Alderman Mike Overton's comment the other night at the Springdale City Council was the most ridiculous articulation of oratorical denunciation we've ever witnessed.
Too strong? We're just trying to keep up with the city representative from Ward 2.
What’s the point?
Springdale’s City Council made the right decision in creating an overlay development district around Arvest Ballpark.
On a momentous -- you can take that in a good or bad way -- night, the Springdale City Council voted to establish the Ballpark/Southwest Springdale Overlay District to guide development of the land around Arvest Ballpark.
Overton, who didn't care for the district at all, referred to the decision as the "most egregious abrogation of property rights I've witnessed."
Whewee! That's some highfalutin talk for the Springdale City Council chambers. Them words are so big they probably violate the district's setback requirements.
He wasn't kidding, but we had to chuckle. He was either trying to win an Oscar or hasn't witnessed very many examples of property rights being ... what'd he call it ... abrogated.
It may be Overton is still frustrated over what happened with the Love's Travel Center, aka truck stop, he supported at the corner of Interstate 48 and Don Tyson Parkway. That proposal back in 2013 set the stage for discussions in Springdale about the city's role in guiding -- some would say dictating -- development around one of the municipalities biggest investments.
Smack in the middle of all that undeveloped land west of the interchange is the Arvest Ballpark, home of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals minor league team. The city built the ballpark, which opened in 2008, to lure a team, and the former Wichita Wranglers obliged. Voters approved a bond issue for the park in 2003. The ballpark is a major draw for visitors, and city officials hope it will also be a major draw for development.
But not just any kind of development. Overton was among those who favored letting a truck stop develop in that area. He was following the long-held tradition in Springdale of approving any and all businesses, of doing whatever it takes to make businesses happy. That's why parts of Springdale's main routes are cacophonies of signs, parking lots and traffic coming from all angles.
Others envision greater things for the land around the ballpark, much of which is owned by the Tyson and George families. And a vision is needed there. Mayor Doug Sprouse development around Arvest Ballpark a major pursuit, recognizing the city's earlier investment will be wasted if the city doesn't take great care in how the around around the amenity develops.
Egregious? That's what we would call any plan that invests public dollars to create an outstanding amenity then opens the floodgates for any type of development surrounding it. We hate to lob out an overused comparison, but who wants the ballpark area to end up looking like Sunset Avenue, otherwise known as U.S. 412?
So the City Council adopted the overlay district, which is basically creating a zone of special rules for an identifiable section of land. This district covers the area from Sunset Avenue to the north, Interstate 49 to the east, North Maestri Road or the city limits to the west and 660 feet south of the Don Tyson Parkway to the south.
The goal, according to Planning and Community Development Director Patsy Christie, is to create a "a unique brand" for the area.
The rules are much more strict than one will find in most areas of a city, but a lot of public investment is being made to convert the area into a desirable location. It no doubt is also will have a positive impact on land values as a comprehensive approach improves the chances that the area will successfully develop in a way that complements the city's investments.
For any "don't tread on me" advocates who believe nobody but the landowner has any say over the use of property, this is no doubt a shameful step by the city. But let's not pretend an overlay district is a new thing. Cities have had, and courts have upheld, a level of regulatory power within cities when it comes to development. Springdale isn't overstepping its bounds. It's just a policy decision, made by elected representatives.
In our view, it's a smart one. Why else did the city invest in building a ballpark if not to capitalize on the investment. It wasn't just to hear "Take Me Out to the Ballpark" on a regular basis. And the private property owners will benefit as well.
So far, Arvest Ballpark has been a beautiful structure in the middle of grass fields and cows. The City Council's decision sets the stage for good things ahead for Springdale. As long as our national economy continues its upward trend, we predict this area will be thriving within a few years.
Then, everyone will know the overlay district was really a home run.
Commentary on 02/28/2015