Rogers panel approves residential projects, park redevelopment

NWA Democrat-Gazette/FLIP PUTTHOFF Railyard Park, formerly Frisco Park, in downtown Rogers will be redeveloped after the Planning Commission gave approval Tuesday. The new park is to span both sides of the railroad tracks and will include a new stage.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/FLIP PUTTHOFF Railyard Park, formerly Frisco Park, in downtown Rogers will be redeveloped after the Planning Commission gave approval Tuesday. The new park is to span both sides of the railroad tracks and will include a new stage.

ROGERS -- A developer has the green light to build condominiums across the street from the Rogers Police Department.

The Planning Commission on Tuesday approved a request by Warehouse Properties to allow the project at 2002 S. Dixieland Road.

Planning commission

The commission on Tuesday unanimously approved:

• A request by Daniel Phillips to rezone 4707 W. Oak St. from agricultural to the residential single-family zoning district.

• A Southern Hills Office Building on 1.06 acres at 3614 W. Southern Hills Blvd.

• A request by Dean and Nancy Eisma to rezone 604 N. 3rd St from residential duplex to the neighborhood transition zoning district.

Source: Staff report

Resident Janene Morrison, who said she lived on 21st Street behind the property in question said she and her neighbors were unsure of exactly what the development was going to be like.

"I think we're all pretty much opposed to them being rental properties," she said.

Morrison added the area has many trees and wildlife and requested the wildlife be humanely relocated.

Bill Watkins, a representative for the project, said the condominiums would be single-story and for sale.

"That doesn't mean someone wouldn't buy one and rent it as an investment, but they would be for sale individually," he said.

Watkins said development can come at a cost.

"I don't know what we're going to do about the wildlife. It's not a wildlife preserve," he said.

The property is near single-family homes.

"I think it represents a good transition to the single-family neighborhood," commissioner Don Spann said.

The commission also approved a 101-lot subdivision on about 40 acres on West Shores Avenue west of Interstate 49.

A representative for the project, Geoffery Bates, said before the meeting the developer would start construction within the next six weeks. He said the lots were 85 feet by 135 feet and would be for single-family homes.

The redevelopment of downtown's Railyard Park, formerly Frisco Park, officially has Planning Commission approval.

The new park is to span both sides of the railroad tracks and include a new stage and seating for 800 to 1,000 people, an apple orchard, multiple play areas, open green space, a gathering area, water towers, the farmer's market and event space.

Spokesman Ben Cline said in November 2018 the city would begin construction on the park this spring. The renovation is expected to cost about $6 million, which will come from the $299.5 million bond voters approved in August. The bond issue included $41 million for parks and recreation.

The Walton Family Foundation gave the city an $805,668 grant for design services in 2017, and Ross Barney Architects released their plans in November 2018.

All items passed unanimously with commissioner Mark Myers absent.

NW News on 01/16/2019

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