ROGERS -- The City Council voted down rezoning land near Pinnacle Promenade Mall for an apartment complex during its meeting Tuesday.
The rezoning from agricultural to planned unit development-residential multifamily was opposed by several people in attendance. One spoke against it during the meeting. It also failed to receive a recommendation from the Planning Commission on May 19.
The council voted 5-3 against it. Andrew Hatfield, Sam Jeffery, Betsy Reithemeyer, Gary Townzen and Mark Kruger voting against it. Buddy Wright, Marge Wolf and Clay Kendall voted in favor.
Reithemeyer said she had concerns about the zoning change.
"I was at the planning meeting and heard some of the concerns," Reithemeyer said. "There has been a plan for this to be a residential area. I think that should be the use."
Orchards Properties planned to use nine acres southwest of the intersection of South Hampton Place and South Bellview Road to develop an apartment complex.
Bart Hester is representing the company as a real estate agent. The complex would have 144 townhouses with 1,200 to 1,400 square feet each, Hester said. They would have rented for about $1,000 per month, Hester said.
"With that type of rent we will certainly have to maintain the property," Hester said.
The land is near Pinnacle Hills Promenade said Hester, who is also a state senator. He said the complex would have drawn young professionals who want to be near the mall.
Greg Paschal, a nearby landowner, said it doesn't fit the agricultural surrounding area.
"I have contacted a few of you this week," Paschal said. "I would ask that you at least table this."
The city's growth plan shows the property as low-density residential, Paschal said. He said the complex doesn't fit with the plan.
Derrel Smith, senior city planner, said the zoning is for single family homes. He said the plan was updated in 2008.
Residents in the area bought their property believing the land would be low-density residential, Paschal said.
Hester said he worked with neighbors to ease concerns. A community meeting was held for nearby landowners recently, he said.
"I think we have done a good job of trying to be a good neighbor," Hester said.
The complex was going to have a back entrance for emergency vehicles off West Capps Road, he said.
Multiple neighbors voiced concerns about the entrance during an April meeting. The entrance was taken off the plans and moved to Hampton Place, Hester said.
There also will be a buffer between the complex and neighboring proprieties, Hester said. This includes about 200 new trees. Other trees on the property will be salvaged, if possible, he said.
Kruger also voiced concern before the council's vote.
"I don't think this a good transition for the region," Kruger said. "I think we need to stick with our plan."
The Planning Commission didn't recommend the rezoning to the City Council, said Chris Griffin, Rogers staff attorney. It needed a majority vote of the nine-person commission to pass, he said.
The proposal received a 4-1 vote with commissioner Myra Moran voting no. Commissioners Brian Jackson, Don Spann, Tony Noblin and Mark Myers voted yes. Dennis Ferguson, Jim White, Chad Campbell and Mike Shupe were absent.
Hester declined comment following the council meeting.
Paschal said he was happy with the vote but he planned to discuss it with city staff.
"I believe they will be back," Paschal said. "We need to discuss with staff, what is a good plan for our area."
NW News on 05/27/2015