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Rezoning request at Northwest A and Tiger tabled after neighbors cite traffic, slope and drainage concerns
Summary
The Planning Commission voted unanimously to table a request to rezone a 0.72‑acre parcel from R‑1 to DN‑3 at the corner of Northwest A Street and Northwest Tiger Boulevard after neighbors raised concerns about blind spots, steep slopes and stormwater drainage; applicant requested the tabling to return with options.
The Bentonville Planning Commission on Jan. 7 voted to table a rezoning request by the Beyler Family Trust to change a 0.72‑acre parcel at Northwest A Street and Northwest Tiger Boulevard from R‑1 to DN‑3. The applicant asked for the tabling to consider alternatives after extensive public comment; the motion to table carried unanimously.
Neighbors Ariane Grazi and Ken Ehret spoke in opposition. Grazi said the lot’s shape and steep topography make it unsuitable for higher density development, that the site is shown as open space on the future land use map, and that the only existing access is a narrow collector drive that would exacerbate a blind‑spot near the A/Tiger intersection. Grazi also told commissioners the city recently completed a water‑mitigation project on a nearby corner and that groundwater and drainage currently discharge toward the open portion of the property; she said additional impervious surfaces from higher density development could worsen runoff impacts.
Ken Ehret, a nearby owner, said he supports higher density in the neighborhood generally but agreed this particular lot’s topography and access constraints make DN‑3 inappropriate. Applicant representative Will Kelsrom said the parcel is oddly shaped and partially affected by vacated alley and right‑of‑way lines; he argued DN‑3 would provide needed flexibility if the owner pursues redevelopment but said the applicant had no immediate development plan and asked to table to consider a DN‑2 alternative.
Commissioner discussion focused on access and grade constraints, the presence of platted but undeveloped alleys that might offer alternate access, and the fact that DN‑3 zoning is rare in the immediate area. Several commissioners said DN‑3 did not appear feasible for this parcel without significant site engineering or new public improvements.
Action: at the applicant’s request, the commission tabled the rezoning to allow the applicant to revisit zoning options; staff said a continuance would return the item to the commission on Jan. 20 and that re‑notice was not required for that meeting.
Speakers and participants for this agenda item are listed below.
