Rogers approves downtown zoning

ROGERS -- The City Council approval zoning changes for its downtown during a meeting Tuesday.

"This will create a playing field for small, medium and large developers," Mayor Greg Hines said. "I am excited. I have had many conversations with interested people who were waiting for this occur."

The zoning changes are a recommendation of a downtown plan approved by the board during its July 14 meeting. The plan was created by Gateway Planning of Texas. The company was hired to develop the plan last year.

Two public hearings were held on the zoning changes. No one spoke for or against the changes during either of the meetings.

The changes condense zoning downtown from eight to four types. City officials have said the changes bring conformity to a process that's scattered and confusing. The four zones proposed include: core mixed use, commercial mixed use, industrial arts and neighborhood transition.

Hines said the changes make it easier for developers to understand the needs of downtown.

"We are not penalizing those who wish to invest," Hines said. "We are doing our best to protect the history and lifestyle the citizens want to have. At every turn possible we are trying to create an environment favorable to business owners, developers and citizens of downtown Rogers."

Robert Parsons of Gateway said the changes are a first step in implementing the plan.

"This process has been smooth for Rogers," Parsons said.

Parsons previously said the changes will not affect current property owners. He said the use of the property will also be grandfathered. He said if a property sells and the same use continues, the new owners will not have to comply to the zoning changes.

An "act of God" event would require the property owner to redevelop with the new zoning, Parsons said. He said this could include a building burning from a lightning strike. He said previous zoning standards in the downtown region would grandfather the use of a property, if this happened.

Chris Griffin, city staff attorney, said the zoning changes will take affect after 60 days. Anyone in the process of developing will be grandfathered into the old zoning if they have already received a building permit.

NW News on 07/29/2015

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