LOWELL -- The Lowell Planning Commission learned recommendations to adopt zoning and drainage regulation changes related to the Cave Springs Karst Study could come before them in upcoming months.
Tom Hopper, Crafton Tull board chairman, explained the study to the commission Monday.
The study was released by the Ozark Underground Laboratory in July. The study said certain types of development in some areas affect a threatened population of blind Ozark cavefish.
Development can continue even in areas that most affect the fish, Hopper said. He recommended development in these areas follow "best management practices."
The practices control how water drains from the area, Hopper said. He said this could mean retention ponds or certain types of green space is needed.
Hopper recommended Lowell adopt a drainage manual similar to one used by Rogers. He said the existing manual used by Rogers can be an outline for all the cities affected by the study. This includes Lowell, Rogers, Cave Springs and Springdale.
"We didn't want to reinvent the wheel," Hopper said. "We wanted something already in place."
Existing property could be grandfathered in, Hopper said. It also would only affect development on an acre or more.
Some of the drainage recommendations would apply to all future development in Lowell, Hopper said. He said other recommendations would apply specifically to areas most affecting the fish.
It is important to make these changes while the fish is considered threatened, Hopper said. He said all development would be required to stop if the fish reaches an endangered status.
Hopper also recommended that certain areas in Lowell be rezoned. He said there are some areas that highly affect the fish population near Arkansas 264. He said these areas are zoned commercial.
A different type of commercial zoning could be needed for these areas, Hopper said. He said this zoning would eliminate development that could be more harmful to the fish population than others. This could include gas stations or a sewer management facility, he said.
Kris Sullivan, Rogers planning director, said her department plans to bring forward recommendations to the commission by the beginning of 2016.
The planning department will need to rework the Rogers manual, Sullivan said. She said it also could consist of redeveloping the city's planning map.
'We have already been working and meeting with officials," Sullivan said.
James Milner, planning commissioner, said he wasn't sure this could be done by the end of the year. He said it is possible numerous public hearings would be needed.
"I assure you there will be a lot of landowners who are going to need some time to understand this," Milner said.
Sullivan said Hopper also will give a presentation on the study to the Lowell City Council during a meeting on Dec. 15. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 216 N. Lincoln St.
NW News on 11/17/2015