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January 20, 2026 Update
Tonight’s meeting of the Maumelle City Council had a full quorum in attendance.
Adrian Kitchen addressed the Council about a common area behind his home that he has taken care of for many years and is asking the City to redraw the boundaries to
allow him to fence it in. He said he had been paying taxes on it, and a pair of neighbors have been erecting their own fences to claim sections of the area.
The mayor referred him to the City Attorney.
Mayor Norris gave the financial review. He said he had finished doing reviews for a new Director of Finance and would hopefully be making an announcement soon.
He then gave an unofficial, preliminary year-end review, reporting better numbers than had originally been anticipated. “The results aren’t great but not as bad as
we had anticipated.” We are in a strong position with the General Fund balance being $1.7M above the minimum required. The Sanitation Fund continues to improve.
Resolution 2025-45 Approves A Preliminary Development Plan that was previously tabled for a proposed new subdivision, Windwood HeightsAddition, Phase I.
Tommy Wright was the first person to address the Council about the Resolution. He has owned the land for nearly 40 years and is excited about selling it.
He also spoke about how the City needs more affordable housing, and he supports the changes being proposed by the City Staff.
David Nance spoke again about how he doesn’t like the idea of the property being developed, but acknowledged that accommodations had been made out of consideration of the
community’s concerns. He was also worried about losing parking in front of his house.
Director of Planning and Permits Scott Grummer then addressed the changes that had been made to the Plan since the previous Council meeting. One new proposal would be to
make the road through the subdivision into a one-way street.
I suggested putting a No Through Traffic Sign at both ends of the road, to discourage anyone from trying to make the neighborhood into a short cut. Both he and Developer
Eric Holloway seemed to indicate this would be doable. I also asked the Mayor about having a police car park at the No Entrance sign to discourage people taking short cuts.
Council Member Gardner asked about the striping to indicate that this is a one way street.
Developer Eric Holloway gave those details.
Member Holt talked about a guided tour that he was given of the area by Mister Grummer.
His question was the possibility of a hundred cars traversing a one-way street, and was curious if this might hamper City Fire and Police Services.
Holloway replied that the street would be wide enough to accommodate two way traffic.
Director Grummer added that even with the striping that the road could still be used as a two lane. If it was later determined that the residents would prefer the
road to be two way, then it would be a simple matter to remove the striping.
The resolution passed unanimously.
The Second Reading of Ordinance 1164 Amends Chapter 90 of the Maumelle City Code amending Chapter 90 (Vegetation) of the Maumelle City Code.
Deborah Conrad addressed the Council first about this. She is the developer, but is opposed to the Ordinance because she feels the ordinance does not go far enough to
give businesses visibility. She advocated a 25 foot setback as opposed to the proposed 50 foot. She felt the changes to not accomplish what is needed.
Kellie Walls from the Chamber also spoke about the concerns of businesses and their needs for visibility. She said the City has lost businesses because of visibility concerns,
and that Maumelle has a reputation of being hard to deal with. She advocated strengthening the tax base with new businesses.
Member Gardner said he was still trying to understand what was being proposed. He expressed concerns about 50 feet of commercial property being taken away from the properties
to be used as a screen.
Director Grummer spoke about how Section 90-84 detailing Road setback lines had not been consistently enforced in the past. He felt the new language would better address
future needs for variances in situations due to grading. He also spoke about how Maumelle has lost a lot of development to Little Rock because of our existing code.
Member Gardner expressed a concern for future lawsuits because the rules are being changed that will affect property owners along the Boulevard, for which this ordinance is
specifically being written.
Member Williams spoke about how difficult Maumelle has made it in the past for businesses to come into the City.
Member Holt also spoke about the difficulties local businesses have had with City ordinances.
Mayor Norris mentioned how the goal of the ordinance was an attempt to establish a compromise between both sides. If we turn this ordinance down,
we would return to the old City ordinance.
Member Gronwald agreed with the Mayor and expressed the concern of fulfilling our responsibilities to both the City and residents.
She feels the City needs to prioritize encouraging businesses to come in.
I spoke about the importance of visibility to businesses, and spoke about my own experiences as a business and Commercial property owner, and how draconian rewrites of
zoning laws by North Little Rock chased me out of the City after doing business and owning commercial property there for 40 years.
Member Gardner asked Director Grummer about what the City can do to make sure that any new commercial development is operating on an equal playing field.
Director Grummer said he would recommend striking Section 90-84 and let the landscaping design handle things.
