ROGERS -- A city committee approved a development request that will add almost 150,000 square feet of office space to the growing area on J.B. Hunt Drive.
Hunt Ventures, a real estate development company headed by Johnelle Hunt, received approval from the Large Scale Development Committee of the Planning Commission on Tuesday night to turn 5 acres in the Pinnacle Hills region into a business complex.
The property at West J.B. Hunt Drive and West Northgate Road would consist of two, six-story buildings and a parking garage totaling almost 150,000 square feet.
Out of the two office buildings, one will be 100,000 square feet, and the other will be 40,000 square feet. Retail space will take up 4,469 square feet of the parking garage.
Hunt Ventures also asked the committee to waive the minimum number of loading docks, four, required on the property.
Having two instead of four loading spaces wouldn't cause a problem for the buildings, said City Planner Eliza Veth.
"They do have well over the required parking spaces planned, so, if they had to block some off, there would not be an issue on loading," Veth said.
All members of the committee were in favor of passing the development request, and Planning Commission Chairman Don Spann said he looked forward to the development.
The project now moves to the City Council for approval.
During the Planning Commission meeting Tuesday, residents living on and near Green Acres Road objected to a rezoning request for development of a convalescent home near their property. A convalescent home is a rehabilitation hospital.
The rezoning was unanimously approved by the commission despite residents' opposition.
Kent Verge and his wife live across from planned development. Verge said he fears the rezoning, which would change the property from an agricultural to multifamily district, would hinder his goal of owning livestock at his home.
Change in a heavily agricultural area can be difficult, but the city shouldn't hold back because of an agricultural zoning, said Bill Watkins, who represented the property owner.
"I understand that you don't want development, but Rogers is growing and this property is surrounded by development," Watkins said.
Residents also raised concerns regarding water contamination and flooding during construction.
"All of the people here mentioned that they have well water and contamination can come from anything. I think this could be a great opportunity for them to have access to city water," Watkins said.
The rezone request now moves to the City Council.
The commission also approved two requests to change a zoning in downtown from a highway commercial to industrial arts district. While the applicants' intentions with the land is unknown, industrial arts zoning is intended to "focus on the goal to establish local artisanal manufacturing, light industrial and businesses close to downtown," according to the staff summary report.
NW News on 06/20/2018