Moratorium ends on watershed building
The Lake Maumelle Watershed zoning ordinance goes into effect today after a year-long moratorium on most development in the watershed.
In the past year, only single-family home construction has been allowed, and Pulaski County Planning Director Van McClendon said construction already taking place in the watershed will be grandfathered in by the zoning code along with existing developments.
The zoning code places numerous restrictions on development, including the height of a building and the number of animals allowed on a property.
But some zoning-code provisions remain in limbo after the Lake Maumelle Watershed Task Force spent August through March working on recommendations for changing the zoning code. Those recommendations are being vetted by the Pulaski County attorney and McClendon.
The recommended amendments to the zoning code could go before the Quorum Court for approval as early as next month.
$1.7 million reaped at tax-debt auction
The county and the state collected nearly $1.7 million in revenue this month after 255 tax-delinquent properties were bought at auction, according to a news release from the office of the commissioner of state lands, John Thurston.
Properties go up for auction after taxes have been past due for more than two years, although some properties are redeemed before auction, the release states.
Each county has its own auction every year. Last year, Pulaski County received $4.2 million of the more than $21 million collected statewide, the release stated.
The commissioner’s office recorded 135 interested buyers at the April 8 auction at Verizon Arena.
JPs back incentives for firm’s expansion
The Quorum Court endorsed a North Little Rock company’s participation in a tax-incentive program from its expansion on Northshore Lane.
Advanced Cabling Systems, a technology-installation company, applied for the Advantage Arkansas and Tax Back incentives from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, which provides them as part of the Consolidated Incentive Act of 2003.
The company will add 35 jobs, of which it has already filled 22, that will pay an average of $28 per hour. The expansion is a corporate facility that will manage the company’s growth in other states.
The company estimates the land-purchase, construction and equipment costs to be $935,000, and the new facility would be next to its building at 4950 Northshore Lane.
The measure passed 10-0 at the Quorum Court’s final April meeting Tuesday night, with five justices of the peace absent.
The Quorum Court must endorse the company’s participation for the company to receive the benefits.
Arkansas, Pages 14 on 04/23/2014