The real work on a rezoning request that was approved by Jonesboro council members Thursday night begins anew Friday, an official working with the project said.
Gary Harpole of Halsey Thrasher Harpole spoke in favor of the Greensborough Village Project, which was approved by a 6-3 vote during the council meeting at Municipal Center.
The $400 million project, which is expected to create 4,100 construction and retail jobs, has been a bone of contention with supporters and opponents alike.
The Jonesboro Metropolitan Area Planning Commission voted in July to approve the request to rezone 201.23 acres from R-1 single family to C-3 general commercial district.
The project runs from Red Wolf Boulevard/Stadium Boulevard, north to Johnson Avenue and Arkansas 351, and will include areas for residential and commercial plans.
The Jonesboro City Council approved the first reading Aug. 19 and the second reading Sept. 2. The third reading was postponed temporarily on Sept. 16 to give developers enough time to answer questions from council members about the project, Mayor Harold Perrin said.
DEBATE
Harpole responded to the questions that were asked by council members.
Some of the questions included a request for a traffic study, a look at the economic impact of the project as well as the percentage of single family and multi-family residences in the development.
Harpole said a projection of about 43,000 vehicles per day that would travel through the area, up from the current 36,858, would not have a major impact on roads in the area.
Harpole also said the project would add about $30 million in economic development to the area economy as well as jobs.
“It is a $400 million project, with a $100 million impact … There will be 3,400 construction jobs in addition to the 700 permanent jobs,” Harpole said. “While there will be a 7.5 percent increase in traffic, there will be a 300 percent increase in economic development and a 400 percent increase in the number of jobs.”
Both supporters and opponents were given 10 minutes each to make their final pitch for or against the project.
Cheryl Cheshier of Jonesboro told council members that the developers did not follow proper procedure, including having community meetings and not filling out the paperwork properly, in bringing the request to council members.
“A meeting is not required,” Planning and Zoning official Otis Spriggs said.
Assistant City Attorney Carol Duncan agreed, saying that while it was not a requirement to hold a public meeting, the city will post signs in neighborhoods letting people know about any changes.
Dr. Chris Harper of Jonesboro said the development will be a plus for the area and region.
“I am not a math major, but 700 jobs is bigger than zero. And $30 million is bigger than zero,” Harper said.
Voting in favor of the request were council members John Street, Darrel Dover, Rennell Woods, Ann Williams, Dr. Charles Coleman, Gene Vance, Charles Frierson and Mitch Johnson.
Voting against the request were council members Chris Gibson, Tim McCall and Todd Burton. Council member Chris Moore was absent. City Clerk Donna Jackson told council members that Moore had an emergency with his job and would not be able to attend the meeting.
“While there was much about the project I do like in general, the actual zoning to allow the very high density, multi family was still a concern,” McCall said. “Going back to the fact that the Moratorium committee spent $50,000 in taxpayer money to find out that this area is already overburdened with high density multi family zoning was a huge obstacle for me.”
NEXT STEP
Harpole said the developers will look at the site development plans, starting Friday, to begin the next part of the project.
There has been a lot of interest in the development so far, Harpole said.
“We have talked to six to eight commercial (projects) with a high level of interest. And we have had several more with interest in the project,” Harpole said.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, council members:
• Voted to approve Trinity Rail’s participation in the Arkansas Sales Tax Back program. The rail car manufacturing company, based in Dallas, announced earlier this year that they would be moving into the former Nordex plant in Jonesboro. The company is planning a $30 million investment at the facility.
• Heard from Mayor Perrin, who honored high school students who participated in the Tek Starz program. The program, called the Jonesboro Summer Manufacturing Camp, taught students about manufacturing and the students were able to tour several area plants to learn about engineering and math.
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