By Ray King
Mayor Vivian Flowers cast the deciding vote Monday as the Pine Bluff City Council voted 5 -4 to allow Sarah Sheltman to place a manufactured modular home on property she owns at 6215 Brinkley Road.
The vote came after a public hearing that was held prior to the council meeting. Sheltman had taken the request to the Planning Commission in January but because several commissioners were absent a majority vote could not be achieved, and she was left with the option to appeal to the council.
In addition to the Mayor, Council Members William Fells, Bruce Lockett, Glen Brown Jr., and LaTisha Brunson voted to allow the placement while Council Members Steven Mays, Lloyd Holcomb, Lanette Frazier and Yvonne Denton voted no.
After the meeting, Fells explained his reasons for supporting the request.
The area is R-1 Residential and Code Enforcement Director Patrick Lockett opposed the request before the vote, saying that the manufactured home would clash with homes costing $300,000 that are also in the area. One area resident, Reginald Cole also spoke against the request because he said it would lower property values.
During the regular meeting, the Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution creating an urban agriculture task force.
Sponsored by Council Member Lockett, the resolution says urban agriculture provides many benefits including access to fresh produce, community engagement, environmental sustainability and educational opportunities.
Among its objectives will be to encourage the development of community gardens, rooftop farm and other farming projects throughout the city. Members of the task force will include a member from the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Department of Agriculture and a member of the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Office/Master Gardener Program.
The Council also reappointed Ethel Cogshell, Larissa Davis and Chantel Jones to the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Board of Trustees.
