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Planning Commission recommends three rezonings — university and commercial parcels advance to board
Summary
The Siloam Springs Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of three rezoning requests on Aug. 12, 2025: RZ25-07 for university student housing at 103 South Holly Street, and RZ2508 and RZ2509 for commercial rezonings along North Simon Drive and North Progress Avenue. All items will be considered by the board on Sept. 2, 2025.
The Siloam Springs Planning Commission voted unanimously on Aug. 12 to forward three rezoning proposals to the city board with recommendations for approval.
Ben Rhodess, senior planner, described RZ25-07 as a request to rezone three lots at 103 South Holly Street (lots 6–8 of the Black Whale subdivision; 1.77 acres) from R2 (single-family residential) to GI (institutional). Rhodess said the university recently purchased the property and intends to use it for student housing, likely within the existing single-family structure. Staff told commissioners the request conforms with the city’s future land use map and meets minimum GI zone requirements. With no public comments, a motion to recommend approval passed on a unanimous roll-call vote (T. Williams; Sally; McKini; Sutton; Renard; K. Williams — all yes). RZ25-07 will go to the board on Sept. 2, 2025.
Rhodes also presented RZ2508, a rezoning and map-amendment request affecting the 400–500 block of North Simon Drive: two lots totaling about 22.38 acres would change from A1 (agricultural) to C2 (roadway commercial). Staff said a future land use map amendment from mixed-use to regional commercial is required and recommended because surrounding uses include large-format retail and regional commercial development. Commissioners voted to forward RZ2508 to the board with a recommendation for approval (roll-call unanimous: Sally; McKini; Sutton; Renard; K. Williams; T. Williams — all yes). The item is scheduled for board review on Sept. 2, 2025.
Planner Kyle Belt presented RZ2509 for the 600 block of North Progress Avenue: tract 5 of the Lowe’s of Siloam Springs subdivision (6.24 acres) is proposed to be rezoned from A1 to C2. Staff noted the site is vacant, the corridor functions as an emerging commercial and institutional area, and a future land use map amendment will be needed to align the parcel’s designation with C2 zoning. Commissioners recommended approval by unanimous roll call (Sutton; Renard; K. Williams; T. Williams; Sally; McKenna — all yes). The request will be forwarded to the board for consideration.
The commission recorded no public opposition during these agenda items. Each rezoning was presented as consistent with staff analysis and the city’s land-use guidance; formal review and final decisions will occur at upcoming board meetings.
