The Little Rock Planning Commission on April 10 approved rezoning 5924 Baseline Road from R-2 (single-family) to C-3 (general commercial) to formalize the existing convenience store and fuel canopy on the site.

Staff said the 0.4-acre property contains a 1,500-square-foot convenience store with a fuel island and represents the last remaining nonconforming commercial use at the intersection of Baseline and Geyer Springs. The Geyer Springs East Planning District land-use map shows commercial for the property, so staff said no land-use map amendment was required and recommended approval of the C-3 rezoning.

Applicant Hiral Huda told the commission the rezoning is needed to perform electrical work and other repairs tied to the site’s commercial operations. Huda said the pumps and related systems require commercial permitting and that the owners were not aware of the nonconforming status when purchasing the property.

One speaker, Troy Leahy, vice president of Southwest Little Rock United for Progress, said trash left by food-truck customers who eat at the site has created a dumping problem in the adjoining parking area and asked the city to monitor and, if needed, remove vendors who do not clean up. The applicant and commissioners discussed the issue; commissioners noted code enforcement and community groups would continue to address litter and vendors.

A motion to approve staff’s recommendation passed on a roll-call vote with the following recorded: Brown — yes; Bernard — yes; Hart — yes; Hodges — yes; McDonald — yes; Person — yes; Russell — yes; Samad — yes; Trimble — yes; Baxter — yes; Vickers — yes. The motion was recorded as approved.

The rezoning recognizes an existing commercial use and enables the owner to obtain commercial permits for repairs and electrical work.