Fayetteville Planning Commission to welcome two new members

Quintin Canada, left, and Kris Paxton
Quintin Canada, left, and Kris Paxton

FAYETTEVILLE -- The Planning Commission will have two new members who say they'll weigh resident feedback with the needs of the city when making decisions.

Quintin Canada, 22, and Kris Paxton, 34, will be at their first meeting as commissioners April 8. They will replace Sloan Scroggin, who was elected to the City Council, and Ron Autry, who completed two consecutive terms.

Incumbent commissioners Leslie Belden and Rob Sharp were reappointed. The Nominating Committee, consisting of half the City Council, interviewed candidates and made the recommendations. The full council confirmed the appointments Tuesday.

Canada, originally of Conway, works the front of the house at the Walton Arts Center and is a student at the University of Arkansas majoring in public health. He said he wants to bring a unique perspective, because he's not an architect, developer or contractor, as is common for commissioners.

Canada said he wants to be an advocate for neighbors. The Planning Commission makes recommendations to the City Council about rezonings, annexations and land uses. It can also recommend changes to the city's overall plans. Commissioners have final say in subdivision and large development plans and permits for conditional uses on properties.

"The city's master plan talks about how neighbors are part-owners of the city," Canada said. "The master plan that they make is supposed to have their input and their visions factored into it."

At the same time, Canada said he recognizes the need for different housing types and that rental properties don't equate to bad neighbors. Canada rents a house.

Paxton said listening and communication will define his time on the commission. Paxton ran for the Ward 1 City Council seat Sonia Gutierrez won in a December runoff with Olivia Trimble. He said he learned how to listen along the way.

"I think that's the route I need to continue going in, is listening to people, trying to come up with ways to resolve issues as they arise," Paxton said. "At the Planning Commission, each individual item is unique, and we need to treat them as unique."

Paxton said he also will bring expertise on stormwater, drainage and floodplain management. Paxton is senior project designer for Springdale, where he works on city drainage, street, parking and trail improvements. Before that he was technical services manager, stormwater program coordinator and floodplain administrator for the city.

"Over my career, I've worked with different planning commissions, and I've worked through different processes," Paxton said. "I think by being able to understand how staff makes their recommendations, we could improve some communications."

Other applicants to the positions were William Chesser, Will Dockery, Will Kellstrom and Lucas Regnier.

Planning commissioners serve staggered, three-year terms. They can serve two full, consecutive terms at a time. They earn $375 monthly for their service.

NW News on 03/23/2019

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