ROGERS -- The Planning Commission approved rezoning property on Amis Road to multifamily after concerns from residents Tuesday.
Elkhead LLC of Rogers requested rezoning 811 to 813 E. Amis Road from residential duplexes to residential multifamily.
Three residents spoke against the zoning change.
Traci Sickels said the property backs up to her home.
"It would be right there," Sickels said. "I can't imagine a complex in this very, very tiny spot."
Sickels also was concerned with traffic from the complex. She said it sits where Amis and Pleasant Ridge Roads intersect. She said school traffic can cause traffic to back up at the intersection.
"I already see the struggle of trying to back out of my driveway and onto that road," Sickels said.
Andrew Curry, a lawyer with Watkins, Boyer, Gary & Curry, represented the project. He said his client planned to build a four-unit complex on the site.
Commissioner Mark Myers said current zoning allows a developer to build two duplexes with two units in each building each.
"It doesn't change the use of the property really," Meyers said. "This might even be better for the site."
Duplexes wouldn't need to come before the commission, Meyers said. He said a multifamily complex does. The commission has more control over a project, if it comes before the commission, he said.
The rezoning will still need City Council approval. It's expected to be reviewed at the council's Aug. 25 meeting.
The Planning Commission also approved rezoning land Regional Recreation Gymnastics sits on from agricultural to neighborhood commercial.
The gym was denied a permit last month by the commission and City Council.
David Marshall, the gym's owner, previously said denial of the permit could put his business at risk.
City officials said the permit wasn't approved because of non-compliance of requests from the city. Requests for a parking lot and landscaping date to May 2014, according to city documents.
Dirk Thibodaux, president of Gray Rock engineering, represented the rezoning Tuesday. He said approval for the rezoning will help the business stay open. He said the business will still need to go through an approval process.
The council also will have to approve the rezoning. It's expected to be discussed at the next council meeting Aug. 25.
NW News on 08/19/2015