Arkansas Administrative Code Agency 034 - Capitol Zoning District Commission
Here’s a clear breakdown of Arkansas Administrative Code Agency 034 (the Capitol Zoning District Commission, CZDC) as codified and regulated:
📄 Authority & Statutory Basis
Created by Act 267 of 1975 (expanded by Act 917 of 1979), the CZDC oversees zoning and preservation within two defined areas of Little Rock: the Capitol Area and the Governor’s Mansion Area (regulations.vlex.com).
A statutory commission is established within Arkansas Heritage via Arkansas Code § 22‑3‑303, ensuring oversight of exterior modifications, land use, and new construction within the district (law.justia.com).
🏛 Composition & Administration
Arkansas Code § 22‑3‑303 establishes a nine-member commission:
Governor (or designee; serves as chair)
Secretary of State (or designee)
Four at-large resident electors appointed by the Governor (three-year terms; one must be Black)
Director of Little Rock’s city planning staff (or designee)
A resident-elector property owner in the Governor’s Mansion area (three-year term)
A resident-elector property owner in the State Capitol area (three-year term) (law.justia.com, legalfix.com)
Additional provisions:
The Commission Director acts as disbursing officer (law.justia.com).
Members are unpaid, but may receive expenses or stipends (law.justia.com).
Within legislative appropriations and with consultation from the Secretary of Parks, Heritage & Tourism, the Commission may employ staff including the Director (law.justia.com).
Bylaws (Rule 034.00.99) outline officer roles (chairman, vice-chair, treasurer), membership terms, vacancies, and organizational structure (regulations.vlex.com).
📋 Regulations & Procedures (Administrative Rules)
1. Master Plan & General Standards
Rule 034.00.77 defines the legal authority, master plan purpose, development coordination, and district boundaries (regulations.vlex.com).
Rule 034.00.13‑001 details zoning standards for setbacks, floor-area ratio (FAR), height limits, permitted uses, and conditional uses within Mansion-area zones (“M”, “N”, “O”) (regulations.justia.com).
2. Permits & Applications
Rule 034.00.12‑001 outlines:
Permit application procedures with the Commission's Director,
One-year reapplication prohibition after denial,
Permits required additional to Little Rock City permits (building, sign, demolition, occupancy, compliance, privileges),
Exemptions for routine maintenance like painting or lawn care (regulations.justia.com).
🏛 Role & Impact
The CZDC serves as both zoning authority and historic preservation commission, preserving over 1,400 historic properties around the Capitol and Mansion (arkansasheritage.com).
It collaborates with neighborhood advisory committees and design professionals to guide permit actions, with staff typically handling minor approvals and the Commission reviewing major changes (encyclopediaofarkansas.net).
✅ Summary
Arkansas Agency 034 (CZDC) is a statutory historic-preservation and zoning commission, with authority grounded in Title 22 and Acts of the legislature. It sets and enforces development standards through administrative rules, a structured permit process, and focused oversight of exterior changes within the Capitol and Mansion District zones.
For the full text of administrative rules (general standards, master plan, bylaws), consult the Arkansas Gazette registers or the Arkansas Secretary of State's regulations website.
To apply for a permit or view application forms, visit the CZDC office at 1100 North Street, Little Rock, or contact their office (phone/email available online) (arkansasheritage.com).
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