the fact that we have gone through a lot of discussion about it, and this board or this commission has shown me nothing but reasonleness and how they have come to their conclusions. But um that's just just want to make sure that process is in place.

Would you like me to respond? If you certainly want to respond to that. Yeah.

Yeah. Um uh let's start with the second one. And um the although we are changing the body that would hear appeals because as it turns out uh planning commission doesn't really have any authority to uh hear those appeals although it was written into the code. Um the the recent two recent sign requests that we've had for um uh to find that there was a hardship or there was a need for a larger sign. Um both of those have been approved and in thinking about it I can't think of any that haven't been. Um, I've been here almost 20 years. So, that I think is something where the city has a good track record of recognizing that um, as was pointed out, not every situation is the same and in a very very largecale project or a project where there is a a great distance from the structure to the edge of the road. uh if it's a high-speed road uh that there is a need for something that may be a little larger or situated differently from what the code states and I I think that there is no reason to expect that there would be a change in that um in the future with regard to the um the video on signs. I think what the code says, and if it doesn't, it should, is that they are not intended to be used as a way to

broadcast or stream events. Uh is not that there can't be any movement whatsoever on the sign. Um that that is not what you intended. Um, but you did not intend for large electronic message centers to be used to um, you know, to stream a final floor game.

Uh, that certainly would attract attention, but that is not what the sign is for. So, um I don't think it prohibits um movement. Sure. Can I just point you to one section? Sure.

Uh in 16-5 section 23 B9, it says animated video display screens, whether pre-recorded or streaming, spotlights or flashing signs are prohibited. And so when I read that, it sound like it specifically prohibited video display. That's what a lot of these LED signs do. I mean, Oakan advertises concerts or their their restaurants, you know, things like that. Yeah.

Garden Gardens advertises events. Well, they're still outside, I guess. But a lot of Temper Hill Cornerstone, they advertise items sometimes with video that have to do with tenants sales or whatever they have going on. Yeah, I I think it's way it's a little confusing. Uh we can take a look at that. Can we is it um kind of too much to come up with the lang the language and do a um an amendment now?

I don't think so. I think if it's if it's a concern, it should be dealt with. I I'd like to deal with it now before so it doesn't delay the process further. Um Okay. So, somebody uh take a swing at some language and we'll see um see if we can get something we agree on. Uh Director Gerky, are you okay with that? Yeah, I mean I I'm I'm fine with that. I I get it. I mean, no code is perfect, but I think this is perfect enough as long as there's opportunities for consideration of

Yeah. Yeah. various variances or whatever you want to call it, right? So, no, I I I agree and I I I know what we talked about in our sessions. Um, when you read that back, Mr. Hamilton, I I understood where your concern might lie, but uh it doesn't just roll off the tip of my tongue to come up with a alternative uh statement there. Um, I don't have that page directly in front of me. Let's see.

I think it um Well, let's see. Did you find the page? No, it's page 20. Yeah. 122.

The portion I was reading was on page 20 of 23. Right. And that is the same page. Yeah. So would it be just a matter of approving the code subject to amendment or review of the section David mentioned? No, we could amend it now, right? You can amend it now. Yeah, that would be my preference if we could do that. Okay. So what does yours say? What does it say at the bottom? I guess it would be subject to be all brights. Oh, yeah. This this has all been reviewed and will

what we're getting ready to do before it goes to the board. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Um Okay. Animated video Please,

if if I could suggest, I I don't think you want to eliminate prohibiting spotlights or flashing signs that flash just for the sake of flashing. Yeah. Um but the rest, you know, go for it. Okay. video with whether pre-recorded or stream. So, it's really when you're thinking about pre-recorded, you're thinking about the the video clips, for example, that Oaklan may play on their screen. I

Yeah, that's correct. Um the we were thinking about the the messages created by the business to advertise events going on within that business. Not like the example that was live broadcast type things like live streaming internet or network television shows or things like that. We're not having any problem with that prohibiting those things. Okay. Animated video screens. Looks like it just need some additional

just a few extra words in there to to uh maybe correct the let's see video display screen. So So maybe the issue is really streaming and also I would suggest the length of any pre-recorded videos because that also is in here. And if we said, you know, we left it with no limit, might as well be streaming.

So yeah, um say that uh animated, including spotlights or flashing signs are prohibited. Video display screens may display up to five second clips but cannot play streaming video. I I don't think you want to make it five. Okay. Typically eight. Yeah.

