The Little Rock Board of Directors is set to decide next week whether to allow the planned development of a Mapco station to move forward downtown.
In May, the city Planning Commission recommended approval of a zoning change that would allow the property at the corner of Broadway and Third Street to be turned into a Mapco gas station and convenience store. But city Planning and Development Department staff members are recommending that the board deny the application.
Several Pulaski County elected officials have expressed their opposition to the development, saying that it would add unwanted traffic to an already congested area. A vacant bank building sits on the property, which has been on the market for more than a year.
The ordinance before the board at its meeting next week would change the area's zoning from urban use to planned commercial development.
Planning and Development Department Director Tony Bozynski told the board Tuesday that the gas station plans aren't consistent with the city's goal to develop the area as a pedestrian friendly environment.
"We feel it's not the right location for this use," Bozynski said. "The idea behind urban use was to create a pedestrian, urban-oriented area. This, in our determination, is far from that. ... It's not pedestrian friendly at all; it caters to the motoring public."
Mapco director of real estate Steve Vanden Noven said in a presentation to the Planning Commission in May that the area is underserved in regards to convenience stores. The planned station will sell groceries and have an eating area.
Public officials including Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines, County Prosecuting Attorney Larry Jegley and County Assessor Janet Ward said the project jeopardizes public safety.
Vanden Noven countered that a lighted gas station operating 24/7 is safer than a dark, vacant lot with an underground garage where someone could hide. He also said that the gas station is not a destination point and that it would serve the area's current traffic, not attract more traffic to the intersection.
Ward 1 City Director Erma Hendrix said Tuesday that she's in support of the development, because the city needs the tax revenue that would come from it.
Tuesday's Board of Directors meeting will be at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Mark Stodola said city directors have been briefed on the application individually.
Metro on 06/25/2014