Council approves rezoning on Levine Avenue to MF‑4 after overturning planning commission denial

SPRINGDALE, Ark. — The Springdale City Council voted to adopt an ordinance rezoning a 5.62‑acre parcel at 4617 Levine Avenue to low‑medium density multifamily residential (MF‑4), overturning the planning commission’s denial.

Council’s action followed a prior appeal and public comment from nearby residents objecting to the rezoning. At the previous council meeting, council voted 5‑2 to overturn planning commission’s denial and approved rezoning with two 250‑foot strips of MF‑4 designated as buffer. The ordinance considered Tuesday amends ordinance number 3307 and received a council vote to adopt that carried 7‑1. The council then voted to adopt the emergency clause associated with the ordinance; that vote carried 8‑0.

Sharon Tromberg, director of planning and community development, summarized the requested ordinance amendment and the background of the appeal. She told council the planning commission had recommended denial and that several nearby residents had spoken in opposition at the earlier meeting.

The ordinance title identifies the change as an amendment to the city’s zoning ordinance (ordinance number 3307) to rezone the listed property to MF‑4 and declares an emergency for immediate effect.

Discussion and vote: The council took public comment at prior hearings and addressed buffering conditions built into the approved change. A motion to pass the ordinance carried 7‑1; the council then approved the emergency clause allowing the ordinance to take effect immediately with an 8‑0 vote.

Implications: The ordinance rezones the site to allow multifamily development consistent with MF‑4 standards and includes the council‑approved buffer strips. The planning commission’s recommendation for denial remains part of the record; council’s action was a legislative override of that recommendation.

— Reporting for Springdale City Council meeting, Sept. 9, 2025