[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6249348,"mediaKeyId","3205852-d4632df7552503745db9dbd9ba0bfb57","parentId",3205852,"title","Hot Springs exempts seasonal vendors and event vendors from new food-truck-park requirement","audioSeconds",1174,"startMs",2572000,"endMs",3746000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3205852-d4632df7552503745db9dbd9ba0bfb57&start=2572&end=3746","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3205852-d4632df7552503745db9dbd9ba0bfb57/thumbnail_2572000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6249348/Hot-Springs-City/Garland-County/Arkansas/Hot-Springs-exempts-seasonal-vendors-and-event-vendors-from-new-food-truck-park-requirement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6249348-68d06f3c6d80416e7a3f8e60c6f33a67/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205720&Signature=oaIpuXd2KJTlCNuV2rAHkuZomTXMDmuWd~5kI4h1pHAkMXStfPWBZ0Bkr8uR8lkHE3aIuI48z6OrGlCJrEXiJtYtWuKNi8-MmJZJiTQ~ied2a26ixwTpjvp24DseAuK~RXG0OokbpxS4gERxKM7BlHsIc8izCp~CvZHSSU1E1ahQdLrzgQAjT6ymwBVRx3iqesVILXDy9ic4AYhgJG6pZ32~3p944MrEij-eX-lDjAATfPI4620FKuzk20uC5et1GwaF-9ZQ3C4KiknE04XcpcAIsPt1lpaoMFJjxjmKupyQf6oNL2iJgIlkDr1udf8ZqS-mV1GxjlpJTwIRV4GfOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Hot Springs, AR","date","2025-05-07T12:40:11Z","article","The Hot Springs City Board of Directors on May 6 adopted Ordinance O-25-25 to amend the city's zoning code and related ordinances so that seasonal vendors, permitted event vendors and certain existing mobile retail food establishments are not required to relocate into newly defined \"food-truck parks.\"

City Attorney Brian Albright briefed the board on the background: the board adopted a revised zoning code (Ordinance 65-13) on Nov. 19, 2024 with an effective date of March 1, 2025. The new code had required mobile food vendors to operate in food-truck parks; after review and meetings with vendors, staff proposed changes to avoid unintended negative effects on seasonal operators and food-truck entrepreneurs.

Albright explained the ordinance removes the food-truck-park requirement for the following: seasonal operations as defined by the Arkansas State Board of Health (establishments operating up to a 150-day period and limited to certain dispensed drinks and ice-based products); mobile retail food establishments that are participating in an allowed special event under an event permit; private events in which a mobile retail establishment is hired to cater for the duration of the event; and concessionaires/franchisees operating under separate city franchise agreements. He said, \"any mobile retail establishment holding a duly issued City of Hot Springs license for an existing location prior to July 1 of 2025 may continue to operate in such location subject to the rules and regulations of article 15 of our zoning code.\" Article 15 governs preexisting nonconforming uses and limits expansion or abandonment longer than 12 months.

Operators and members of the public spoke at the meeting. Seth Luton, a resident and vendor, told the board that food trucks provide an accessible path for entrepreneurs and warned that forcing trucks into parks could limit opportunities: \"food trucks is 1 of the easiest way that a young entrepreneur can come up and make some money on their own.\" He also said there are roughly \"280 restaurants\" and \"approximately 80 food trucks\" operating in Hot Springs and urged the council to consider how park locations and costs might affect vendors. Paul Hayes suggested the city could create designated paid parking spaces for food trucks in areas with paid parking to generate revenue and better distribute vending spots.

Directors asked staff to clarify terms such as when a truck would be considered an accessory use to a parcel and how a food-truck park would be defined; staff said accessory determinations are parcel-based and parks still must meet requirements such as permanent restrooms, water and wastewater disposal. Several directors said they supported the staff consultation with vendors and the resulting amendments.