Mayor Norris agreed with removing Section 90-84 just for commercial zoning. Industrial and residential would not be changed.
Member Shinn talking about how we would need to do a lot of changes to compete with NLR. He spoke about how the recent building of Hampton Inn a dozen years or so ago took
twice as long than it would have cost to build across the street in NLR.
Member Holt suggested withdrawing a citation issued for violating 90-84. City Attorney Thornton said that abating the prosecution would have to come from the City Council.
Mayor Norris said that notice was given not to clear that buffer, but it was cleared anyway.
Member Gronwald talked about going ahead and passing the ordinance and make adjustments in the future.
Mayor Norris said that removing 90-84 would take the ordinance back to the first reading.
The passing of this ordinance allows the process of the development to continue, and restrictions could be removed in the future.
Member Williams expressed her support of the removal of 90-84.
Member Gardner suggested going to third reading, and if it passed immediately start the process of rewriting 90-84.
Attorney Thornton suggested that we would not have to go through the planning commission. A new ordinance could be drafted and presented at the next meeting.
There was a pause when the YouTube video of the meeting crashed.
This was followed with a discussion about how best to alter the language of 90-84.
It was determined to allow the ordinance to go to a third reading at the next meeting while immediately starting work on a new rewrite.
This would allow the business developer to proceed with their work.
The Second Reading of Ordinance 1165 Amends Section 94-448 of Maumelle City Code (Conditional Uses in Planned Commercial Districts). There was no discussion.
The Second Reading of Ordinance 1166 Amends City Code regarding Grading and Clearing Activities. There was no discussion.
The Second Reading of Ordinance 1167 Amends Zoning to amend the City’s Zoning Map for 47.948, at Zajac Road. There was no discussion.
The Second Reading of Ordinance 1168 Amends Master Street Plan at CCA Phase 15 Curb Cut. There was no discussion.
The Second Reading of Ordinance 1169 Amending Master Street Plan at CCA Phase 15 Collector. There was no discussion. Yeah… we were all talked out,
and the gallery seemed very relieved that we were.
Planning Commission Appointments Mason Gates and David Nance were asked to address the Council. Mason Gates introduced himself first. Then David Nance,
who had spoken earlier, addressed the Council once more.
Resolution 2026-04 Amending Grant & General Fund Budget to re-appropriate grant funding that was unanimously approved.
This involved the movement of monies into their proper accounts.
I complimented the Mayor and his staff on their good work getting so many Grants approved.
The Mayor responded that they are working on three more.
January 5, 2026 Update
Tonight’s first meeting of the year for the Maumelle City Council had a full quorum.
Today was Public Works Director Mike Hogan’s final day, so the scheduled public works department did not happen. Mayor Norris discussed the search for his replacement.
He has appointed James Johnson as the interim director for a 90 trial period.
Director James Johnson was formerly the Maintenance supervisor, and he addressed the Council.
The Financial Report that was postponed from previous meeting. We have received a dozen or so applications for the open Director position and interviews are being scheduled.
So we were given the computer numbers of the Financial Report for November 2025 by Mayor Norris. Revenues were down in 2025 due to the fact that the City did not have
the significant insurance reimbursement from Ice Storm damage like we did in 2024. The Sanitation Fund is starting to improve, thanks to the recent changes in the fees charged.
Planning Commission Report by Council Member Booker. Since most items were on tonight’s agenda, he did short summaries of them. Other agenda items were withdrawn by the applicants.
Council Meeting Protocol was reviewed, which is required by State Law during the first Council meeting every year.
Resolution 2025-45 that was previously referred back to the Planning Commission for changes to be made, and scheduled to be returned to the Council during this meeting,
was not ready and will be delayed further to give City Staff more time to work on solutions.
The First Reading of Ordinance 1164 amending Chapter 90, dealing with Vegetation, of the Maumelle City Code. This will affirm a setback of 50 feet along boulevard commercial sites,
and old growth retention requirements. Residential along the boulevard is a 25 feet setback with a requirement to retain 6 inch trees and larger—but there is no undeveloped
residential land left along Maumelle Boulevard in the City limits.
The First Reading of Ordinance 1165 amends section 94-448 dealing with Conditional Uses in Planned Commercial Districts of the Maumelle City Code. Director Grummer announced
that Jason Lyons has taken Planning Director position in Benton, so he will be leaving Maumelle soon. Mister Lyons said this deals with language about retirement homes in a PCD zoning.
