BENTONVILLE — Benton County planners on Wednesday approved expansion plans for Camp War Eagle.
The expansion to the youth camp on Beaver Lake in southeastern Benton County, will be done in phases over a five-year period. For 2013, the expansion is scheduled to include summer staff housing, one duplex and two camper cabins, according to information from the planning staff.
Overall, the expansion calls for building 14 camper cabins, some additional staff cabins, office space and a picnic pavilion on about 44 acres of the 383-acre camp site.
The initial plan was approved by the Washington County’s Planning Board on April 1, 2004. The land was in Washington County at the time, according to Pete Day, director of Camp War Eagle, but was later transferred to Benton County at the same time some Benton County territory on the opposite side of Beaver Lake was transferred to Washington County. Day told the board at its Jan. 16 meeting the land swap was voluntary and was initiated by the camp to facilitate emergency services to the camp. The camp is described as a three-season facility capable of housing up to 400 children at a time with a staff of about 200.
The board approved the proposal, but did ask the camp owners to provide a letter from their engineer indicating the stormwater management plan for the camp that was approved in 2004 remains adequate for the expansion.
The board also approved plans for an addition to H&H Classic Parts, at 12325 Arkansas 12 near Bentonville. The board heard from a neighbor, Michael Hollingsworth, who asked a fence be considered as a buffer between his residence and the expanding business property. After some discussion, the board voted to approve the plan with a proposed vegetation buffer along the property line.
In the Technical Advisory Committee portion of its meeting, the board heard a report on a proposed expansion of Wolfe Boat Works at 14101 Arkansas 12 near Rogers. The planning staff noted a list of discrepancies deficiencies in the plan for the property and the board asked the owners to work with the staff to try to correct the problems in time for a Feb. 20 public hearing.