BENTONVILLE -- The Planning Commission agreed to allow a group creating a community radio station to install an antenna on The Meteor Guitar Gallery downtown. The permit has several conditions and will be reviewed in six months.
The commission was narrowly divided on the 4-3 approval. Commissioners Scott Eccleston, Jim Grider, Rod Sanders and Debi Havner voted for the permit. Richard Binns, Greg Matteri and Joe Haynie voted against it.
Commission Action
Bentonville’s Planning Commission met Tuesday and approved:
• Lot splits at SE 22nd St., at North Walton Boulevard and Northwest J Street, at Southwest Seventh and Southwest B streets, and at 2402 SE Cottonwood St.
• Development plans for 2402 SE Cottonwood St.
• Rezoning 9004 Windmill Road from agriculture to single family residential.
Tabled:
• Rezoning 304 SW Glover St. from single family residential to central residential, moderate density.
• Rezoning 305 SW D St. from single family residential to central residential, moderate density.
• Rezoning 401 N. Main St., 310, 402 and 404 NW A St. from single family residential to central residential, moderate density.
• Rezoning five acres on Southwest Second Street, west of Southwest Tater Black Road from agricultural to planned unit development.
Source: Staff report
There are six conditions of the permit. Some include an obstruction evaluation and an airport airspace analysis must be completed, the tower must be painted light gray and the permit will expire Nov. 3 but can be reviewed for additional time, according to the planning staff report.
One of the criteria to be used for review is whether the tower is visually obtrusive, Beau Thompson, city planner, told commissioners.
"It's hard to prove visual obtrusiveness if it's not installed," he said. "Our recommendation is based off the fact that it has to be in place before we can analyze if it's visually obtrusive or not."
The initial request included an antenna in the center of the building's roof and supported by guy wires. Planning staff and commissioners expressed concern it would be an "eyesore" if installed on The Meteor at 128 W. Central Ave.
Officials asked Garrett Brewer, station director, to pursue alternatives, such as using space on a different tower, finding a different location or using a monopole that wouldn't need guy wires for support.
The commission tabled the permit its last three meetings while alternative options were sought.
The permit was approved for an 8-inch, 40-foot monopole that would be placed in the northwest corner on The Meteor. It will be attached to the building's roof and wall, Thompson said.
James Hiland, who lives a few blocks west on West Central Avenue, cautioned commissioners during the public hearing about approving the permit. He said it could be an eyesore or it could be an opportunity if it was turned into something that looked similar to a 1940s radio beacon or other landmark the community could be proud of.
"We're building a world-class community here, let's not detract from it," he said.
Brewer also spoke during the public hearing and explained the nonprofit group behind the station has raised more than $10,000 from many donors who have given $10 to $20 a piece.
"That's a lot of people who would love to see it happened," he said.
The Planning Department also has received letters of support from two adjacent property owners.
The station, KOBV 103.3, will broadcast community events and an eclectic mix of music not on commercial radio. It will broadcast out of the old projection room in The Meteor.
NW News on 05/04/2016