The First Reading of Ordinance 1166 amends the Maumelle City Code regarding Grading and Clearing Activities. This requires plans to be filed with the City before any clearing is done.
Mayor Norris complimented Director Grummer for his efforts to update obsolete or inaccurate code that no longer work as intended.
The First Reading of Ordinance 1167 amends the City’s Zoning Map for 47.948, at Zajac Road. The land use would stay the same as it is for a single family,
but the zoning would be switched to the new Agricultural Zoning.
The First Reading of Ordinance 1168 amends the City’s Master Street Plan at CCA Phase 15 Curb Cut. This would move the curb cut for the new proposed collector road to be opposite
the existing median cut at Riverland.
The First Reading of Ordinance 1169 amends the City’s Master Street Plan at CCA Phase 15 Collector. This deals with the road connected to the curb cut in Ordinance 1168.
Previously it was proposed that this road would connect with Paul Eels road. That is no longer the case, and no connection with North Little Rock roads are planned at this time.
Planning for the route of the new road into Maumelle can be worked out later. If approved then ARdot (Highway department) would also need to approve the curb cut.
Right now there are two businesses interested in locating in the area that would require a curb cut to open access to the property. The curb cut is the first domino that
needs to fall in order to begin to develop the property.
Council member Gardner expressed his opinion that connecting Paul Eels to Riverland is something that needs to happen in the future, to support new businesses in the area.
Resolution 2026-01 expresses a willingness to utilize Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Funds for Multi-Use Trail Construction. The City has been very active and successful in
qualifying the City for grants. This one is a 100% grant with no monies required from the City.
Resolution 2026-02 expresses a willingness to utilize Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Funds to Purchase and Plant Trees. This is part of the same grant as Resolution 2026-01.
This is an application to increase the number of trees along the highway.
Resolution 2026-03 expresses a willingness to utilize Federal-Aid Transportation Grant Funds. This is an application for an 80/20 grant to connect the City’s trails and connectivity
to the Community Center and schools.
Mayor Norris recommends that everyone check out the bond webpage dealing with the vote to be taken in March. Go to:
maumellebond.com
Member Shinn discussed electric vehicles on the Lake Willastein trails. He has had more complaints from citizens being bullied by youth. A police report was filed about their habit
of blocking one bridge from being crossed. A resident in another location said they are getting water and sewer pipes being installed along county land next to their property.
Shinn then asked about food trucks signing up to be vendors at the upcoming Millwood park. Mayor Norris said the ribbon cutting is planned for March.
Member Gronwald suggested all council members meet at the bridge tomorrow to confront the hooligan bullies.
City Clerk Tina Timmons announced that applications are open for two positions on the Planning Commission. Drop off your applications with her office by the 14th.
Here is a link to all my notes pertaining to Maumelle's City Council during 2025.
Maumelle City Council
2025
Maumelle City Council 2022 notes.
Here is a link to all my notes pertaining to Maumelle's City Council during 2022.
Maumelle City Council 2021 Notes.
Here is a link to all my notes pertaining to Maumelle's City Council during 2021.
Maumelle City Council 2020 Notes
Here is a link to all my notes pertaining to Maumelle's City Council during 2020.
2025
Here is a link to all my notes pertaining to Maumelle's City Council during 2024.
Maumelle City Council
2024
Maumelle City Council2023 Notes:
Here is a link to all my notes pertaining to Maumelle's City Council during 2023.
2024
Maumelle City Council2023 Notes:
Here is a link to all my notes pertaining to Maumelle's City Council during 2023.
Maumelle City Council 2022 notes.
Here is a link to all my notes pertaining to Maumelle's City Council during 2022.
Maumelle City Council 2021 Notes.
Here is a link to all my notes pertaining to Maumelle's City Council during 2021.
Maumelle City Council 2020 Notes
Here is a link to all my notes pertaining to Maumelle's City Council during 2020.
2019 City Council Notes:
Here is a link to all my notes pertaining to Maumelle's City Council during 2019.Here is a link to my 2018 Campaign page.
photo by Shannon Odom
MAUMELLE Wards MAP
MAUMELLE WARD MAP
Click on the map below to find your voting ward:
The State of Arkansas has it's own long-range planning, called Long Range Intermodal Transportation Plan (LRITP), with a vision that reaches to 2040. You can access the public record of this plan on the following link:
http://www.arkansashighways.com/Trans_Plan_PolicyARDOT_LRITP_ExecSummary_Final.pdf
Here is Maumelle's current long-range plan.
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