The Springdale City Council voted 7–1 on June 10, 2025, to overturn the Planning Commission’s denial of two variance requests for an expansion of Herc Rentals at 4269 Wagon Wheel Road, allowing a gravel yard instead of required paving and permitting chain‑link fencing with barbed wire for security.

The variance appeal was presented by city planning staff and representatives for the applicant. Sharon Tromberg, Director of Planning and Community Development, told the council the Planning Commission had approved a related rezoning unanimously at its May meeting but denied two variances — paving and screening — in a 4–4 tie. Tromberg said the pavement variance vote in commission “was a tie 4 to 4 board, so it ultimately failed.”

Attorney Caitlin Gibbs, representing the applicant with Watkins Boyer Gray and Curry, said the expansion will bring larger, tracked equipment to the site and argued gravel is appropriate for such machinery. “This new machinery that's coming in is significantly larger than what they currently have,” Gibbs said. James Gris, identified as a representative with EDA, added that many of the machines are tracked and that’s the reason for requesting gravel: “So, we're looking at the reason for those for the gravel is for that because they are tracked machines,” he said. Engineer James Gertz described the project as a planned expansion of the existing operation to the adjacent lot to support larger equipment.

Opponents, represented in the Planning Commission hearing by an attorney for Mathias properties, raised aesthetics and dust concerns and noted a code limitation that exempts heavy‑equipment yards from paving only up to a half‑acre. The attorney argued the requested gravel area exceeded that half‑acre exception and therefore required a variance. Tromberg confirmed the half‑acre limit and said the applicant’s request exceeded it, which is why a variance was required.

Council members debated whether to consider the two variance requests — paving and screening — separately. Council member Mike Overton moved to overturn the Planning Commission’s denial of both variances together; a second was recorded but the seconder was not identified in the transcript. Speakers in council questioned whether gravel would increase dust for adjacent businesses and whether a privacy fence would erode the security benefits the applicant sought. The applicant said they will install landscape buffering along the east, south and west property lines and that the visibility provided by chain‑link fencing is a deterrent to theft and vandalism.

Sharon Tromberg told the council staff would allow maintenance of gravel but generally discourage expansion of gravel areas; she said code enforcement could ask the property owner to wet down surfaces if dust complaints arise but that private parties also retain the right to pursue remedies in court if nuisances continue. Tromberg reiterated that some nearby properties were nonconforming or had been allowed variances during prior developments.

The council approved the motion to overturn the Planning Commission denial; the transcript records the outcome as “Carry 7 1.” The motion, as passed, authorizes the applicant to proceed with the proposed gravel surfacing and chain‑link fencing with barbed wire (barbed wire was confirmed; razor wire was not requested).

The council noted the applicant must meet the city’s landscape buffering requirements and that staff retained authority to manage code compliance. No subsequent amendments to the approved variances were recorded at the meeting.

Votes at a glance: Motion to overturn Planning Commission denial of variance requests for 4269 Wagon Wheel Road — mover: Council member Mike Overton; second: not specified in transcript; vote: 7 yes, 1 no; outcome: approved.