Rules Being Reviewed

Officials To Discuss Development Regulations

— Benton County justices of the peace will discuss the county’s development regulations today as they review the rules developers and property owners are asked to follow.

The Legislative Committee of the Benton County Quorum Court is set to meet at 5:30 p.m. in the Quorum Courtroom at the County Administration Building, 215 E. Central Ave. The committee will discuss the planning regulations and possible legislation Benton County would like to have considered in the 2013 session of the state Legislature.

At A Glance

Draft Version

A draft version of the revised Benton County Planning and Development Regulations, commonly called “the Blue Book,” can be found on the county website at http://www.co.benton.ar.us/CountyPlanning/Regulations.aspx. Copies of the draft can also be obtained in electronic form or paper copies by calling the Benton County Planning Department at 479-271-1003.

Source: Staff Report

The Benton County Planning Board and the Planning Department staff have reviewed and revised the county’s regulations, commonly called “the Blue Book,” for more than a year, said Elizabeth Bowen, county general services administrator. The most recent rules revision was adopted in 1998, Bowen said.

“We’re trying to improve the ability of members of the public to do the things they need to do,” Bowen said.

The county’s large-scale development regulations are one area where a major revision is proposed. The county requires new developments to go through essentially a single process, regardless of the size or nature of the project, Bowen said.

Justice of the Peace Dan Douglas, chairman of the Legislative Committee, said it is unfair to small businesses and needs to be changed.

“If the Hiwasse Hilton needs to add a little room onto their dining room, they don’t need to go through this whole long development process,” he said, referring to the Hiwasse Dairy Freeze by its popular nickname.

Douglas expects the review process will involve several meetings through the early months of 2013. Bowen has targeted March as a deadline for accepting comments and suggestions and incorporating them into a final proposal for the Quorum Court to consider.

County Judge Bob Clinard said the committee also will review the county’s legislative agenda, which the Quorum Court has recommended be sent to area lawmakers for possible action.

One subject Clinard said he would like the Legislature to address is the division of the road millage between the county and some cities. Clinard said most cities in Arkansas split the road millage with their county governments on a 50-50 basis, but some have gotten a 90-10 split incorporated into state law. He said Rogers, Bentonville and Siloam Springs all receive a larger share of the revenue in Benton County. He estimated the loss to the county is about $700,000 annually.

“It’s a lot of money,” Clinard said.

The county lost a lawsuit in 2008 seeking to overturn the division between the county and Bentonville and Siloam Springs, arguing the split was adopted through special legislation in violation of an amendment to the state Constitution. Rogers was not included in that lawsuit because the law giving it a 90-10 split predated the amendment banning special legislation, according to County Attorney George Spence.

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