SPRINGDALE -- "Welcome to Springdale," City Council member Kathy Jaycox told the city's newest residents Tuesday night.
The council voted 7 -0 to annex about 24 acres into the city. Five "islands" were added to the city, each near the intersection of West Miller Road and Arkansas 112 in the northwest quadrant of the city. Each parcel lies in rural Benton County but is surrounded by land in Springdale.
David Simpson spoke to the council, representing homeowners in the Spring Ridge subdivision as president of the property owners association. The 59-lot neighborhood was already in the city, but abuts 480 yards of the annexed land and lies within 1/10 of a mile from most of the others, he said.
Simpson told the council the association members supported the incorporation, feeling the inclusion of the land into Springdale will help preserve the character and value of the homes in the subdivision.
No property owners spoke at the meeting, but Cate said only two of the properties held houses.
Some of the land has been cleared for the construction of eight billboards along Arkansas 112, Simpson said. Because the land wasn't part of any municipality, no permits or site plan reviews were required.
"We're just stuck with them," Council member Jim Reed said of the billboards. Reed represents the district in which the land lies. "We don't want other things to go on on that land that the city wouldn't allow. We just want some say."
Cate said the city will begin serving the annexed land immediately. The information will be shared with the city's geographic information systems and Police and Fire departments, so their staffs can update the maps of service areas.
"We can help these people by lowering their home owners' insurance thanks to Springdale's Class 1 fire rating," Reed said. "And their water and trash bills should also lower once they are served by the city's contract."
In 2009, the city annexed about 100 similar islands with the same intention, Mayor Doug Sprouse explained. "It's just easier for us to provide them services than it is for the county."
State law provides if a piece of land is surrounded by a city, it can be annexed by city ordinance, explained City Attorney Ernest Cate. The thinking is these pieces become part of the city with the "natural growth" of the city, he said.
NW News on 11/14/2018