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Springdale council approves two Ford Avenue Flats rezonings for 60% AMI affordable units
Summary
The city council unanimously approved two separate rezonings to enable the Ford Avenue Flats affordable multifamily developments, each reserved for households earning up to 60% of area median income; emergency clauses were adopted.
Springdale — The Springdale City Council on Sept. 23 unanimously approved two rezonings for the Ford Avenue Flats projects, a joint development by Mercy Housing and Community Development Northwest Arkansas that will reserve all units for households earning up to 60% of area median income. The council also adopted emergency clauses for both ordinances, 8-0.
Sharon Traumberg, director of planning and community development, told the council the project is a “joint effort between Mercy Housing and Community Development Northwest Arkansas” and that “all these units will be reserved for households that are earning up to 60% of the AMI of that area.” The council introduced two separate ordinances because the two sites are nearby but not contiguous; the titles in the packet describe Ford Avenue Flats South (rezoning R-25-41) and Ford Avenue Flats North (rezoning R-25-42).
Why it matters: the rezonings change zoning classifications to planned unit development to permit the proposed multifamily affordable housing. Traumberg said staff and developers worked over several months on building placement, amenities and open space to fit the sites and meet development standards.
What the council did: A council member moved to adopt both ordinances and a second was recorded; the council then voted to adopt each ordinance and the emergency clauses. The clerk recorded the final outcome as “both ordinances and emergency clauses carry 8-0.” No public opposition was raised at the meeting.
Details and constraints: Traumberg said the two parcels are not contiguous and therefore were processed as two ordinances. The packet included renderings and a plan showing a future north–south collector alignment along the west side of one site; engineering staff recommended dedicating the right-of-way but not building the collector now. The council later approved a waiver request tied to that dedication (see separate article on waivers).
Next steps: With zoning and emergency clauses approved, developers may proceed with detailed site and building permits consistent with the planned unit development approvals and applicable building codes.
