Friday, February 7, 2014
BENTONVILLE — Two property owners who requested rezonings to the downtown edge zoning classification received community support at Wednesday night’s Planning Commission meeting.
The commission voted 7-0 to change 303 N. Main St. and 102 N.W. Third St. to downtown edge. The decision allows the owners to use their space for light commercial uses.
At A Glance
Downtown Zoning
The downtown edge zoning classification creates an area of transition between the downtown core and low-density residential. The downtown edge allows for commercial and residential mixed-use developments and will have the greatest potential for infill and redevelopment.
Source: City Of Bentonville
Michael and Kathleen Coughlin own 303 N. Main St. Donald and Jennifer Wallace own 102 N.W. Third St. where the Laughlin House Bed and Breakfast is located. The two properties are adjacent.
The Wallaces requested the rezoning so additional services could be offered at the bed and breakfast, according to their request to the commission. Services may include a gift shop, an area for a visiting masseuse and a place where small events could be held, none of which are permitted under the former zoning. No remodeling is anticipated.
The Coughlins “continuously field requests to rent our property for office or small retail space,” their request states.
The rezoning received more support than opposition during the public hearing.
Joana Garrison owns the Victoria Bed and Breakfast, 306 N. Main St., and spoke highly of the Wallaces as neighbors. The two bed and breakfasts work well together and send each other business when the other is full, she said.
“They are honest and trustworthy, and I think this will be an asset to our community,” she said.
Michael Coughlin read two letters from neighbors who supported the rezoning.
Jennifer Wallace spoke of one neighbor concerned about the impact the rezoning would have on property value. Wallace said she tried to reach out to the neighbor through email and by phone to address her concern.
Rustin Chrisco lives on North Main Street. He said he and his wife support the changes in the downtown area.
“We are at ground zero of where change in taking place in this town,” he said. “My wife and I have discussed this, and we have chosen to embrace change rather than let change go on around us without embracing it.”
A few people may be negatively affected by changes, but the larger picture shows many more people enjoy the downtown area, Chrisco said.
The commission also heard from Heather Wegner with Octopus Messaging who requested her property at 908 E. Central Ave. be rezoned from single-family residential to downtown edge so she could open a bakery and retail store for arts and baking supplies.
The commission tabled the request because the public notification letters about the public hearing had an error. A correction has been made, and the notifications have been sent out again, said Beau Thompson, a planner.
The item should be ready to vote on at the commission’s Feb. 18 meeting, he said.
The City Council approved the Southeast Downtown Area Plan at its Jan. 28 meeting. The plan calls for more mixed use development around the square. While the plan focuses on the southwest area past the square, the rezonings approved by the commission are north of the square near Lawrence Plaza.