BENTONVILLE — The Cracker Barrel Old County Store will be closer to opening a location in Bentonville if the Planning Commission approves large-scale development plans for the project at a meeting today.
The 8,960-square-foot restaurant and store is planned for 2307 S.E. Walton Blvd. at the site of the Travelodge. The former hotel will be razed to make way for the building and 128 parking spaces.
Patrons will be able to access the restaurant from South Walton Boulevard and Moberly Lane, according to agenda documents.
Renderings show the traditional Cracker Barrel layout, with a front porch and rocking chairs on the south side and parking spaces surrounding the building.
Commissioners also are set to consider a conditional-use permit for a liquor store at 1200 S.E. 14th St., Suite 2. A liquor permit was issued to Parminder Singh for Liquor Haven at that location on July 20.
A city ordinance requires retail outlets selling alcoholic beverages within 500 feet of a city-owned park or trail obtain a conditional-use permit. Liquor Haven is referred to as No. 1 Liquor in the city permit application with property owner Richard Thomas listed as the applicant.
The store will be across Southeast 14th Street from the South Bentonville Trail. The trail is part of the Razorback Greenway.
Planner Beau Thompson said the city is recommending the commission approve the permit.
“There’s a solid hedge of evergreen trees that separates the trail from 14th Street,” Thompson said. “There are five lanes of traffic, the trees and a parking lot between the trail and the liquor store.”
Thompson said the city is not recommending any conditions on the permit given that the store is already screened from the trail.
Walmart requests a lot split and right of way waiver for its Information Systems Division addition off Southeast Eighth Street. The split would create a 10- and a 16-acre lot. The lots will be located north of Southeast Eighth Street along Southeast Moberly Lane.
Walmart asks that the right of way not be dedicated until after the final design is completed for a planned widening project on Eighth Street.
Project Engineer John Trahan with CEI Engineering Associates said the company has entered into a development agreement with the city to address future right of way dedication for the property and others associated with the widening project.
Plans for Lakeside North Office Park also will go before commissioners today. Daniel Ellis requests approval for a 67,600-square foot, four-story office complex at 1600 Phyllis St. The development will have 209 parking spaces, plans show.
Commissioners also are set to consider major changes to the city’s landscaping and outdoor vendor ordinances. The landscape revisions will introduce changes aimed to increase tree canopy in the city and decrease the costs associated with storm water.
“The changes will add more mature tree canopy to our ordinance,” Thompson said.
Changes to the outdoor vendor ordinance will create new categories for vendors and add language allowing for outdoor vendor parks.