Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Planners Rezone Land For Multi-Family Use
CHANGE MUST BE APPROVED BY FARMINGTON CITY COUNCIL
FARMINGTON — Despite opposition from neighbors, Farmington Planning Commission unanimously voted last week to rezone an acre lot behind Collier Drug Store from commercial to multi-family housing.
The Commission’s recommendation will go before Farmington City Council on April 10.
Brad Smith requested a multi-family zoning designation because he said he plans to build two multi- family dwellings on the land. The property faces Old Farmington Road. Older houses
are across the street and adjacent to the vacant land.
Smith handed out a conceptual drawing that showed each building would have four units, three would be two- story units and one all on one level. Each unit would have a one-car garage.
Smith said the multi-fami ly development he proposes is similar to one he built in Prairie Grove behind Harps Food Store.
“I think there is a great need for apartments in Farmington,” Smith said, adding that the buildings would have brick, be “very nice” and would add value to the neighborhood.
Four property owners along Old Farmington Road addressed commissioners, saying they thought a multi-family development would hurt their property values.
Vernon Combs said he would not be opposed to a commercial building or to single-family residences on the land but felt the units would decrease property value, “contrary to what the gentleman stated.”
Combs pointed to other multi- family units in the area, noting those buildings are not maintained and taken care of.
Linda Guthrie said she has lived in her house across the street from the vacant property for 34 years and was “very much opposed” to the rezoning request.
She said people who live in the neighborhood know each other and look after each other. A multi-family development would have different people living in it over time.
“I would like to keep it a family neighborhood,” Guthrie said.
Another neighbor, Cy Guthrie, said he believes his property value has gone down since other multi-family units were built nearby and the area has problems with people speeding.
“You are wanting to put eight families there where normally it would be two families for a single family,” Guthrie said.
After neighbors spoke, Smith returned to the podium and said he unders tood the neighbors ’ concerns.
He described the units as “townhouses,” as opposed to apartments, saying the units would be upscale and nicer than what people think of when someone talks about apartments. Rent would range from $1,100 to $1,200 a month, he said.
“I think the development of Farmington is tricky,” Smith said. “That is a viable piece of property that will be developed.”
If used as property for single family residences, Smith said the land could cost $40,000 per lot which would in turn increase the cost of a house.
Mann said commissioners have to look at how a rezoning request would fit the area. He noted that the land is adjacent to single family houses and commercial development.
City Business Manager Melissa McCarville added that a multi-family zoning designation could be used as a buffer going from commercial to residential.