Commission denies rezoning sought for townhome plan

LOWELL — The rezoning of Tuscany Vines, a proposed large development of townhomes on Old Wire Road, was narrowly denied Monday by the Planning Commission.

Many residents turned out to express their opposition to the project. Only six commissioners were present; three voted for and three voted against.

Lowell attorney Tom Kieklak said four votes were necessary to recommend rezoning the land northeast of McClure Avenue from single family residential to medium-density residential with some high-density residential.

The project is likely to come up again at a City Council meeting, Kieklak said.

Residents near the proposed project will not be notified by mail when Tuscany Vines will go before the City Council like they were before the Planning Commission meeting, Economic Director Kris Sullivan said. She urged residents to watch notifications of future City Council meetings in case they would like to attend.

Plans for Tuscany Vines projected 99 units of brick, multifamily townhomes with two-car driveways and two-car garages on a total of 14.75 acres, according to documents released prior to the meeting. Plans were not to exceed eight units per acre, and it would have two access points and three public roads. The project’s staff did not expect the project to significantly increase traffic since Arkansas 265 is under construction to be widened.

Traffic was one of many overwhelming concerns of the residents who attended the meeting.

“I’m concerned about the [lack of] privacy, the view, noise, pollution, traffic, influx for our school and the property values of homes near these apartments,” said resident Bill Cichi during a

public hearing. “I don’t know anyone who wants to buy a home near an apartment complex.”

“There’s nothing positive about this,” said resident Roy Brunson. “There’s nothing like this on this side of town and that’s for a reason. There’s no way schools can accommodate it.”

“We moved here to escape the busyness of the city and for the beautiful scenery,” said resident Bethany Rosenbaum. “I’m concerned about the traffic. People already run into our mailbox all the time.”

Rosenbaum said developments like Tuscany Vines will discourage families like hers from sticking around in Lowell.

“The crime rate will go up and the traffic will triple,” said resident Danny Wilhite. “It already gets backed up to Honeysuckle.”

Several residents said what the city needs more than apartment complexes are more single family homes to attract long-term residents and grow the city.

Jason Appel, project engineer for Tuscany Vines, said the improvements to Arkansas 265 will help traffic flow easily from south Fayetteville to Rogers. He also emphasized that the high-density zone is a twoacre portion surrounded by a large ring of medium-density zone.

That design would keep the highest- density townhomes away from current residents, he said.

“This town’s going to get developed one way or another,” said James Milner, commission chairman. “We always hear ‘Development’s fine as long as it’s not around me.’ That makes it a challenge for this commission.”