By roll call the board approved Ordinance O-25-25. The ordinance allows current, licensed vendors at established locations to remain under nonconforming-use protections and exempts the categories listed above; it preserves the city's ability to establish food-truck parks going forward under the zoning code for new operations.

The ordinance references Title 16 (zoning) and Title 4 (transient merchants) of the Hot Springs Code of Ordinances and cites the Arkansas State Board of Health's definition for seasonal operations. Staff said they had met with vendors and that the changes were generally well received by operators who attended the meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","5-6-25 Board of Directors Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Hot Springs City Board adopted Ordinance O-25-25 on May 6 to exempt seasonal vendors, permitted-event mobile food operators and certain existing licensed mobile retail food establishments from a new requirement to operate inside food-truck parks.","taxTitle","Hot Springs City, Garland County, Arkansas","taxId",52830,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6249354,"Hot Springs approves vacation of small State Street right-of-way to allow fence, preserve handicap access",878,1485000,2363000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3205852-d4632df7552503745db9dbd9ba0bfb57&start=1485&end=2363","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3205852-d4632df7552503745db9dbd9ba0bfb57/thumbnail_1485000.jpg","/articles/6249354/Hot-Springs-City/Garland-County/Arkansas/Hot-Springs-approves-vacation-of-small-State-Street-right-of-way-to-allow-fence-preserve-handicap-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6249354-4b8fd30983eac2c8196e93dd6681811a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205720&Signature=NdTLTeK-uL4ueRXDXoG2xeIyQU2EhskOvlVou0WFTJWUB4LlHIV~bFVdEPnKI~AT3O31W2QFJuFDVSBz7zBz3L9Lwq2mEWOeqEWSdsXnZCsEyaqJ9sIqvrO1soqnayNod0UOydnWbGsuhsg8jXWcCJuqeUKhf1ter2dHNl4U20R0HEJV6Kbc2C3y7QpfmaMrqu14K-Ovu5UOoMxxEMbwtgv9gCOTVo-KKJgLfBxB3JCdBIvVq2Ur~5XqrxP5H0jhmuFKls6Av~D44StUiUUzGhjbOxtiroqllj~ksf4hOXmp3saDruJQHbxHj-FFtPMNNvijhe5hfqcTSpd-Liudiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hot Springs City Board of Directors unanimously adopted Ordinance O-25-23 on May 6 to vacate a portion of the city right-of-way along State Street to allow the property owner of 200 Pullman Avenue to retain the sidewalk and install a perimeter fence while preserving handicap access.

Property owner Kim Everhart and petitioner Chelsea Everhart said they are converting the former church at 200 Pullman Avenue to a residence and requested the vacation so they could secure the property perimeter \"while still maintaining access to the handicap ramp and allowing for safe fire egress from the bedrooms of the building,\" Chelsea Everhart told the board during the public hearing.

Assistant City Engineer Mike Hill reported that Miss Everhart acquired the building and that excavation during renovation required waterproofing of the foundation. Hill said initial engineering review found that sidewalks along State Street were privately placed and did not require city repair; however, a later survey showed a small portion of the privately placed sidewalk encroached on city right-of-way. \"The city engineering department recommends that approximately 3 feet of right of way along State Street be vacated to allow her to retain the sidewalk and fence the yard,\" Hill said.

Neighbors who signed to speak — Florene Walker (207 Pullman Ave.) and Monique Davis (205 Pullman Ave.) — told the board they support the vacation and the property's renovation. Director Dudley Webb and others praised the owner's efforts to convert the building to housing and supported the measure. By roll call, the board voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance.

