NLR to form public land development task force

Monday night, North Little Rock City Council approved forming a task force responsible for issuing a report on public land development.

The task force will report on what land could possibly be developed through an indepth study.

The mayor said he would veto any sale of public land before the study is complete. He also added, he would make sure he would get six no votes from city council on any proposal to buy public land before the task force issues its study.

Last month’s failed attempt to turn an old quarry owned by North Little Rock into townhomes caused Mayor Pat Hays to suggest forming the city-wide task force on public land development. People who did not want the park developed led a successful effort to stop the City from selling the land far below its value.

Monday, City Council expanded the task force from seven to 13 members.

“If you want to ensure that one of the mayor’s two appointments will be from the business community, that’s fine with me,” said Mayor Pat Hays.

Also Monday, one council member wanted to make sure no development would happen until the task force issues its final report. While that would be legal, that's when Hays said he would veto any move to develop land before the report comes out.

 “I would tell you, it would be foolish, foolhardy and certainly take six votes before we’re going to go anywhere,” said Hays.

The task force could get to work in as little as two weeks.