Panel Tables Master Street Plan Changes In Bella Vista

— A resolution proposing amendments to Bella Vista’s master street plan was tabled by aldermen Monday night in an effort for council members to gather more information on the changes recommended.

During the regular meeting, Alderman Jim Wozniak said he has a number of questions about the proposed changes, and though he is for the idea of updating the street plan, he wants more information before voting.

Members of the Planning Commission voted at their regular meeting Nov. 13 to recommend changes to the plan, including expanding Dartmoor Road west to meet Cunningham Drive and rerouting Oldham Drive to connect with the new Dartmoor. The amendments would also call for the signalized intersection at Bella Vista Way and Dartmoor Road to be updated to more recent technology.

Alderman Doug Farner made the motion to table the resolution for one month, saying there is “no big rush” to move it forward.

In other business, an ordinance amending the previously adopted solid waste collection ordinance — requiring residences of the city to use the city-contracted company for solid waste pickup — was moved to its second reading next month.

The amendment inserts into the ordinance the requirement for commercial businesses to adhere to the city contract regarding solid waste collection as well.

“Including commercial (pickup in the contract) brings down the residential rate, and should bring down the commercial rate, too,” said Mayor Frank Anderson.

Anderson struck two resolutions from the agenda at the start of the meeting, also pertaining to trash collection. The details of the contract and the commercial and residential rates were not negotiated as of the meeting, because of Anderson’s service on a jury last week.

Those resolutions will be broached after negotiations are finished.

Anderson also informed aldermen the repairs on Dogwood Drive are finished, which included concrete resurfacing of the street after severe storm damage in 2011. Anderson said the street is in better condition now than it was before the flooding that year, thanks to primary funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Work on Evanton Drive, also a FEMA-funded project, will begin after bids are opened and finalized later this week.

Council members will meet in a work session Nov. 28 at City Hall to discuss the 2013 budget. The time is yet to be determined.

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