The Little Rock Planning Commission on April 10 approved a conditional-use permit to allow construction of a one-story duplex at 2016 South Van Buren Street.

The permit, filed as Z-1000123, covers a 7,550-square-foot vacant lot. Staff said the proposed structure would total about 2,275 square feet (roughly 1,138 square feet per unit), use vinyl siding and meet ordinance-required setbacks. Staff recommended approval subject to the conditions and comments in the staff report.

The request drew opposition from nearby residents, who said the block is primarily single-family homes and that a duplex would bring increased traffic, noise and parking pressure. “I do not want a duplex next door to me,” said Bobby Hockenholt, who identified himself as living at 2012 South Van Buren Street and said he has maintained the vacant lot for about 10 years. Richard Farmer said about two dozen neighbors had signed an opposition statement and argued the rezoning would reduce nearby property values.

Applicant Eric James, a general contractor who said he has worked in the area for four years and owns a nearby home on Tyler Street, told the commission he plans to live in the neighborhood and expects the duplex to “bring value to the neighborhood.” James said the design is single-story with three-bedroom, two-bath units and that parking would be provided in the front yard area.

Staff confirmed the application followed notification rules and said R-3 zoning allows duplexes by conditional use; the applicant requested no variances. Commissioners discussed setbacks, parking and building code details (one commissioner urged the applicant to verify egress for windows at building-permit review). Commissioner discussion noted that an equivalent single-family house could be built to similar lot dimensions and that R-3 permits mixtures of single-family and duplex uses.

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

The commission chair encouraged the applicant and neighbors to communicate about construction timing and project details.