Commissioners OK rezoning despite concerns

BENTONVILLE — A rezoning that would allow for a multifamily development to be built on a nearly one-acre parcel in northwest downtown will only exacerbate the drainage issues in the area, nearby residents told planning commissioners Tuesday.

Four residents expressed opposition to the rezoning of a .91- acre parcel at 410 Dickson Road and 507 N.W. Fifth St. to downtown medium density residential from single family residential and medium family residential.

Commissioners approved the request 5-0. Commissioners Rod Sanders and Tregg Brown were absent.

“All of that property drains onto ours,” said Virgil Dawson, property owner to the west of the rezoned land. He said his shop has been flooded three times recently as the aged culvert adjacent to his property is too small to handle the stormwater runoff that’s increased over the years as structures have been built.

“We didn’t have this problem until we started redevelopment

of Bentonville, per se,” he said.

Melvin Waters, pastor of the church to the east side of the property, said he was required to put a detention pond on the church grounds when the building was built 10 years ago. He’s seen it overflow over Northwest Fifth Street during heavy rain.

“It is a real problem,” he said.

Those who spoke in opposition said they were against multifamily units but would be fine with single family residences there.

There are some multiamily residential housing on the north side of Northwest Fifth Street and a mixture of single family residential homes and multifamily residential housing within a one block radius of the property.

There is a small apartment complex on the properties south end and a single family home on the north end. Both are in poor condition, according to Yessur Investments LLC, owner of the property and applicant for the rezoning.

“Our intention is to remove the existing buildings on this property and replace it with new Medium Density Townhomes that blend with the surrounding area, while adopting the new zoning classifications for the downtown and surrounding area,” the company explained in its application to rezone.

Development plans have not been submitted to the city yet, but the stormwater issue will be addressed with the Engineering Department when they are, said Jon Stanley, planner.

Commissioners also approved 4-0 to rezone 507 S.E. E St. where Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is going to transform the former Kraft Foods processing plant into Momentum, a space for visual and performing arts.

Commissioner Scott Eccleston abstained from voting as he is the director of operations at the museum.

There will be 100 parking spaces on site as Crystal Bridges is encouraging patrons to walk or bike to the facility, which is also near the Regional Razorback Greenway, according to meeting documents. Parking at nearby commercial properties will be available for large events.

The main entrance will be on the building’s east side.