An update on the proposal
to spot zone the 5500 block of West Markham Street to allow a Popeye’s chicken restaurant in what’s now a quiet office location.

The city planning staff opposed the proposal. The Midtown Advisory Committee favored it. But on Dec. 18, the Planning Commission voted 9-0 against the rezoning. You can read the minutes here.

The schedule for the Little Rock City Board agenda meeting Tuesday indicates the applicant has appealed the denial to the City Board. Tuesday, it will receive a resolution to set a hearing Feb. 3.

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Unanimous planning opposition is no guarantee of anything before the City Board. The Board, inexplicably and without explanation (except then-Director Stacy Hurst’s alleged private comment that she wanted to get even with the Heights neighborhood for “betraying” her by voting against her in a state House race) overturned the Planning Commission’s unanimous opposition to rezoning of residential property for a bank branch at a bad location on University Avenue between Kavanaugh and Cantrell. It isn’t over until it’s over with this bunch.

ALSO: Another item on the agenda that potentially holds some future controversy is an amendment to the master street plan to strengthen bicycle lane requirements on certain streets. Some in the city aren’t friendly to bike lanes, particularly including City Director Erma Hendrix.

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