Rogers Planning Commissioners Reject Permit Request

ROGERS -- A request Tuesday to operate a sand and gravel business on New Hope Road was met with opposition from neighbors at the planning commissioners meeting.

Miguel Andrade has been using 2301 W. New Hope Road as a place to park a tractor-trailer and some sand and gravel for a few weeks. The property is zoned agricultural, but the surrounding property is residential.

At A Glance

Commission Action

Rogers’ Planning Commission met Tuesday and approved:

• The plan for 3,166 square-foot Pei Wei restaurant at 4895 W. Pauline Whitaker Parkway.

• A permit request from NWA Custom Audio & Lighting to allow installation of audio and lighting equipment on vehicles at 2403 W. Hudson Road, Suite 1.

Source: Staff Report

About 25 residents from the Arbors complex and other affected neighbors made it clear to commissioners the sand and gravel business wasn't wanted in the neighborhood.

Daniel Copeland representing the Arbors residents told commissioners the property owners association, representing 94 homes in the complex, were against granting the permit.

"We have three reasons we are against this request," Copeland said. First, is general safety; the second is the possibility that gravel could fall from trucks and damage windshield; and the third is having slow moving trucks entering on New Hope Road where the speed limit is 50 mph. This basically residential property in the area and we ask you deny this request," Copeland said.

Wilson Rowlett of 1801 S. 24th St. also had reasons he was against the permit. His reasons included mud when it rains and dust in the air when it's dry. The danger of trucks pulling out in fast moving traffic and the location is close to the Rogers Aquatic Center.

"This is a disaster just waiting to happen," Rowlett said.

Donald Denny said his property backs up to Andrade's property.

"Our deck is in the back. I think we would get a lot of dust that would make sitting on the deck uncomfortable, Denny said.

"We have too much land zoned agriculture inside the city limits. This is not a cow town any more. This is a city and it's going to continue to grow," he added.

Mike Myers, commissioner, said land brought into the city is dedicated as agricultural zoning.

"It's a way to put a hold on the land until a development that fits the area is brought to the commission for rezoning," Myers said.

Commissioners didn't approve the permit.

Andrade asked if he could still park the tractor-trailer and his truck on his property.

"This is issue has been decided by the commission. I suggest you get with the planning staff tomorrow to find out how your property can be used with the current zoning," said Chris Griffin, deputy city attorney

NW News on 08/20/2014

Upcoming Events