Commission OKs community plan, sends to council

BENTONVILLE — The Planning Commission approved to send the final rendition of the Bentonville Community Plan to the City Council for approval next week.

The commission unanimously approved to recommend the plan at its meeting Tuesday after having tabled it at its Oct. 2 meeting.

A public hearing was held at both meetings. There were a couple residents who wanted more information about certain properties at the Oct. 2 meeting.

The city developed an online map where a slider showed the current Land Use Map on one side and the proposed changes on the right side. Tabling the plan Oct. 2 allowed more time for the public to review the information, officials said.

“Because we tabled it, I felt it would be good to open up a public hearing again and receive any additional feedback,” Shelli Kerr, interim community and economic development director, said in Tuesday’s meeting.

No one spoke during Tuesday’s public hearing, and commissioners had little conversation before voting to recommend plan approval to council.

Houseal Lavigne Associates, a Chicago-based planning, urban design and economic development firm, has been working on the plan for three years. The plan is designed to guide city growth for the next 15 to 20 years.

The 190-page plan establishes policies related to land use and development, transportation and mobility, community facilities, open spaces, environmental features, and image and identity.

The plan also includes smaller plans for five subareas — downtown, downtown neighborhoods, Eighth Street, 14th Street and Southwest Regional Airport Boulevard/ Southwest I Street.

“It should help staff, elected, appointed officials, developers, residents make better decisions because they can use it as a reference document to evaluate proposals, prioritize capital improvements, consider zoning changes,” John Houseal, the firms principal, said in August.

When the City Council adopts the plan, it will be done through resolution, not ordinance, Mayor Bob McCaslin said in August. A resolution expresses “good faith intent.”

Commissioners also approved rezoning 9801 Gaston Road from agricultural to residential estate.

The land owners, Derek and Shellie Brown, are wanting to split the property into three lots and develop single-family homes on each lot, according to meeting documents.

Commissioners also approved a property line adjustment at 500 N.E. Saddle Ridge Road, development plans for Valvoline at Southwest 14th Street and South Walton Boulevard and to rezone 206 S.E. B St. from single family residential to downtown edge