Commission hears runoff concerns as Alter Trading rezoning to expand recycling facility is approved

The North Little Rock Planning Commission approved a rezoning request from Alter Trading Corporation to expand an existing recycling facility at 4500 West Bethany Road, but commissioners pressed the applicant on stormwater mitigation for an adjacent conservation area.

Why it matters: The property in question borders a conservation area described during the meeting as “basically swamp” by a commissioner; runoff from site expansion and how it will be managed are concerns for environmental protection and neighborhood impacts.

What was proposed and approved: The applicant, Jim Bell of Alter Trading Corporation, sought rezoning from Conservation to I-3 to permit expansion of the recycling facility. Bell told the commission the company plans to construct a retention pond designed by a local engineer to capture runoff from the expanded site. The commission voted to approve the rezoning; the chair directed Bell to coordinate next steps with planning staff.

Discussion and conditions: Commissioner Foster raised concerns about the conservation area and asked whether the company had mitigations in place to prevent damage to the wetlands. Bell responded that design work is underway and that the retention/detention pond is intended to capture runoff. He also said the team is "currently figuring that out in our design right now, but we plan to take care of that through the appropriate codes." The applicant and commissioners discussed that the project will return to design review and that final site plans will address engineering details for runoff control.

Process and timeline noted in the meeting: Commissioners were told design and site-plan submittals will follow; Bell and the applicant team will provide engineered stormwater controls during the design-review process. The commission approved the rezoning on a roll call with all members voting in favor.

What was not decided: The commission approved the rezoning entitlement; it did not approve final engineering details or the construction permit. Bell said the exact treatment approach for stormwater is still being finalized in the design documents and will be reviewed under the appropriate codes during subsequent design-review and site-plan stages.

Next steps: Alter Trading will proceed to the city’s design-review and site-plan process, where engineered stormwater measures and any required permits will be reviewed by staff and the design-review body.