our Petition

Summary:

We, the undersigned residents of Little Rock, demand an immediate halt to all construction at 29th & Zion St until the City provides full transparency—releasing all environmental studies, permits, and federal correspondence—and agrees to a community-controlled meeting (time/location set by residents, with pre-approved agendas and speakers). The City must admit its failure to consult the public before destroying this ecologically critical forest, suspend all legal approvals, and prove compliance with flood, traffic, and safety regulations. No work shall proceed until these conditions are met, and the issue is formally added to the City Council agenda for a fair vote. Our safety, environment, and right to self-determination are non-negotiable.

PETITION TO STOP CONSTRUCTION ON ZION ST PROJECT IN THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS

To: Little Rock City Council, Mayor Frank Scott Jr., and Little Rock Planning and Development, City of Little Rock Land Bank, Housing and Neighborhood Programs Community Development Division.

We, the undersigned residents of Little Rock and concerned citizens, formally demand an immediate moratorium on all construction permits, zoning approvals, and legal proceedings related to the proposed construction at Parcel 44L1340601100 (29th & Zion St) until the City of Little Rock complies with the following non-negotiable requirements:

  1. Full Transparency & Immediate Disclosure of Project Records

    1. Public release of all permits, environmental assessments (including Phase I ESA), stormwater studies, FEMA flood certifications, and project plans—without redactions—as required by the Arkansas FOIA (§ 25-19-101).

    2. Complete disclosure of all communications between the City, developers, and federal agencies (EPA, FEMA, HUD), including:

      1. Federal funding applications/grant agreements.

      2. Environmental compliance correspondence (Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act).

      3. Hydrological and ecological impact reports justifying the destruction of this mature forest.

    3. No meeting will occur until these documents are provided and reviewed by the community. Failure to disclose will be deemed obstruction.

  2. A Legitimate, Community-Led Engagement Process

    1. Neighborhood Meeting Controlled by Residents

      1. The meeting must be convened at a time/location determined solely by a vote of petitioners and adjacent residents, with no influence from the City or developers. Petitioners will:

        1. Design the voting method (digital/phone survey).

        2. Set the timeline for selecting the date/location.

        3. Verify voter eligibility (limited to petition signatories and direct neighbors).

      2. Rationale: Past City-organized meetings (including those involving Ward 6 Director Andrea Lewis) were scheduled at inaccessible times, suppressed input, and ignored concerns. Only an independent, community-led process will restore trust.

    2. Mandatory Q&A Session with Pre-Approved Terms

      1. A full agenda and list of speakers (with affiliations/roles) must be shared 7 days in advance.

      2. Topics must include:

        1. Flood risks (hydrological study proving no downstream harm).

        2. Ecological destruction (Endangered Species Act compliance, mitigation plans).

        3. Traffic/safety impacts (routes for heavy machinery, noise/pollution controls).

  3. Accountability for Environmental & Legal Failures

    1. A public admission from the City that it:

      1. Failed to consult residents before deforestation, endangering Rock Creek’s watershed.

      2. Violated transparency laws (Arkansas Code §14-56-425) by approving the project without hearings.

    2. Suspend all legal actions: Rezoning approvals, permit issuances, and contracts must be frozen pending independent review with community oversight.

  4. Proof of Regulatory Compliance & Safeguards

    1. Environmental Protections

      1. Certified verification of compliance with:

        1. EPA air/water standards (daily particulate monitoring, runoff prevention).

        2. ADEQ and Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission protocols.

      2. City liability: Written guarantee that taxpayers will not bear costs for flood damage or EPA violations.

    2. Traffic & Safety

      1. Submit a Traffic Mitigation Plan detailing:

        1. Routes/hours for heavy vehicles to avoid pedestrians.

        2. Penalties for contractor violations.

      2. 24/7 safety protocols for vulnerable residents (children, elderly).

    3. Housing & Future Impacts

      1. Disclose tenant selection criteria, ownership structure (non-profit/for-profit), and affordability covenants.

      2. Provide appraisal reports proving no loss of property values for adjacent homeowners.

  5. Formal Inclusion in City Governance

    1. Add this issue to the official City Council agenda for a vote on halting the project until all demands are met.

    2. Guarantee equal speaking rights for petitioners in all proceedings, without time restrictions.

Final Demand: Halt All Construction Immediately

This forest was a stormwater buffer, wildlife habitat, and community legacy. Its destruction without consultation reflects systemic disregard for resident welfare. We will not accept performative meetings or delayed disclosures.

We demand:

  1. Full transparency before any dialogue.

  2. Community-controlled engagement.

  3. Legal accountability for prior violations.

  4. Verified safeguards for health, safety, and ecology.

  5. No work shall proceed until these conditions are met.