The Fort Smith Planning Commission on Oct. 13 approved a rezoning and companion development plan for a shopping center at 8716 Rogers Avenue that will allow two retail buildings (approximately 8,800 square feet each) and a diagonal site drive connecting Rogers Avenue with South 80 Seventh Street.

The applicant, Goodwin Engineering LLC on behalf of the Goodwin Family Trust, requested rezoning of a roughly 1.37‑acre area currently zoned RSD‑2 (residential duplex) to C‑2 (commercial light) to better match adjacent commercial zoning along Rogers Avenue. Staff said the requested rezoning conforms to the master land use plan's general commercial designation and recommended approval.

The development plan includes underground stormwater detention vaults adjacent to Rogers Avenue to manage runoff and meter discharge at predevelopment rates, a retaining wall up to 4–6 feet on the south boundary with a screen privacy fence atop the wall, and proposed sidewalks along Rogers Avenue and the east side of South 80 Seventh Street as part of the development phase. Staff also noted the applicant had held a neighborhood meeting Oct. 2 and eight neighboring property owners attended and raised concerns about traffic on South 80 Seventh Street, allowable uses, signage, stormwater, sewer extension and hours of operation for food uses; Murata Fort Smith (assisted living facility) contacted staff with concerns about driveway access during construction.

Staff recommended approval of both the rezoning and development plan with conditions: construction must comply with the submitted development plan; platting required prior to occupancy and additional right‑of‑way or easements may be required at plat review; sidewalks must be installed on the east side of South 80 Seventh Street and along Rogers Avenue for the project phase; and required landscaping must have automatic irrigation. The development plan vote passed 6‑0 (two commissioners had recused/left the meeting) and the rezoning motion was recorded as approved with a majority.

Next steps: platting and coordination with Arkansas Department of Transportation (Rogers Avenue is a state highway) and city engineering will be required before final permits are issued.