Eight is a a minimum. I mean what you might think about is whether the video display screen uh streaming maybe maybe that's I don't know what if you eliminated streaming and just limited um to video clips up pre-recorded pre-recorded video clips up up to X and line out or dream. Does that from a from a practice perspective, how would that work, David? 8 seconds. Is that what you said? Yeah.

Yeah, that would work. But from a statuto or regulatory standpoint, this isn't a prohibition deal. So, I think you need to phrase it the other way around. Yeah. Yeah. that video clips cannot exceed 8 seconds in length for an individual ad or message. In other words, you wouldn't want to Yes.

You probably don't want streaming live races out there in front or running final four games or you know that kind of stuff. But if it's if it's a short uh clip like that wherever the convention center advertise an event that's coming up or a convention that's coming up, they can do that in in short clips because most of their audience is moving anyway. They're walking or driving by. So, no advantage of having something really long. Yeah, maybe you just want to uh prohibit live streaming. Um

and and the flashing spotlight blah blah. Maybe you want it shorter, not longer. So take out spotlight. Did you say take out spotlight? Well, I I think you do want to prohibit a spotlight or flashing something that's, you know, in live streaming. But, you know, measuring how many seconds something is is impractical from an enforcement perspective. Yeah. And I get that. I don't think we want something in here that is impossible to

Yeah. enforce. It'll just annoy people. Why don't you just add from streaming or displaying live events? You just tack that in on the end of it and that clarifies the number nine. It okay. It sort of does, but it leaves open the possibility of just playing a video. Yeah. Just take the word live out. Just no streaming. Yeah, it's a that's a tough one. I guess that would be the distinction between an event and an ad. But then there's the enforcement issue. So yikes. What?

But streaming, you can stream something that's pre-recorded. Sure. So you can't take that out. It's just got to really hinder on something that's live. You don't want a live event that's displayed, you know, again, just using Oaklan as an example. You don't want the race. You don't want people, you know, videoing people walking through the facilities or sitting down at the restaurant that's live. But if it's a clip to draw someone in that's walking or that's parked across the street, they can actually see something.

Yeah, I I agree with all of that. It's just the definition of clip really is is is my only concern there. So I don't know. We trying to bite off too much here. Director S, give it Will you give somebody give an example of what a clip is? A clip. What is a clip?

Um, again, I'm just concerned about the enforcement end of it if we define that too much. So, I may be talking myself out of it. Not because I want to, but because I don't want I don't want our friends in the planning department counting how long every sign displays a message in Hot Springs. So, so just take video display screens out and we're not prohibiting video display screens. Okay, you could do that.

Can you make a motion on that one? I make a motion that we eliminate video display screens from um 26 or I'm sorry 16522 number seven or I'm sorry, we're on number nine. So, amend number nine to say animated. Uh, do you want the whole thing in there, video display screens, whether pre-recorded or streaming, or do you just want to take out video display screens?

We kind of have to do the I mean, what would be pre-recorded or streaming? Yeah. So, animated spotlights and flashing signs are prohibited. Okay. Okay. And and we think we can do this and make it subject to city attorneys. Absolutely. Okay. He Nothing goes to the board that doesn't get signed off by him. Yeah. I've I've had a bunch of seminars on practicing law and that's never a good thing.

Yeah. I I happen to be the opposite of Brian. He's go big or go home. I think if you go big, you ought to go home. But I'm I'm one of probably seven here that that that disagree with him. But I look at these things and I almost want to throw up. I don't see how these benefit our city whatsoever. But that's my view of the world. Yeah. Well, do you want to vote on the motion? Uh, did you have a second? Do I have a second on that motion? Second. Okay. All in favor of the motion made. Do we need to restate that for anyone?

Uh, I would be happy to read it. Uh, number nine would now say animated spotlights or flashing signs are prohibited. So, the animated comma spotlights, right? Well, I was going to leave the semicolon in there. Okay. Okay. All right. It's If you want commas, I'm there. If it's more uh correct to do it that that's that's fine. Um Okay. So, we have a motion. Do we have a second? Oh. Oh, you second it. Okay. Very good. Sorry. All right. All in favor of that motion, please respond with I. I. I.

I. All right, that passes. We have an approved change to item number nine. Okay.

I want to ask a question or make a clarification to the first the first um gentleman that got up and spoke on deliminated signs being turned off. midnight and 6:00 a.m. That's only within 150 ft of residence. So, if it's not, the sign can stay on all night. Right. Yeah. Right. Does that Does that help? I mean, good. Thank you for that clarification. All right then. Good discussion. So, uh, Miss Sweet Doto, would you please call the role on the motion to approve as amended?

