Dogwood Junction moving to U.S. 412 East

SILOAM SPRINGS — Dogwood Junction Bicycle Shop plans to move from its location in Signature Plaza in early October to a property on U.S. 412 East and is seeking approval on a rezoning permit for their new location.

The Planning Commission met Tuesday to hear a rezoning request for 4650 U.S. 412 E. where Dogwood Junction plans to move. The property is zoned industrial and the rezoning will change it to roadway commercial, according to Senior Planner Ben Rhoads.

The permit was approved and will go before the city board on Aug 4.

Ben Jones, owner of Dogwood Junction, said neither he nor Lynch Butler, owner of the property, were aware the land was zoned industrial, especially since the last tenant was a DaySpring retail card store. Jones is also asking the commission to expedite the process because another business has rented his space at 200 N. Progress Ave.

“It’s kind of an imperative to get this done so we can transition smoothly,” Jones said.

Moving his business was an opportunity for Jones to not only expand his business but also eventually own his own property.

“I always wanted to own my own building so this is an opportunity to do that,” Jones said.

The space will be subdivided into three leases, Jones said. With other tenants, it will give Jones a reduction in rent. Since Dogwood Junction is renting to buy, Jones estimates he will own the property in 14 years, he said.

Jones said he has found one tenant already: Elite Cheer Company, presently at 1710 S. Pointe St., off of Arkansas 59. The company has outgrown its space and needed more, Jones said. The new location will give Elite Cheer a 7,500-square-foot space and more room for Jones, he said.

Jones didn’t indicate whether he planned on a second tenant for the other lease.

Other business discussed during the meeting was a preliminary plat development for the 2000 to 2500 block of East Kenwood Street. The request is to subdivide 59 acres into 167 family lots, Rhoads said.

Barb Maples voiced concerns over the drainage on East Quarter Road and on Arkansas 16, which are both near the subdivision. Maples said her property doesn’t have good drainage and was concerned the terrain change would cause more drainage issues. She also asked if the homes were going to be Housing and Urban Development homes and if the homes were going to be price on application.

City Engineer Justin Bland said both East Quarter

Road and Arkansas 16 are state highways and the city doesn’t have authority to fix the drainage, however Bland said he could help Maples coordinate with Arkansas Department of Transportation in order to fix the problem.

Taylor Lindley of CEI Engineering addressed thethe drainage issues. “Nothing east of Highway 16 from our analysis comes on to our sites,” Lindley said. “We won’t actually be affecting or addressing anything east of Highway 16.”

Lindley added everything they work on is to the northwest and west of the property. Lindley also said the homes will be price on application until they get enough sold and then they will revert to the occupants ownership.

The preliminary plat development permit was approved and will go before the city board on Aug. 4.

Marc Hayot may be reached by email at mhayot@nwadg.com.