Panel OKs plat for Bentonville subdivision
BENTONVILLE — The Bentonville Planning Commission unanimously gave the green light for a planned residential development on the southwest end of town to move forward with conditions.
The commission voted 6-0 on Tuesday to approve a preliminary plat for a proposed single-family subdivision along South Morning Star and Gaston roads as part of its consent agenda. It also approved a requested waiver for the development, dubbed the Morning Star subdivision.
The subdivision is set to be located on just over 40 acres zoned for low-density single-family residential use, according to a city staff report provided in the meeting packet. The subdivision is planned to consist of 146 lots — two of which are unbuildable drainage lots — to be developed across two phases. There will be two access points on both South Morning Star and Gaston roads.
“Vehicle traffic will likely increase to both existing roads as this property develops from a greenfield to single-family,” the report states. “There is a lack of pedestrian, bicycle and transit infrastructure in this area, so nearly all trips will likely be by personal vehicle.”
The Planning Commission approved the preliminary plat with the condition a property owners association for the subdivision be required to maintain an area of wetlands located within the development.
Blake Murray, civil project manager with the Crafton Tull engineering, design and surveying firm, said during the Planning Commission’s tech review meeting Tuesday the land in question is part of a lot that’s not included in the subdivision itself.
Tyler Overstreet, Bentonville’s planning and community development director, said city planning and engineering staff recommended the condition to the commission.
He said wetlands are environmentally sensitive areas protected by the federal government, so it’s important the city makes sure someone is obligated to maintain them.
Conlee Hale with Crafton Tull asked the city to allow the flowline of a planned upstream storm pipe be aligned with a larger downstream pipe in a letter dated March 1.
This required a waiver from a section of the Bentonville Drainage Manual stipulating storm pipes have to “match the soffits or crown” at changes in pipe size, as opposed to the flowline.
Hale argued the adjustment is necessary because of “limited onsite topographic relief.” Murray said he expects construction for the project will begin in late April or early May.