The Hot Springs City Planning Commission voted unanimously Dec. 11 to recommend that the Board of Directors approve a zone change for 675 Bayshore Drive that would allow the roughly 0.8-acre property to be subdivided into two half-acre lots.

Planning staff told the commission the application, RZ25178, seeks to change the parcel from Rural Residential (RN5) to Residential Suburban (RS) and is consistent with the Hot Springs 2040 future land use plan. Planning staff summarized findings that the proposed RS designation would be compatible with surrounding development and existing lot sizes along Bayshore Drive and Peninsula Drive.

"The application demonstrates compatibility with surrounding development and zoning and is consistent with the objectives of the zoning code," the Planning Director said during the staff presentation.

Jonathan Hartness, the property owner and applicant, addressed the commission and said he plans to "subdivide that one acre into two half-acre lots and retain them both as an investment." He told commissioners he currently lives on the property but has no immediate plans to build on the subdivided lots.

Commissioners asked whether the suburban zoning was requested because of Bayshore Drive and whether the applicant intended to build; Hartness said he sought flexibility for future subdivision and eventual sale. No members of the public spoke in opposition or support during the public-comment period on this item.

The commission called the roll on the motion to recommend approval; Commissioners Ashley Campbell, Wally Stone, Corey Scott, LaDante Walker, Bill Lamond, Janice Davis and Bart Stafford voted to approve. Planning staff said the Board of Directors will consider the commission's recommendation at a meeting on Jan. 6 at 6:00 p.m. in the same room.

The planning commission's action was a recommendation: the Board of Directors has the final authority to adopt or deny the zoning map amendment. If the board approves the ordinance to change the zoning map, the parcel would be designated RS, which, according to staff, aligns the parcel's zoning with its planned residential-suburban use and adjacent development patterns.