Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Oct. 8, 2024 – A rezoning ordinance on its second reading prompted public outcry in Thursday’s City Council meeting.
The ordinance would amend the city’s zoning ordinance to provide changes in zoning boundaries for the property located at 5425 Southwest Drive as requested by Bruno Azemi.
According to information provided by Azemi on the rezoning application, he would like for the property, which is zoned as residential, to be rezoned as commercial to construct a restaurant, the Jonesboro Bruno’s Pizzeria. To do so, the lot would be cleared, and the restaurant would be constructed with a paved parking lot.
Steve Floyd, who lives near the property, spoke against the rezoning.
“Number five on the application, asked if the proposed rezoning is consistent with the Jonesboro Comprehensive Plan and a future use plan,” he noted. “He answered yes on the comprehensive plan. I looked over that. It mentions fast food restaurants. Doesn’t mention sit-down restaurants without a drive-through. Doesn’t mention restaurants with a liquor license. It just mentions fast food restaurants.”
Regarding a question about the rezoning effects on nearby property, Azemi replied that a family-friendly restaurant often adds value to homes in areas of residential development and that, while traffic was expected to increase slightly, it would well be within the limits to a main highway. He also said that a civil engineer will consult to ensure the lot and development have proper drainage.
Floyd disagreed with this as well, stating that he had spoken with several realtors in town and a couple of Jonesboro’s biggest developers.
“They tell me that commercial property in a residential area drastically affects it negatively to the people that want to stay residential and that’s what we want to do. There are several houses in this area. This is a residential neighborhood. It’s not a commercial neighborhood,” he said.
“Then I looked on to number 13… How do neighbors feel about the rezoning? He answers that the majority are excited but very few opposing. I don’t see anybody here that’s excited about it. Everybody I’ve talked to isn’t excited about it. I turned in 49 signatures of the last city council meeting that oppose it,” Floyd said.
He then went on to say that there are several commercial properties in this area, down the road, and there’s a new development up the road.
“I’m wondering why would you rezone this property and affect everybody negatively when he can go a few blocks on down to something that’s already rezoned commercial and those properties are there and they are for sale,” he said.
“This is happening right now to us, and it affects us very negatively. I just ask that y’all oppose it. To help one person to get this rezoned, you’re going to hurt several and I just don’t see where that’s right or how that would be best for the city,” he concluded. “I would just like to ask, like I did at the last meeting, that you put yourself in our place. Would you want this restaurant that’s going to be open until 10 at night… with traffic… with a liquor license right next to your house? I don’t think you would.”
If the rezoning is approved, the development would be scheduled to begin within 12 to 24 months.
This ordinance was carried on to its third reading, which will be at the next meeting on Oct. 15.