Central Arkansas Water supports Lake Maumelle Watershed plan

Monday night, the Central Arkansas Water Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to support zoning regulations for the Lake Maumelle Watershed. It is a plan many property owners oppose.

Even with some changes made to the plan late Friday, property owners still aren't satisfied. Monday, they packed the CAW building in downtown Little Rock to express concerns that the proposed zoning rules will restrict their rights.

"What this is going to do to us and the people that live in this land area is terrible," said one property owner.

"I would beg you not to pass this. That's the best I can do is beg you not to pass this," said another.

That pleading, however, was not enough to stop CAW from throwing unanimous support behind the zoning regulations that Pulaski County Planning Board is expected to vote on this Tuesday. The CAW Board did throw in that it recommends the county keep a close eye on any development done on the watershed to make sure it does not negatively impact the quality of drinking water coming from Lake Maumelle.

Lorie White lives on watershed land and is not satisfied with the changes.

"It says you can have a home occupation, but it tells you you can't have parking, you can't generate traffic, you can't have a sign, you can't emit odors, so how do you have a bakery? How do you have a dog grooming? How do you have a nursery?" White asked.

At least one CAW board member told FOX16 today that he shares some of White's concerns.

"I just basically felt things that they revised Friday, to take some of those things, putting a fence up and things of that nature, you take that out, that really helped me to feel a little better about the whole package," said Jay Hartman who sits on the CAW Board.

But, several property owners, like White, have already hired attorneys.

"If this goes through as is, I'm going to tell you, the groups I work for, we're going to fight to defeat it, and it will be a lose-lose for everyone," says attorney Kent Walker.

The Pulaski County Planning Board meets Tuesday at three. It's expected to vote on the zoning plan, and if approved the plan will go to the Pulaski County Quorum Court for a vote. The Quorum Court has the final say.