Murphy USA will no longer build a gas station and convenience store at South University Avenue and West 12th Street after the Little Rock Board of Directors on Tuesday rescinded an earlier vote allowing the development.
In a 9-0 vote at Tuesday night's board meeting, city directors passed At-Large City Director Dean Kumpuris' motion to erase the board's Aug. 5 vote that gave Murphy USA the go-ahead despite community opposition to using that site for a gas station. Ward 4 City Director Brad Cazort was absent for Tuesday's vote.
Mike Childers, attorney for Murphy USA, immediately withdrew the company's application after Kumpuris' motion passed, meaning the company will no longer seek to locate a store at the South University intersection.
The company is scheduled to have a proposal before the city Planning Commission on Thursday, however, to locate a convenience store and gas station at the intersection of Cantrell and Taylor Loop roads. Neighborhood opposition to that location has also surfaced.
At a meeting two weeks ago when Kumpuris informed his fellow board members that he planned to ask them to rescind the vote approving the South University location, Mayor Mark Stodola asked for a study to be commissioned on how gas stations affect surrounding areas, particularly residential neighborhoods.
But, no motion to authorize a study came from board members Tuesday.
At-Large City Director Joan Adcock questioned why, since so many gas station proposals have been opposed by communities recently, and Ward 2 City Director Ken Richardson argued that a study should be completed.
"I think [the city's approach] doesn't necessarily need to be reactive. I think it needs to be proactive and couched in the way we look at the overall development of our communities," he said.
Richardson read a long list of what the study should address including: How many jobs do gas stations create? Are they full time or part time? What are the salary and benefits? How does it impact the area economically? How many stores per capita are needed? Does it increase business around it? Does it encourage other developments and if so, what kinds? What are the effects on crime? What are the effects on child obesity?
Ward 7 City Director B.J. Wyrick agreed that the city should move forward with a study, but Ward 4 City Director Lance Hines was adamantly opposed. He said the city has zoning codes for a reason. Commercial zoning allows gas stations, so the board shouldn't create extra hoops to jump through for companies wanting to develop a property, Hines said.
"We are on a very slippery slope and I won't be supportive" of the study, Hines said. "Now it's convenience stores, next it's dollar stores, next it's 24-hour pharmacies and eventually Little Rock is closed for development."
Ultimately, the board made no decision on whether to commission a study. At-large City Director Gene Fortson said that the city has a competent Planning Department staff that should be trusted and involved if officials do move forward with a study.
City Manager Bruce Moore said he is still in the process of talking with entities that are capable of looking at the issues Richardson addressed and the overall question of how gas stations affect surrounding neighborhoods. He told the board to be cognizant of the fact that a study would be long-term and provide no immediate answers.
Metro on 09/03/2014