PRIVATE SCHOOL: Planners Deny Request

TRAFFIC CONCERNS SQUELCH SHILOH CHRISTIAN PROPOSAL

— The request for a conditional-use permit from Shiloh Christian School officials to operate a school in a commercial business complex was rejected Tuesday by planning commissioners.

Shiloh Christian is a private school in Springdale with students from pre-kindergarten through high school. The private school is part of Cross Church, which has locations in Springdale, Rogers and Fayetteville.

The request to open an elementary school in Rogers is the first time the school has tried to open a satellite campus, according to school officials.

Commissioners unanimously voted against the permit after more than an hour of discussion. Commissioner Mark Myer was absent from the meeting.

Ben Mayes, president of Shiloh Christian, who had a letter of support from Legacy Bank and seven parents, spoke in favor of the school.

AT A GLANCE

Rogers Planners

The Rogers Planning Commission met Tuesday and passed:

• A development plan for Towmate at 100 W. Union St. The property is zoned light industrial.

• A request from Rhonda Schultz to rezone 4614 Garrett Road from agricultural to residential single-family residential.

• A conditional-use permit for a secondhand store at 118 W. Elm St. The property is zoned downtown commercial.

• A request from Robert Hull to close one entrance on Persimmon Street and add an entrance on 13th Street. The new entrance will require a waiver from access management standards.

Source: Staff Report

Mayes said the elementary school with pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade classes would serve a maximum of 112 students.

Bob and Debbie Bastian, owners of Debbie’s Family Pharmacy, asked the commissioners not to grant the permit.

Bob Bastian said he thought the ruling by the commission was the right decision.

“I think the commission was right about the location not being a good mix with surrounding business. I don’t know if school officials plan to appeal the ruling to the City Council, but for now I’m pleased with the decision,” Bastian said.

School officials left quickly after the ruling and were not available for comment.

Traffic was one of the major issues that concerned the commissioners and the Bastians. The biggest concern for commissioners was not the traffic but was locating a school in commercial center.

Commissioners kept coming back to the location of the proposed school, 5413 Pinnacle Point Drive, in the middle of a office and retail complex.

Originally the building was Market Place, an upscale grocery and cafe. The building shares a common wall with Portfolio Real Estate, 5409 Pinnacle Point Drive at one end and Legacy Bank, 5414 Pinnacle Point Drive at the other end.

Debbie’s Pharmacy, at 5403 Pinnacle Point Drive shares a common wall with the real estate office.

Commissioner Jim White and the other commissioner said they supported Shiloh Christian opening a school in Rogers, but not at that location.

“I just don’t think this is a good location for a school. It just doesn’t look like the right spot for a school,” White said.

Commissioner Ron Shelby summed up the major concern.

“I don’t think a school is compatible with the surrounding businesses. It’s not a good mix at that location. I don’t think a school fits into a strip mall,” Shelby said.

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