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Board approves 0.82-foot side-setback variance for Packaging Specialties loading dock near White River Park
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Summary
The Board of Adjustments approved a small (0.82-foot) side-setback variance to allow Packaging Specialties to construct an enclosed loading dock adjacent to park amenities at 1755 South Armstrong Avenue, contingent on staff-recommended conditions for materials/visual treatment. Staff had recommended denial citing lack of clear site-specific hardship.
FAYETTEVILLE — Fayetteville’s Board of Adjustments voted unanimously on Nov. 3 to approve a variance allowing Packaging Specialties to build a loading-dock addition that will leave roughly 0.82 feet between the new dock and adjacent park property at 1755 South Armstrong Avenue. Approval included staff‑recommended conditions requiring visual mitigation of facades that face the park amenities.
City planning staff described the site as a 29,700‑square‑foot warehouse in the I‑2 General Industrial district and said the proposed enclosed loading dock encroaches substantially into the 25‑foot side setback. "This proposal is 24.18 feet into that setback, so they would be only 0.82 feet from that property line," staff said in presenting the item; staff said it found no clear site‑specific hardship and recommended denial.
Applicant representative Eric Bartels of McCollum Consulting said operational constraints make the southern drive and dock the only feasible solution for very large equipment deliveries and for addressing chronic drainage problems at an existing dock. Bartels described large fixed equipment and exterior utilities that are costly or impractical to relocate and said the enclosed dock is needed to maintain negative pressure in the facility and contain odors and sensitive printing materials: "...they can't let any air or gases from inside the facility leave the facility without first being treated," Bartels said.
Bartels and staff said the loading-dock and drive arrangement were contemplated as part of a council-approved lease and park agreement (council resolution 174-25). Parks staff confirmed the phase‑1 loading‑dock plans were substantially compliant with the shared agreement. The applicant also described a phased drainage solution including a French drain to reduce flooding in the facility.
Board members raised fire‑access and turnaround questions but noted the lease creates a 20‑year access arrangement (renewable in 5‑year increments) and that the driveway separation provides a practical buffer between the dock drive and park amenities. After discussion, commissioners voted to approve the variance with staff conditions. The recorded vote was Yes from Keyes, Young, Norman, Fox and Atkins Wery.
What happens next: the applicant may proceed with phased construction and parallel drainage improvements, subject to the conditions the board attached; Parks and planning staff will continue to review final construction and maintenance arrangements.
