The Hot Springs City Planning Department told the Planning Commission on Dec. 11 that staff will hold a work session on Jan. 8 at 5:00 p.m. to review a reformatted sign code and that the regular meeting will follow at 6:00 p.m.

Director (name not specified in the transcript) said the sign-code rewrite will convert lengthy text about sign types into a table or chart listing sign types, the zones where each is allowed, required setbacks, height limits and any size restrictions. The intent is to make the code more accessible; staff hopes to have draft text and a consultants reformat ready for the Jan. 8 session.

The director also said the department will work on subdivision-code updates (described as largely procedural a "cookbook"), and that the engineering department will take the lead on updating street classifications. Staff plans a more complex revision of the future land use plan map later in the year, with a mid-summer target mentioned during the meeting.

On housing, Chair (Speaker 1) asked that affordable housing remain on the commissions workplan. The director said staff is tracking a $750,000 grant administered by the National Park Service and expected a decision by the end of next week; staff noted federal staffing and funding-process delays had slowed progress. The director confirmed the department received seven applicants for the grant and said smaller projects using the new R3 zoning (which allows lots down to approximately 3,000 square feet) are already moving forward.

The commission also confirmed scheduling details for the agenda meeting (Jan. 2 at noon). The director said staff would resend committee meeting lists if commissioners had not received them.