Metal Recycler Appeals Permit Denial

— Benton County is facing an appeal of the decision by the Planning Board denying a request to allow a metal recycling business operate at a site near Gentry.

County Judge Bob Clinard told the members of the Quorum Court’s Legislative Committee he received a notice of appeal in the USA Metal Recycling application. Clinard told the justices of the peace he’ll appoint three members of the Quorum Court to hear the appeal and asked anyone who might be interested in serving on the appeals board to contact him.

The Planning Board denied a request from USA Metal Recycling for a permit to operate on a site near Gentry at the Jan. 4 meeting. The board cited the incompatibility of the operation with the agricultural and residential character of the area.

Many residents of the area attended public hearings on the application and spoke against the business. Gentry city officials also spoke against allowing the business to operate.

In a letter to Clinard, Jason Wales, an attorney representing the business, said the appeal seeks to over turn the decision and have the county “approve its application for a large Scale Commercial and Industrial Development at 13670 Old Highway 59, Gentry, Arkansas, and instruct the Planning Board to issue it any necessary permits and/or licenses to conduct its business thereon.”

Clinard said he hadn’t yet scheduled a date to hear the appeal. The county is still dealing with an appeal of Planning Board decision from last year, with the appeals board reversing the board’s denial of the Night Hawk Custom Training Academy for a shooting range on property near Centerton.

That project remains controversial, with neighbors lodging complaints with the Planning Board and the Quorum Court. Chris Ryan, the county’s planning and environmental director, said the company hasn’t completed some required work at the site and a notice of violation has been sent to the company, which has 15 days to respond.

The Legislative Committee met Tuesday to continue its review of planning regulations, commonly known as the “Blue Book.” The panel heard answers to questions raised during its review of the first two chapters and discussed Chapters 3 and 4 of the regulations. The next meeting to continue the review is scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 11 in the Quorum Courtroom at the County Administration Building in Bentonville.

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