Planners OK apartment complex

Pinnacle residents oppose development near homes

ROGERS — A high-density apartment complex will come to South Champions Drive to the dismay of Pinnacle residents.

The Planning Commission voted Tuesday in favor of the planned unit development concept plan of 13 acres between Champions Drive and Pinnacle Hills Parkway to be developed as residential multifamily at 19 units per acre. SC Bodner Co. Inc. proposed Pinnacle Place Apartments, which will likely consist of 241 units and is directly south of the Pauline Whitaker Parkway roundabout.

Buildings will likely be three stories tall or a height of 54 feet.

Attorney Bill Watkins, who represented the project, said the developer abided by city ordinances and “earned” its density by providing 50 percent green space, more than the required amount. Much of the green space is water, including a detention pond and fountains.

“Given its location, it’s never going to be houses,” Watkins said. Making the area an office park would be a disadvantage in terms of steeper building heights, he said. “If there’s going to be density, this is the perfect place for it.”

“Are we happy about three-story apartments next to us? No we’re not,” said resident Martin Border, who attended the meeting with his wife, Lisa, who also opposed the project.

The couple had opposed a prior development near to their home and had a poor experience with city notifications. They expressed little faith in having the chance to be heard during this project.

“We’re interested in the protection of family and privacy,” Border said. “Most people who live in apartments are fine people but transient … we’re concerned about sight lines into the back of our yard.”

Resident Meredith Haviland said she dreads increased traffic, increased noise and decreased property values.

”I don’t think this is responsible growth, I think it’s someone taking advantage of situation,” Haviland said.

Christie Lamers, head of the Manors POA, said her community was expecting the potential of commercial

“Are we happy about three-story apartments next to us? No we’re not.” — Martin Border, Pinnacle resident

and single family residential neighborhoods, not multifamily residences.

“This is not something everyone is excited about,” she said.

Watkins told the Commission and public that the property seller is a Pinnacle resident and doubts he would want something “junky” in his own neighborhood.

Mike Cline, who represented the developer, said residents could reasonably compare it to the Watermark rentals on Walnut Creek in Rogers.

“This is a class A top of the market property,” Cline said.

Chairman Don Spann reminded residents that the Planning Commission would

not dictate conditions, features and design of the project until later stages and instead they would consider only the concept.

“I think that’s a compelling use of land,” said Commissioner Mark Myers. “This is not a request out of the ordinary for this location.”

Spann said the height of buildings is what bothers him most.

“Any developer who wants to come forward and subject themselves to PUD process, which is more stringent, that’s fine,” said Commissioner Tony Noblin. It will get them “locked in on elevation, location, height and all that.

“As far as I’m concerned they can do it.”

John Schmelzle, Don Spann and Eriks Zvers voted against the project.