Washington County panel makes no move on permit request

The Washington County Courthouse in Fayetteville.
The Washington County Courthouse in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- A proposed commercial venue denied by the Planning Board in May, but appealed to the Quorum Court, will be considered again next month, justices of the peace decided Thursday.

"I'd have been happier if they'd of upheld the Planning Board's decision," neighbor Tim Foster said. "We do not want to live next to a commercial industrial type place."

Planning process

The Washington County Planning Department helps developers bring their plans into compliance with ordinances, reviews development proposals and recommends ordinances or policy changes on land-use matters. The Planning Board reviews land development proposals to make sure they comply with ordinances. The Washington County Quorum Court ratifies development proposals that need zoning changes.

Source: Washington County Planning Department

City concerns

The property is within a mile of the Fayetteville and in the city’s planning area. City officials told Washington County they had concerns with compatibility the project would have with the land-use plan and increased traffic, light, noise, storm water runoff and possible pollutants getting into the Mud Creek watershed.

Source: Staff Report

The Quorum Court didn't move on an ordinance amended to deny the project.

At least 30 people attended Thursday's meeting to oppose ratifying a permit for Pat Tobin, who wants to put 10 metal buildings on his 19 acres at 4012 Old Wire Road. Tobin wants to rent the warehouse-like buildings to businesses. The buildings would be between 2,500 to 5,000 square feet, county records show.

Tobin's property is zoned for residential home and agricultural use and requires a permit for alternative uses.

Several justices of the peace said they're concerned about the compatibility of the commercial venue in a mostly residential area. Other concerns included drainage and flooding and the process for renting the property.

The proposal is for unknown renters.

An attorney representing Tobin told justices of the peace there are businesses already in the area. He wouldn't answer other questions after the meeting Thursday.

Tobin has already filed a lawsuit against the Planning Board in Circuit Court, even though the Quorum Court hasn't made a decision on his project. That's unusual in the process because normally appeals are filed in Circuit Court after the Quorum Court ratifies or denies a project, said Justice of the Peace Eva Madison, a Democrat representing northeastern Fayetteville.

Tobin's neighbors and Fayetteville oppose his project, but planning staff recommended approving it with some conditions. That support continued Thursday.

The business model is new to Washington County but affordable commercial space is needed, said Sita Nanthavong, planner. Plans also should improve the area's drainage, she said.

An engineer is expected to attend the next meeting for insight into drainage concerns, she said.

In other business, the Quorum Court decided to draft an ordinance that will let voters decide on whether to implement a 1/8-cent sales tax as part of a plan to preserve green space. The ordinance will be considered next month.

The Quorum Court gave the first reading to an ordinance to repeal language meant to keep elected officials from hiring other county elected officials whose terms ended less than a year ago.

NW News on 07/20/2018

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