The state took control of planning issues around the state Capitol and Governor’s Mansion some years ago to protect those historic structures. It took a lawsuit by Quapaw Quarter resident and preservationist Dan Cook to stop a plan to violate the land use rules in the district by constructing a five-story building across from the Capitol.

Stymied by the court case, the Capitol Zoning District Commission now is intent on rewriting the rules. Cook argues that, if the rules are to be rewritten when they don’t suit one particular developer (here a political buddy of Gov. Mike Beebe, Highway Commissioner John Burkhalter), what’s the point of having rules at all?

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PS — Though a proposal has been drafted to allow taller buildings around the Capitol (thus clearing the way for
Burkhalter’s building), the Zoning Commission will have to decide whether to recommend that change. It will meet on that at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Any new ordinance would be subject to review and “advice” from a legislative committee as well.

Cook has written to neighbors about the issue, saying:

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