ROGERS -- A group of residents is concerned about a proposed multifamily complex for developmentally disabled adults near the neighborhood.
Bost Inc. plans to build an 11-unit complex on 2 acres it owns at the intersection of 45th and Oak streets. The Arkansas nonprofit group provides services to people who are disabled, including housing for adults.
Engineers designing the complex went before the city's Large Scale Development Committee on Tuesday. The committee tabled approving the plat because of drainage concerns, said Derrel Smith, city planner.
The company was asked to amend the plans and return to the next committee meeting April 7, Smith said. If approved by the committee, the proposal would go before the Planning Commission the same night. It wouldn't need City Council approval.
About 15 residents attended the meeting Tuesday to oppose the complex. Mike McLemore, a resident, spoke for the group.
"We are not opposed to developmentally disabled people. It has nothing to do with that," McLemore said. "We would oppose it no matter who it is. It is the fact that it is a multi-unit complex. There are so many other places in the city where you can build something like that."
McLemore said his neighborhood and surrounding property was unincorporated before being annexed into the city in 2000. A large portion of land around the neighborhood starting selling at the time, spurring a string of rezonings, he said.
The two acres owned by Bost was once zoned for agricultural use, McLemore said. It was zoned residential-office in 2007 when the Northwest Arkansas Board of Realtors purchased it, he said.
"When the land was changed to [residential-office zoning,] there was not anyone out here that objected to that," McLemore said.
McLemore said his neighbors thought the Realtors' board was building an office on the site. No one realized a multifamily complex could be built within that zoning, he said.
"It will be a home where people eventually leave and new people will come," McLemore said. "Homes in this neighborhood are permanent residences."
Kent Jones, Bost executive director, said the group chose the property because it was zoned appropriately for the use planned.
"We abide by local requirements," Jones said. "We do understand the concerns."
Jones said the company has similar facilities in Fort Smith, Van Buren and Barling.
Housing for disabled adults is limited in the state, Jones said. Families have expressed a need for housing in Northwest Arkansas, he said.
The complex would provide long-term living accommodations for people who have difficulty living alone, he said. This could include people who are epileptic, autistic or physically disabled, he said.
"Some people have staff 24-7 and some just have it a couple hours a day," Jones said. "Some people are employed. Some are pretty independent and maybe just need help with cooking or grocery shopping."
Jones said fundraising events will be held to pay for the construction of the facility. It could be a few years before it's built, he said.
NW News on 03/19/2015