BENTONVILLE -- The Planning Commission approved plans for a 32-unit townhouse development just southeast of Elm Tree Elementary School at its meeting Tuesday.
The development will be constructed on a long and narrow 2.76 acres at the northeast corner of the intersection of Southwest Second Street and Northwest Elm Tree Road.
The commission unanimously approved the plans without discussion.
Commissioners did, however, express concern about the architectural look of the buildings on the west and east ends as well as the south side during their technical review meeting May 29. A few said they were pleased to see that the updated elevations had more articulation, or design elements, than the initial submission.
Landscaping and vegetation can help make the street frontages of the development more aesthetically pleasing, Commissioner Scott Eccleston said at last week's meeting.
Plans approved Tuesday show landscaping around the four sides of the development, which fronts Southwest Second Street to the south and a single family residential neighborhood to the north.
Two curb cuts off of Southwest Second Street will provide access to the site.
Plans call for each townhouse to have its own garage parking.
Commission action
The Bentonville Planning Commission met Tuesday and approved the following:
• Property line adjustment at 200 N.E. Lakeview Terrace
• Rezoning 2307 S.E. Seventh St. from single family residential to downtown edge
• Rezoning 217 N.W. A St. from single family residential to downtown edge
• Sidewalk waiver at 1203 S.E. 33rd St.
Source: Staff report
The development has "potential to impact traffic in the area," but the existing street network should be able to accommodate any increase in traffic it causes as Southwest Second Street and Elm Tree Road are categorized as arterial streets in the city's master street plan, according to the report.
Arterial streets are intended to carry 6,000 to 35,000 vehicles a day, according to the master street plan.
The city finished improving the intersection of Southwest Second Street and Elm Tree Road last year when it added two turn lanes on the south end of the intersection. The project also included lengthening through-lanes and right-turn lanes to provide more room for cars to stack on the north side of the intersection when school releases.
Elm Tree Elementary is at the northwest corner of the intersection.
Commissioners also approved Tuesday to extend the development plans for Crystal Flats on Northeast John DeShields Boulevard another six months.
The Building Inspection Department is reviewing the plans, and project bidding is underway. Construction is expected to begin this summer, according to Nate Bachelor, CEI Engineering project manager representing the project.
Phase one of the project will include 487 housing units, more than 15,000 square feet of commercial building space and more than 800 parking spaces, according to meeting documents.
The project was heavily debated by community members when plans went before the Planning Commission last year.
NW News on 06/06/2018
