Bryant Apartment Ban to Slow Population Growth On the Way Out
By: Josh Berry
Updated: January 31, 2013
A two year hold on all apartment construction in Bryant could be on its way out. The city discussed the issue at a council meeting Thursday (1/31).
The city is addressing concerns about keeping any new apartments in line with a certain community identity. Before that happens though, they need to make sure the city has room for growth.
As she mixes and molds the meatloaf dinner, Joyce Cantrell gazes out her back window.
"What I've noticed is how empty it is," Cantrell said. "When we moved here the promise was for them to put up stuff."
She wasn't necessarily excited about the apartment buildings being proposed in her Bryant neighborhood but overall community growth did excite her. All construction though came to a halt.
When the current Mayor, Jill Dabbs, came in she placed a moratorium on building apartments. She hoped it would slow Bryant's boom in population and prevent the town and schools from over-crowding.
Cantrell shared, "I don't know if we've got any more room left."
While it did stop most apartment construction, the hold sat for two years without any change.
So the city, after two months of council discussions and public hearings will make a move.
Bryant City Attorney, Chris Madison explained, "We'll actually change rules or write rules affecting what we want apartments to look like going forward in the city of Bryant."
Those proposed rules would help keep infrastructure like traffic, sewage and water supply from being tapped. It will also keep the city from spilling over the top.
"In doing that, is kind of setting the ratio of apartments to houses," Madison added.
And like having the perfect mix in the meat loaf, the city should mold just right.
"It would make a lot of people feel better about it," Cantrell said.
The first reading of the proposed ordinance won't take place until February 11th. At least two public hearings will take place to allow the public to ask questions.
The city is addressing concerns about keeping any new apartments in line with a certain community identity. Before that happens though, they need to make sure the city has room for growth.
As she mixes and molds the meatloaf dinner, Joyce Cantrell gazes out her back window.
"What I've noticed is how empty it is," Cantrell said. "When we moved here the promise was for them to put up stuff."
She wasn't necessarily excited about the apartment buildings being proposed in her Bryant neighborhood but overall community growth did excite her. All construction though came to a halt.
When the current Mayor, Jill Dabbs, came in she placed a moratorium on building apartments. She hoped it would slow Bryant's boom in population and prevent the town and schools from over-crowding.
Cantrell shared, "I don't know if we've got any more room left."
While it did stop most apartment construction, the hold sat for two years without any change.
So the city, after two months of council discussions and public hearings will make a move.
Bryant City Attorney, Chris Madison explained, "We'll actually change rules or write rules affecting what we want apartments to look like going forward in the city of Bryant."
Those proposed rules would help keep infrastructure like traffic, sewage and water supply from being tapped. It will also keep the city from spilling over the top.
"In doing that, is kind of setting the ratio of apartments to houses," Madison added.
And like having the perfect mix in the meat loaf, the city should mold just right.
"It would make a lot of people feel better about it," Cantrell said.
The first reading of the proposed ordinance won't take place until February 11th. At least two public hearings will take place to allow the public to ask questions.
