County reviews business plans

BENTONVILLE — Benton County’s planning staff got a second look Wednesday at a proposed outdoor wedding venue in the Arrowhead Lodge area near Beaver Lake.

The Development Review Committee discussed the requirements of planning and development regulations covering special events facilities, which would include the wedding venue. No formal county action on the proposal was scheduled.

Records show the proposal was brought to the committee in May 2015, but Paula Difani, one of the applicants, said the hope was to get the business started with a scaled-down plan.

“We decided to start out somewhat simpler, rather than start out with a chapel,” she said.

The revised concept was for a 70- foot- by- 40foot concrete slab used for events without having a permanent, enclosed structure, Difani said. The plans call for using portable columns to create the effect of

an outdoor arbor for weddings, she said. Difani estimated the venue capacity at 150 to 200 people. There would be a gravel parking lot and electricity for lighting, but no other amenities.

“It’s just to get the business up and going,” she said.

The panel told Difani she still would need to go through the site review process and submit plans to the county.

John Sudduth, general services administrator, said the venue, even though it provided a bare-boned facility, would need to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act and with parking requirements based on the capacity of the venue. Also, the staff pointed out the location would require Difani to have an engineer develop a storm water management plan to make sure site work didn’t create any runoff that might reach the lake.

Marc Trollinger, fire marshal, also told Difani fire inspections would be required if any event called for the use of a tent larger than about 200 square feet. Large tents require inspections to ensure they are set up properly and have fire extinguishers available, Trollinger said.

“Every time there’s a tent we have to do a fire inspection,” Trollinger said.

The committee also looked at initial plans for an 18- lot subdivision at 20591 Shady Grove Road near Siloam Springs, and a new warehouse for Tufco Flooring on Arkotex Road near Gentry. The panel reviewed the planning requirements for both proposals, but took no action.

Marc Trollinger, fire marshal, also told Difani fire inspections would be required if any event called for the use of a tent larger than about 200 square feet.