ROGERS -- The Planning Commission on Tuesday approved a plan for a 322-unit apartment complex receiving criticism from nearby landowners.
The complex is planned for property southwest of Horsebarn Lane and Horsebarn Road. Construction could begin this year and be completed in 2017, said Seth Mims, partner and president of Specialized Real Estate Group.
Commissioners approved two waivers for slopes to driveways for the complex.
City code allows for concrete driveways with up to a 10 percent slope, Lance Jobe, Rogers engineer said. He said a 10 percent slope is the maximum allowed in the code.
A waiver was granted for a driveway at a 12 percent slope from Horsebarn Road for the site. Another waiver was allowed for asphalt to be used on a 14 percent slope from Horsebarn Lane.
Mims said the Horsebarn Lane entrance will only be used in case of an emergency. He said it could be used by fire engines and other emergency vehicles to reach the complex.
Improvements also will be made to Horsebarn Lane to allow for the access point, Mims said. This includes expanding the road from 10 feet to 20 feet.
"Right now the homeowners have no mechanism to improve the road they are using," Mims said. "This is a good thing for them."
Some property owners expressed concerns about the road at the meeting.
Autumn Pullen asked the Planning Commission to require concrete for the road.
"There was a waiver that was required for fire access use but it is used every day by my family," Pullen said. "I am not an engineer that is what I depend on the city for. If code says concrete, let's do concrete."
Several commissioners noted asphalt has been used on similar slopes throughout the city and have worked well.
"This has been a controversy and we want to get it right," said Mark Myers, commissioner. "I think you are all coming out out ahead of the game here."
The Planning Commission approved changes to a planned unit development for the complex in November. About 30 residents attended that meeting to oppose the project.
Confusion by city staff over whether the complex could use 10-foot setbacks delayed the project moving through the development phase.
It was determined that 10-foot setbacks could be used for the complex by city staff.
No further approval is needed from the city for the development. Developers will need to show they are meeting requirements to receive a construction permit.
NW News on 05/04/2016