Storage facility granted variances; commission recommends denial of street‑improvement waiver

The Planning Commission approved variances for Legacy Venture Storage and granted large‑scale approval subject to staff comments, but rejected the applicant’s request to waive street‑improvement requirements.

Why it matters: The storage facility occupies a site with steep topography and multiple abutting frontages; staff told the commission the developer must bring abutting streets (Thompson, Black Oak, Dixon) up to City of Springdale standards and provide sidewalks along the right‑of‑way unless a waiver is granted.

Staff comments: Planning and engineering staff outlined several outstanding items. These included labeling and square‑footage corrections on the civil sheets, showing commercial driveway details and ensuring aprons are concrete to the right‑of‑way, demonstrating how sewers would be extended across Black Oak/Dixon (depth and trenching method), showing irrigation/hose‑bib locations for landscaping, providing a lighting plan with full‑cutoff shields and at least 1 foot‑candle in parking and pedestrian areas, and adding foundation landscaping or a variance for areas where pavement abuts buildings. A waiver for sidewalks along Thompson and Dixon was requested by the developer; staff asked for an approved ARDOT permit prior to construction.

Commission action: Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the variances and the large‑scale motion subject to staff comments (8–0). On the waiver of street improvements, the commission voted to recommend denial of the waiver to City Council (motion to deny; second by Commissioner Theresa Reynolds). The commission asked staff to prepare a resolution recommending denial for the council meeting.

Ending: Staff will prepare the resolution recommending denial of the waiver to City Council and the applicant must address the enumerated civil and landscaping corrections before permits proceed.