Boards & Commissions

Overview

The Planning and Development Department provides the primary staff for the Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, City Beautiful Commission, Historic District Commission, and River Market Design Review Committee.

Planning Commission

The Little Rock Planning Commission was created by Little Rock City Code Section 23-26,27.  The Little Rock Planning Commission meets the second Thursday of each month, with a filing deadline generally two months prior to the hearing date.  The duties of the Commission are to promote public interest and understanding of long-range, coordinated municipal planning; to review proposed subdivisions; and to make zoning recommendations to the Board of Directors.  The Planning Director functions as the secretary for the Commission and develops the minute record for the Commission.  The Commission reviews Planned Zone Developments (PZD) and Subdivision, Zoning cases, Conditional Use and Special Use Permits as well as Plan changes.   

The calendar for the Commission is set at the beginning of each year.  The calendar establishes the filing deadlines, committee meetings and Public hearing dates for the year.  The Commission's meeting agenda are posted on this site.  The Commission hearings are broadcast on Cable Channel 11.

All applications to the Planning Commission must be filed at our offices, 723 West Markham Street, by the filing deadline established on the Commission's calendar. 

Board of Adjustment

The Little Rock Board of Adjustment was created by Little Rock Code of Ordinances, Section 36-66 et seq.  The Board of Adjustment meets once a month (typically the third Thursday of each month).  The duties of the Board are to consider requests for variances from the requirements set forth in the City's Zoning Ordinance and to consider appeals of administrative decisions relating to the Zoning Ordinance. The Board of Adjustment sets their calendar at the beginning of the year.  This establishes the filing deadlines and public hearing dates for the year.  The Board's agenda is available one (1)-week prior to the meeting.

Applications for variances must be completed and returned to our offices, 723 West Markham Street, by the filing deadline established by the Board of Adjustment on their calendar.  For additional information contact Bradley Jordan (501) 371-6817.

City Beautiful Commission

In October 1976, the City Beautiful Commission was created by Little Rock Code 15-26,27.  The goal of the Commission is to 'raise the level of community expectation for the quality of its environment'.  The City Beautiful Commission meets once a month.  The Commission reviews requests for variances from sections of the Landscape Ordinance.  The Commission's 'charge' is to also promote public interest in the general improvement of the appearance of the City; provide environmental policy direction and guidance to the Board of Directors; and establish subject to the Board of Directors approval, regulations of aesthetic quality for public and private lands and improvements.  

The City Beautiful Commission adopts an annual calendar with filing deadlines and meeting dates for that year.  Applications for a Landscape Variance must be completed and returned to our offices, 723 West Markham Street, by the filing deadline established by the City Beautiful Commission on their calendar.  For those filing variances with the City Beautiful Commission are generally related to:  the Buffer Ordinance (1/2006); Landscape Ordinance (1/2009); and Parking Ordinance (1/2006). For additional information contact Bradley Jordan (501) 371-6817.

Historic District Commission