SPRINGDALE -- The Planning Commission on Tuesday night voted 7-0 to approve the layout of a subdivision with a new concept.
In the development plan filed with the city, builders are seeking "to provide a single-family residential neighborhood that offers quality entry-level homes and promotes pride in ownership and community."
The Summer View subdivision is planned for 10 acres north of Don Tyson Parkway and South of Julio Road on the city's east side. The subdivision will feature 41 single-family homes of 1,600 to 2,000 square feet on 60-foot lots, Mike Pennington, the developer with Gateway homes, told the commission.
But the homes will be built following standards often required of larger homes in the city -- 90 percent brick facade and architectural shingles, for example.
"It will be an upper-scale subdivision in a smaller package," Pennington said. "We've already got people calling. Empty-nesters, who want a cottage-style home -- first-time homebuyers, up-and-coming couples."
And the requirements for those homeowners will be steep. Front yards must be sodded with one tree and landscaping around the house. Garages may not be converted to living space. No cars may be parked on the street or maintenance completed outside of the garage. No trailers or other outbuildings can sit on the property. No antenna or satellite dish may be erected and lawns must be kept mowed and free of weeds, toys, yard decorations and more.
"Special attention will be given to inform and educate each new owner of the requirements and restrictions that are an important part of this neighborhood, with emphasis on yard maintenance, parking and making any changes to the home, as well as the consequences of violating these requirements and restrictions," reads the plan.
Pennington proposed a property owners association to enforce these standards. Dues collected yearly would be used to establish a legal fund to help enforce requirements and restrictions, as well as provide upkeep for the common areas of the subdivision. The dues might run from $250 to $300 a year, Pennington said.
Commission members looked to the future when the property owners association might not be active and members not paying dues for the legal fund and the upkeep of the common areas.
"How to we take care of this? Who do we go to? The city can't enforce covenants," Patsy Christie, director of the city's Planning Department, echoed Commissioners concerns.
The subdivision is being built with a planned use development zoning, which allowed for the smaller lots, Christie continued. But then standard code enforcement by the city doesn't apply.
However, the zoning category allows the planned neighborhood restrictions -- a development document -- to be listed and added to the final development plan, Christie said. "And then it's adopted by the city, so the city can enforce them.
"You never know what's going to work," Christie said. "Har-Ber Meadows is an example of a [planned use development] that worked well. The Commons is an example of a [planned use development] that didn't work well."
City staff and attorneys will work with the developer to create the document with which all parties will be happy, Christie stated before the commission members voted.
"He still has to submit his construction plan and engineering specifics. All this will be included in the final plat, so he has plenty of time," Christie said.
Pennington declined comment after the meeting.
NW News on 07/04/2018