ROGERS -- The Planning Commission approved new zoning for downtown Rogers on Tuesday.
The changes condense zoning downtown from eight to four types. City officials have said the changes bring conformity to a process that's scattered and confusing.
Meeting
The last of several public meetings regarding the rezoning of downtown and the master downtown plan will be held on July 28 at Rogers City Hall, 301 W. Chestnut Street at 6:30 p.m.
Robert Parsons, Gateway Planning associate, said the changes define how development should look in downtown. He said the changes also enhance the pedestrian experience and preserve downtown's historic features.
Gateway Planning was hired last year by the city to develop a downtown plan. The zoning changes are a recommendation of the plan.
The City Council approved the plan during its meeting July 14. It also will have to approve the zoning changes. The zoning changes are set to go before the council July 28.
No one from the public spoke against or for the changes. Two residents had questions.
"Is this all cast in concrete," Davis asked. "Will it ever change?"
Jim White, planning commissioner, said the plan has the ability to change.
"This will be a work in progress," White said. "We won't be through with this. Our staff will find things we will need to change."
Chris Griffin, staff attorney, said there could be some gray areas commissioners find with the zoning definitions in the future.
"When we get into an area with conflict I think we will be more forgiving of a property already in existence before the changes," Griffin said. "If it is a gray area we need to side with the owner."
The four zones proposed include: core mixed use, commercial mixed use, industrial arts and neighborhood transition.
The new zones were written in a way to be easily understood by commissioners and the public, Parsons said. He said tables and illustrations have been provided. For example, illustrations show set-back distances.
Parsons said the changes will not affect current property owners. He said the use of the property will also be grandfathered. He said if a property sells and the same use continues the new owners will not have to comply to the zoning changes.
An "act of God" event would require the property owner to redevelop with the new zoning, Parsons said. He said this could include a building burning down from a lightning strike. He said previous zoning standards in the downtown region would grandfather the use of a property, if this happened.
Derrel Smith, Rogers senior planner, said the new regulations would take affect 30 days after City Council approval. He said someone in the process of developing property in downtown would be grandfathered, if they have already received a permit.
Another public hearing will be held before the City Council meeting July 28.
NW News on 07/22/2015