Springdale City Council closer to annexing land

SPRINGDALE — City Council members moved one step closer Tuesday night to annexing 24 acres into the city. The council approved pursuing five “islands” of land north of the intersection of West Miller Road and Arkansas 112 in the northwest quadrant of the city. Each parcel is surrounded by land considered in Springdale.

“We can help these people by lowering their home owners’ insurance thanks to Springdale’s Class 1 fire rating,” said council member Jim Reed, who represents the district. “And their water and trash bills should also lower once they are served by the city’s contract.”

Crews currently are working to erect a billboard on a parcel that sits at the intersection of Miller Road and U.S. 112. Reed said he has heard from residents nearby who are concerned this will detract from their property values — although he has not heard any comments about the possible annexation.

“We’re just stuck with it,” Reed said of the billboard. “We don’t want other things to go on on that land that the city wouldn’t allow. We just want some say.”

State law provides, that if a piece of land is completely surrounded by a city, it can be annexed by city ordinance, explained City Attorney Ernest Cate. The thinking is that these pieces become part of the city with the “natural growth” of the city, he said.

Residents will get to voice their opinions about the move during a public meeting during the City Council meeting Nov. 13. Owners of the affected parcels will be notified by registered letter this week, as state law requires, Cate said.

In 2009, the city annexed about 100 similar islands with the same intention, explained Mayor Doug Sprouse. “It’s just easier for us to provide them services than it is for the county.”

In other business, the council approved the sale of city properties at 107 Spring St., 128 Spring St., 130 Spring St. and 132 Spring St. to Recasting LLC. The four buildings together appraised for $860,000 and will be sold for a total of $1 million, Sprouse reported.

Recasting will then lease the properties on Spring Street back to the city for no cost for up to three years. Sprouse explained these offices will house city employees as they relocate during various phases of building the municipal campus.

Council members also asked that the current public bathrooms built by the city be retained or replaced with equal quality and quantity, and the lease agreement reflects that, Sprouse said.

Recasting is registered in Delaware, according to records on the Delaware Secretary of State’s website. Recasting shares an agent with Ropeswing Hospitality Group and Springdale Downtown, both of which are backed by the Walton family. The state is the registration location for a majority of Fortune 500 companies and other businesses drawn by relaxed incorporation regulations there, according to the Los Angeles Times.