Proposed Rogers apartment complex raises concerns

ROGERS -- The Planning Commission didn't come to a decision Tuesday on whether to rezone 21 acres for an apartment complex to replace an old factory building.

The commission tabled a motion to rezone the property on the north side of Stoney Brook Road property from an agricultural district to a planned unit development district.

Other action

Rogers’ Planning Commission approved Metal Roofing Sales’ development at 3501 W. Hudson Road, which is in the light industrial zoning district and Rogers Overlay District. The development will be three buildings totaling 30,400 square feet.

Source: Staff Report

The City Council sent the rezoning question back to the Planning Commission over concerns the proposed apartment complex required excessive density for the location and the elevation was too high. Density is awarded based on the provision of amenities such as open space, and the council questioned whether the amenities were sufficient, according to John McCurdy, director of Community Development.

"They're going to have consider removing the third story of the building adjacent to the neighboring homes or otherwise reduce the effective height of the structures," McCurdy said.

Kingman Land LLC wants to build a three-story, 356-unit multifamily complex called Pinnacle Lofts on the 21 acres adjacent and surrounding 5723 W. Stoney Brook Road.

"They're requesting a density of 19 units per acre. They have to have enough open space and amenities to justify that," said Lori Ericson, a planner with the city.

The developer claims to have 47 percent open green space in the complex's plans, including a flood plane area, and is requesting a density of 19 units per acre. However, they are including parking lot islands and strips of grass as open space, according to Ericson.

"They can have up to 21 units with 45 percent open space," she said. "Whether they have 47 percent or not that's up for the Planning Commission to judge."

Commissioners had a vigorous back and forth with Andrew Curry of the Rogers-based Watkins, Boyer, Gray & Curry, who represents Kingman Land during the development meeting immediately preceding the commission meeting.

"The staff's position is that parking lot islands and strips of grass should generally not be included as open space," McCurdy said.

Planning commissioner Mark Myers agreed.

"If kids can't play on it, it's probably not useful space," Myers said.

Curry said he agreed islands and strips of grass aren't open space, but said there are other areas that are.

A pallet factory once operated at the location and there has been unlawful activity, such as reported graffiti and drug use, in the building since it became vacant. The build has been dormant for over five years, Ericson said.

Curry stressed the apartment complex would be replacing a problem-ridden building.

"I think what we really need to talk about here is the removal of blight," he said. "We are taking a property that has been left in disrepair and has been left as a haven for rats and criminal activity... and creating an amenity for the entire community."

Commissioner Tony Noblin agreed the complex would be a major improvement, but he, Myers and Planning Commission Chairman Don Spann stressed the issue of too much density and too little open space in the complex's design.

"I think we'll have to table it," Spann said.

The complex is designed to built in two phases, with the first phase consisting of 222 units in nine buildings and the second phase consisting of 134 units in five buildings. Half the units will be one-bedroom and the other half will be two-bedroom, according to documents provided by Ericson.

NW News on 10/18/2017

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