Planners OK Road Proposal

Fifth Street Widening Pulled From Plan

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

— Residents got their first look at what Northwest Fifth Street would look like if it went through to North Walton Boulevard during Tuesday’s Planning Commission meeting.

Planners showed a concept created by Morrison Shipley Engineers that would widen Fifth Street by about seven feet and extend it the two blocks from where it dead ends out to Walton Boulevard.

The street extension is no longer a recommendation in the North Walton redevelopment plan. The contentious issue was pulled from the plan after the City Council sent it back to city staff last month.

Aldermen asked for drawings of what the street would look like when they asked for the plan to be reworked.

At A Glance

Commission Action

Bentonville’s Planning Commission met Tuesday and:

• Tabled a rezoning request for 210 S.E. A St.

• Approved a six-month conditional use permit for Janett’s Tiny Tots, 4400 S.W. Lilly St.

• Approved a lot split at Price Coffee Road and Old Dump Road.

Source: Staff Report

Engineers kept all trees along the street and managed to avoid encroaching on any fence lines, according to planner Brian Bahr.

Commissioners unanimously approved the North Walton redevelopment plan, which doesn't include extending or widening Fifth Street. The drawings were informational only, staff said.

Bahr said city planners will be available to talk with residents about the plan or about Fifth Street throughout this week. Troy Galloway, director of community development, stressed last week he wanted to be transparent with residents and make planning offices open to discuss their concerns.

“What’s to prevent this street from going in considering the amount of opposition to it?” asked Mark Clinard. Clinard doesn’t live on Fifth Street but has on office nearby, he said.

Bahr said the city would want residents to “buy in” to the proposed street before any construction was considered.

The revised North Walton Boulevard plan aims to add sidewalks and greenspace while supporting business owners on the street. It lists three commercial centers along the route, which runs from Central Avenue to Ridgefield Drive.

The street’s intersection with Central Avenue and with Tiger Boulevard will have concentrated commercial activity, as will the spot where an extended Fifth Street would have ended.

The plan will go before the City Council for review Tuesday.

Also on Tuesday’s agenda was a conditional use permit for Arkansas Helicopter Tours. The company will give helicopter tours of the area Saturday and Sunday from a lot just west of the former Clarion Hotel on South Walton Boulevard.

The property is being redeveloped as a Four Points Sheraton. Developers have agreed to lease parking spaces to the helicopter company if the city agrees the spots aren’t needed for its customers.

Commissioners unanimously approved the permit, provided the city re-evaluate the business in 90 days. Staff will provide commissioners with information on any comments at that time, said planner Beau Thompson.