ROGERS -- Derrel Smith, city senior planner, retired abruptly last week while the Planning Department was in the midst of a zoning debate fueled by criticism from residents.
Smith sent an email notifying city staff of the retirement at 2:12 p.m. April 1.
"Please accept this as my notice that I will be retiring from the City of Rogers immediately," Smith said. "I would like to pick up my personal items at a time that can be arranged."
Smith also notes the Human Resources Department can send any required forms needing his signature electronically via his personnel email or by mail to his home address.
A reason for the retirement isn't mentioned in the email. Smith declined to comment Friday.
Mayor Greg Hines also said Friday he wouldn't comment on the reason for Smith's retirement. Smith is the only person who could answer that question, he said.
"Derrel started with the city in 1994," Hines said. "He was part of the team that ushered in the great growth that has occurred and helped the city navigate that growth. I wish him the very best in his retirement."
A debate about downtown code started after a rezoning of a property at 618 W. Poplar St. in January by the Planning Commission per recommendation of the planning staff.
Following the approval, a group of downtown residents sent numerous emails to city staff stating planning officials didn't follow city code when allowing zero-lot lines for the development. Zero lot lines allow structures to be built close to property lines.
Residents said the property was rezoned to commercial mixed-use. The zoning doesn't allow for zero lot lines when next to residential lots, residents said.
Chris Griffin, Rogers staff attorney, previously said the code is ambiguous. City officials don't plan to stop the developer because of the code and interpretation of it, he said.
The Planning Commission voted against a request by the planning staff to rewrite the code Tuesday. The rewrite clearly identified zero lot lines could be used in the code.
Griffin previously said city staff will interpret the code differently in the future. Developments in commercial-mixed use zones will need a minimum of 10-feet setbacks on the sides when building next to residential lots, he said.
A Freedom of Information Act request sent to the city for Smith's personnel records along with city officials' email correspondences wasn't fully filled on Friday.
"There are some other documents in existence that could potentially be responsive to your request, but we will not be releasing at this time," Thomas Dunlap, human resources director, said Friday. "It is our current belief that, after extensive review of both Attorney General's opinions and case law, the circumstances currently do not warrant their issue."
NW News on 04/09/2016