An ordinance that would add an impact fee of $125 and an application fee of $125 to certain building permits in the city of Morrilton failed to pass on its second reading Monday night during the regular monthly meeting of the Morrilton City Council. The fees would have only applied to accessory dwelling units, or self-contained and independently accessed living units on the same parcel as an existing single-family dwelling. The Council passed the first reading of the ordinance last month, but Council Member Richard DeLuca explained there was some concern from the public that the fees would create an unnecessary hindrance to growth in the city…
“If we’re trying to grow this town, putting unnecessary fees on it seems to make no sense, so I was just going to ask everyone here to vote no on it,” DeLuca said. “Of course, vote your conscience, but we already do charge an ordinary permit on these things, and I think this is one of the reasons why it’s good to do three readings on these. I think, in my opinion, the point’s been made that this could be a hindrance to growing the town so there’s no reason to proceed with it…”
The second reading failed on a 6-1 vote with Council Member Greg Wiedower casting the lone affirmative vote…
Among other matters from Monday’s meeting, Council Members approved the first reading of an ordinance granting a private club permit for The Laidback Lounge on North St. Joseph Street, gave approval to the mayor’s appointment of Chris Magie to the Airport Commission replacing Tim Hill, passed an amendment resolution to close out the 2025 budget, passed a resolution to affix a lien of $4,290 against property owned by Wanda Alvey at 607 East Broadway that the city cleaned following a fire, and passed a resolution condemning property located at 600 South Cherokee Street…