Perhaps it’s just a part of human nature to want to put off dealing with some matters until circumstances force us to face them.
How many of us really plan a funeral, even though it would be a gift to loved ones to have it all worked out?
Cities are no diff erent. Typically, there are enough challenges to be addressed today, so city oftcials often don’t go looking for tomorrow’s troubles.
But when it comes to the development of cities, having a plan exponentially increases the odds of success. Reacting to problems after the fact is far less eftcient. It’s like closing up the coop after the chickens are out.
Which brings us, of course, to Springdale.
City Council members last week delayed a decision on a request for a tall truck stop sign at Dearing Road and 56th Street. Some only recently became aware of a 2008 planning study that, as part of adevelopment master plan for the more than 1,000 acres surrounding Arvest Ballpark, set out the concept of an overlay district. Such districts allow for creation of rules specific to an area, with the goal of guiding development rather than simply allowing it to happen in a hodge-podge fashion.
The sign proposal and development of a truck stop in the area have created a bit of an uproar.
Some say any business willing to invest there should get the welcome mat. Others, including the 2008 study, suggest the land is a “prime development opportunity that could have a lasting impact on Springdale and the greater Northwest Arkansas region for decades to come.”
The study, backed by the Springdale Chamber of Commerce, pitches a critically important concept: Development guided by a plan will lead to a better return for a city already invested in the area through creation of Arvest Ballpark.
The crucial decision for city oft cials isn’t whether one tall sign will make or break development in the area. It’s really how Springdale will - or won’t - take part in maximizing potential near the ballpark.
Doing so takes patience and confi dence in a vision. Can the area become a destination retail and cultural area? Can Springdale believe in the vision?
Having a plan means saying yes to some ideas and no to others. Can Springdale get comfortable with strategic rejections?
An overlay district’s time has come.
CASEY’S AT BAT We applaud neighbors of a proposed Casey’s convenience store who turned out last week as the Rogers Planning Commission considered the store’s location on Second Street.
They had legitimate concerns about the 4,346-square-foot store. But those concerns weren’t enough to block the store, nor should they have been. The commission approved the project.
Susan Mills, the commission’s chairman, wisely reminded everyone that the opportunity for involvement isn’t over. The store still has to go through a large-scale development process in which the questions nearby residents hold should be raised and addressed. It is through that process that the Planning Commission in the past has acted to protect neighborhoods. Situated right in the historic district, Casey’s should come to the process expecting scrutiny and off ering collaboration to make the addition of their venture a positive experience for the entire community.
Opinion, Pages 5 on 09/22/2012