As amended. Quick question. So, um, with that motion, are we with um video disgrace video display screens? Are we just opening that up since we taking it out or will uh the attorney have to address that and we come back with it? Um it you are recommending that it be removed as a prohibition and he will be reviewing it as you have amended it.

Gotcha. Yeah, it certainly leaves open an area that we discussed quite a bit. So, um, not sure where that's going to take us, but we have motion, a second, and it's been approved. So, now we need to uh vote on the overall motion to approve as amended. M. We do, would you please call the role? Yes, sir. Janice Davis, approved. Corey Scott, approved. Ashley Campbell, approve. Brian Gerky, approve.

Dante Walker, approve. Bill Vowel, approve. And Bart Stafford, approve. Okay. Uh, the recommendation to approve as amended has passed and this item will be on the board agenda at 6 o'clock in this room on May 5th. They will make the final decision. and and thank you. Yes, thanks for your input. Um, we'll see if we stepped in anything in the process, I'm sure, but uh, thank you for your input. Okay, so our next item is the director's report. Director Sman.

Oh, yes, the director's report. Actually, I have some stuff. Okay. uh subdivision code. The consulting team from Camios is conducting an analysis of the existing subdivision regulations as well as doing outreach with our identified stakeholders. And uh the stakeholder list came from people who have done development in the last two years in the city of Hot Springs that um was affected by subdivision rules. So I think there were what 11

people that uh they will be getting together with with uh Camaros and uh helping us to identify areas that need work. Um, we met with the master street plan consultants on Tuesday and this project is very welltimed to accompany the subdivision review. Um, very impressed with the team that they put together. Uh, they'll be looking at what the classifications of street should be. uh creating a functional classification um of all of our existing streets and putting together cross-sections of what should be included on the different types of streets. Um our existing subdivision rules for no reason that we can understand. David, you might know um you were involved in putting them together. um doesn't require sidewalks in residential areas. So, uh you know, but that that is one thing that um you know, the the street classification people will be looking at as we look at the subdivision rules too. And finally, um it appears that both state and federal legislative action is likely on manufactured housing codes during the upcoming sessions in 2026 and 2027. So, I know that we're committed to doing something on manufactured housing, but

given the likelihood of preeemption by a higher level of government, I'm strongly suggesting that um we continue that work activity to 2027. and at the beginning of 2027 take a look see where we are um with the other governmental uh activity and you know by the third quarter of 27 I think we'll have a a much more conclusive understanding at least of what the state of Arkansas is doing. Um there is strong activity um apparently to make manufactured housing more of a more of an acceptable option which is the direction that we were going in. So you know I I think we should wait. um we could go ahead and really uh get people's attention and be thoroughly annoying and find out that regardless of what we recommend that it's not it's not going to be possible. So if it's okay with you, I would suggest that we move that to the beginning of the third quarter of 27. Does that sound okay? Uh yeah, obviously with no reflection on the planning staff or our process, I'm disappointed that that's

the way it is. But given that reality, I think we have to be smart about how we spend our time.

Yeah. Um, I I saw the the list of issues that the Arkansas Municipal League is looking at for this upcoming not the session today, but next January and and that's that's one of the issues. So both uh manufactured and modular are both uh on the list for discussion. So I I do expect action. I just don't know what it will be.

Okay. Very well. Anything else? We did meet with our uh future land use plan map uh representative today and I'm very excited about that. Uh we're going to be going with uh Craft and Tall and they Kathy they have a good thing set up. Garver Garver, sorry. Yeah, not Craft and Tall. Yes,

that would be a surprise to them I think. Um Garver and they have a great team put together to work on our project. Uh there will be a lot of opportunity for public involvement and uh they they have a couple of folks who will be doing nothing but that and making sure that the community is aware that we are looking at the future land use map and trying to get that to comport with our policy document forward hot springs 20 240. So, and before you know it, you're going to be looking at Forward Hot Springs 2050. So, um I I think this is good. I think they're going to do a good job. They're looking at probably about nine months of work on that. So, we'll have something right at the end of the year.

Okay. Yep. Something finished. A lot of work in the meantime. That's that's it. So, yeah. Garver. Thank you. Thank you. So, with no further business, I call for a motion to uh to adjurnn. So good.