Rogers Shopping Center Owner To Appeal Curb Cut Rule

Monday, June 16, 2014

ROGERS -- A shopping center owner plans to continue his fight with city officials over the number of curb cuts he will be allowed when Walnut Street is widened in 2016.

John Sporleder, owner of Quarter Shopping Center, 1400 W. Walnut St., has three curb cuts at the center -- a cut at each end of the U-shaped center and a third cut that goes to the back of the building for deliveries.

Sporleder is scheduled to appeal a ruling by city engineers he will only be allowed one curb cut when Walnut Street is widened to five lanes between Eighth Street and Dixieland Road.

"If I have only one entrance and exit it will hurt the businesses in the center. We need all the entrances and exits we have," Sporleder said. He said he wants to leave the number of curb cuts as it is.

Sporleder doesn't have enough frontage on Walnut Street to have more than one curb cut, said Lance Jobe, city engineer.

"City code states a business must have 650 linear feet to have more than one curb cut. Mr. Sporleder's property spans about 260 linear feet," Jobe said.

The widening of Walnut Street is a joint venture between the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department and the city. The project is estimated to cost $20 million. The cost is to be split 50/50, and money for the project is listed in 2016 funding for the Highway Department.

The Planning Commission is to meet at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in Council Chambers at City Hall, 301 W. Chestnut St. Entrance is on the northeast side of the building.

Agenda items include:

• A large-scale development plan for Cavender's, a western wear store, at 2604 Pleasant Crossing Drive in a highway commercial zone.

• A request from Kathy Short and Jessica Suggs for a conditional use permit to allow a day care at 500 N. Dixieland Road in a neighborhood commercial zone.

• A temporary concession trailer request from Aldo Del Mazo, for 1816 S. Eighth St. in a highway commercial zone.

• A temporary concession trailer request from Jaime Fonseca for 2400 S. Eighth St. in a highway commercial zone.

NW News on 06/16/2014