Elkhorn drainage questioned
Builders, a business owner and city department heads met with city building official Tony Townsend and Planning Commission members for a tech review to discuss building plans for several developments.
Kelli Rosser, who purchased Mrs. Neecy’s Daycare, asked planners advice on her plan to tear down one building and construct a new building. Planners discussed the driveway and parking lot to keep the plans in line with city ordinances.
Rosser told planners she had run a similar business in Bentonville and said the requirements in Pea Ridge were less restrictive than in Bentonville. She said she plans to care for about 100 children in the summer and has 10 employees, although may hire more. The new building is planned to be 106-by44-feet. City Water Department employee Mike Nida said there is no city sewer there.
Pat Tobin presented plans to planners for a commercial development planned for one of two lots at the front of Summit Meadows on Slack Street. Several issues were discussed including whether it was possible to provide a drive-in window on one of the office spaces. Christian McGuire, project engineer with Bates and Associates, agreed to make all adjustments as advised by planners.
“This will bring in more revenue than the grassy area,” Tobin said.
Tim Lemmons, engineer, also spoke to planners representing Franklin Miller on Phase 3 with Elkhorn subdivision. Planners questioned how there could be a new phase 3 when the property in
question wasn’t even on the original plans approved.
Extensive discussion revolved around drainage and pushing water from phases of the development to one still not developed.
“I don’t see how we are going to push water to Phase 4 when we don’t have a Phase 4,” Dr. Karen Sherman, planner, said. “If this never develops, we will have approved detention on property that belongs to someone else. He could sell it. That’s the whole reason for it not to go to another lot that is not a part of this subdivision.”
Lemmons said he wanted to ignore the term “phase” and just deal with the property.
Planner Jerry Burton recalled when a similar situation had happened causing drainage problems for a different developer. “I don’t want to kick that can down the road,” Burton said, adding: “I don’t know if Franklin is going to develop that or not.”
“It all goes to buyer beware,” Lemmons said. “You could put an easement around the detention pond, but we don’t want to make it a part of this subdivision.”
“We want one pond to accommodate the entire development,” Lemmons continued.
Nida also said: “I want to voice a concern I’ve noticed from this other subdivision. We need you to make sure you’ve got a resident inspector out there to be sure As Builts are submitted. I’m out there every day. But, when I get As Builts, they’re not jiving with tap locations and we’re dealing with plumbers who’ve routed clear across lots.”
Plans discussed at tech reviews are to be presented at Planning Commission meetings for official decisions.