FAYETTEVILLE -- Residents of the Bethel Blacktop Road area near Farmington are asking Washington County's Quorum Court to block a sports training business from opening in the area.
The Planning Board approved a permit for Elevate Elite Training Academy on about two acres of a 25-acre parcel. Manuel and Clarice Whitmore told county planners they want to build an indoor gym for youth baseball and basketball team training and tournaments.
Property in Washington County outside cities is zoned for agricultural or single-family residential use, and any other use requires a permit approved by the board and Quorum Court.
The project was tabled in January after the board questioned the adequacy of the parking planned for the facility. The Whitmores brought back plans showing they would buy land to use for parking. They said they had an agreement with a nearby business to allow overflow parking and run a shuttle from there to the training facility.
Neighbors objected to the project, citing the residential character of the area and concern with added traffic from tournaments and other activities on what they describe as a narrow street with no sidewalks or room to park on the roadside. The neighbors said allowing a business into the area will lower the value of their homes.
The county received 21 comments supporting and opposing the plan. Supporters pointed to the need for affordable supervised activities for area youth and the benefits of their participation in sports. Opponents said a residential area isn't suitable for a commercial venture. A petition opposing the plan, with 91 signatures, was submitted to the county.
The Planning Board voted in favor of the permit at its Feb. 14 meeting, with five members voting for it and none against. Two members were absent. Nathan Crouch, planning director, said the appeal process gives anyone interested in a project 30 days to appeal the board decision to the Quorum Court.
Ellis and Peggy Patterson of 13042 Bethel Blacktop Road, across the street from the site, filed a petition with the county Feb. 28 repeating concern about the project.
Crouch said the county will notify property owners within 300 feet of the site, and the appeal will be on the agenda for the Quorum Court's April 18 meeting.
Sam Duncan is justice of the peace for District 7, which includes the property. Duncan said he visited the site and met with neighbors. Duncan, who is in his first term, said he has been researching planning regulations and will listen to the appeal presentation.
"It's hard because it's not just black and white," Duncan said. "Some of it is subjective. There are questions about safety, property values and does something fit in with the surrounding property."
NW News on 03/21/2019