The ordinance vacates a narrow strip of right-of-way along State Street; staff noted the sidewalk ends at the handicap ramp and then transitions into the Pullman Trail. The board did not specify additional conditions in the meeting minutes beyond maintaining safe pedestrian and fire egress access. The city engineering department will follow up on any administrative steps needed to record the vacation.","The Hot Springs City Board unanimously adopted Ordinance O-25-23 on May 6 to vacate roughly 3 feet of city right-of-way on State Street so the owner of 200 Pullman Avenue can fence a converted former church while retaining the sidewalk and handicap ramp access.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6249357,"Board awards demolition contract for condemned Hot Springs High School gym",395,1685000,2080000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3205852-d4632df7552503745db9dbd9ba0bfb57&start=1685&end=2080","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3205852-d4632df7552503745db9dbd9ba0bfb57/thumbnail_1685000.jpg","/articles/6249357/Hot-Springs-City/Garland-County/Arkansas/Board-awards-demolition-contract-for-condemned-Hot-Springs-High-School-gym","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6249357-6f5e79c2c62cff4423701f6fcfaad727/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205720&Signature=ohkkCCVbkCrxLdxgLF4xqK3dv1FHcOZt6wD1XvMxbLDiLTpshmw1Bs5Zr6Cef~KtkuxeioafZuEzL820qrXVh7D5Nzl5Oj5pp3B9q~f4DY3ueFbKjV4OXfGxqPZxFL2b0g0ozu7KvfT8f-SrsX2K8kTgZdNHsfHckPHBPd5wnd~xseIpweBXlTzJB2FoikOdkiNR4VwS6e686~VsTUFiY2jr2eKfAVJSqSUwT6TfBgNZZeYgZJduHCIB3xJTR6-pnsQBQ~Kn4C6PBDPwvNzJgo0xWc95Y4mA0AImzc20600AbFrFAFGjl-9tG4VVc22ibkeFXRMZoz2EwZLLKUUzow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hot Springs City Board of Directors voted 6-1 on May 6 to award a contract to Milton Excavating Inc. to demolish the condemned former Hot Springs High School gymnasium at 228 Orange Street.

The gym was condemned by the board on Sept. 6, 2022, and city staff said donors and the owner did not complete required improvements, raising public-safety and blight concerns that prompted the demolition effort. Chief Building Inspector Michael (staff member) told the board the city opened three separate bid requests since 2022 and completed phase 1, asbestos and lead-paint abatement, before soliciting final demolition bids.

Michael said that in November 2022 the city received two bids (Environmental Enterprises Group at $246,249 and Milton Excavating at $78,000) but that earlier bids did not include asbestos remediation. The city organized the work into two phases; phase 1 asbestos abatement was awarded in August 2024 to Environmental Protection Associates and completed. In a March 2025 bid opening, one bidder from Texarkana returned $1,222,660 while Milton Excavating submitted $130,000. \"Therefore, the recommendation is to proceed with phase 2 of the demolition and request the board award the bid for demolition to Milton Excavating as the lowest responsible bidder,\" Michael said.

Board members said they had no open permits on the structure and that the main roof and roof rafters were deteriorating. Michael estimated the structure at \"a little over 25,000 square feet\" and said a lien of $26,030 remains on the property for asbestos removal. Director Erin Holiday voted no; Directors Marsha Dobbs Smith, Dudley Webb, Karen Garcia, the trustee, and Mayor Pat McCabe voted yes.

By roll call the board adopted the resolution (6 yes, 1 no). The resolution directs staff to proceed with phase 2 demolition under the awarded contract. The city did not specify a demolition start date during the meeting.

Background documents provided to the board included past bid summaries, survey material, and the August 2024 asbestos-abatement contract. The city's staff report emphasized that the structure remained a public-safety risk and a neighborhood blight since 2022.","The Hot Springs City Board of Directors voted 6-1 on May 6 to award Milton Excavating Inc. the contract to demolish the condemned former Hot Springs High School gym at 228 Orange Street after multiple bid rounds and completion of asbestos remediation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hot Springs exempts seasonal vendors and event vendors from new food-truck-park requirement

Hot Springs approves vacation of small State Street right-of-way to allow fence, preserve handicap access

Board awards demolition contract for condemned Hot Springs High School gym