Argenta Flats seeks consent for garages
A variance is being requested to allow an expansion of the Argenta Flats apartments on Maple Street in North Little Rock, according to documents filed with the city's Community Planning Department.
The variance is needed to allow the apartments to have garages built into a 10-foot rear setback on the east side of the property at the 600 block of Maple Street, one block west of Main Street in downtown.
The request will go before the North Little Rock Board of Adjustment at the board's next meeting, at 1:30 p.m. July 30.
The apartments, to be developed by Salter Construction Co. of Conway, will be additions to the Argenta Flats apartments at the 500 and 700 blocks of Maple Street, also by the same company. Both existing apartment buildings are three stories in height.
The properties are within the Argenta Historic District in North Little Rock's downtown.
The City Grove town houses at the 400 block of Maple Street were originally planned to be extended through the 600 block, but no other town houses were constructed after the first set was completed.
Spencer appointed planning director
Shawn Spencer will become North Little Rock's new community planning director beginning Aug. 1, Mayor Joe Smith announced last week.
Spencer has been the city's assistant planning director for 13 years.
Spencer will replace Robert Voyles, who has resigned effective at the end of July to take a job in the private sector.
Spencer's annual salary will be $82,000, Smith said in a letter to the City Council announcing the appointment.
$30,000 approved for animal shelter
Aldermen unanimously approved Mayor Joe Smith's request to contribute $30,000 to complete improvements at the city's 53-year-old animal shelter.
The funds will be added to the more than $32,000 that North Little Rock Friends of Animals, the shelter's fundraising arm, has raised in the past few months to add air conditioning, skylights, new cages and other improvements at the shelter in Burns Park.
The Friends of Animals' stated goal had been $50,000 for the fundraiser. Any funds in excess will go toward other needs and programs at the shelter, city officials said.
The City Council voted 8-0 to approve the request Monday night. The resolution was part of of a series of legislation on the council's consent agenda, meant to be considered under a single vote by the council. Aldermen requested that the animal shelter resolution be voted on separately in order to recognize Friends of Animals supporters at the meeting.
"Y'all made it really easy for us to reach into the general fund and be able to complete this project," Smith said in complimenting the group's fundraising efforts.
Metro on 07/19/2015