Raising the gates : A developer plans to break ground in six months on Bentonville’s first gated community.
Posted on Wednesday, September 3, 2008
BENTONVILLE - There was very little discussion.
Bentonville planning commissioners simply voiced consecutive 5-0 votes Tuesday night to set the stage for Bentonville's first gated community.
According to developer Larry Vandevior of Vancon LLC, ground will be broken on the third phase of Creekstone Estates, a 27-lot gated community just east of U. S. Highway 71 and Benton County Road 40, in about six months. Creekstone Estates will be accessed through the first two completed phases of the development, but the third phase - at the highest point of the property - will be the only gated section.
"It's the first and, for some period of time, it will probably remain the only," Vandevior said. "We're going to test the market a little bit, but I believe there's a demand for something like this here."
Until earlier this year, the city of Bentonville had an ordinance that, unlike neighboring Rogers, all but prohibited gated communities. That ordinance was reviewed several months ago, and the Planning Commission even considered a new ordinance allowing gated communities. In the end, Bentonville's focus on connectivity won out, and the ordinance against such developments remained - but with three exceptions.
As it stands today, the only way a subdivision can be gated within the city limits of Bentonville is if it has no connections to collector or major arterial streets, features a rolling topography with slopes of 17 percent or more, and does not conflict with developed property around it.
In most cases, it would be difficult to meet all three of those criteria. The 27-lot, third phase of Creekstone Estates happens to be the exception.
With that, the Planning Commission unanimously approved a rezoning request and preliminary plat to set Bentonville's first gated community into motion.
"Before any of Creekstone had begun, I wanted to gate it," Vandevior said," but it wasn't allowed at the time. So when the city had its discussions about allowing gated communities across the city, I had a couple of concerns. I spoke out. I just couldn't understand what the reason would be for a city to completely change its stance like that."
It didn't. But the exceptions just so happened to match the layout and plans for Creekstone Estates.
Lot sizes within the gated portion of Creekstone Estates will average 1. 25 acres.
The following items were also on the agenda • The Planning Commission voted 5-0 to rezone 407 S. W. A St. from general commercial (C-2 ) to general commercial (C-3 ). The property is currently an iron shop on the downtown commercial corridor.
• The commission voted 5-0 to approve a large-scale-development plan for a Kum and Go gas station and convenience store near the northeast corner of Arkansas Highway 12 and Greenhouse Road. There would be 10 fueling stations and a 3, 391-square-foot convenience store.
• The commission voted 5-0 to approve a pair of largescale-development plans for retail centers within the Fountain Plaza property near McAlister's on Southeast Walton Boulevard. One building would cover 23, 000 square feet and provide space for 12 tenants, while the other would cover 37, 800 square feet with space for 20 tenants.
FEEDBACK:
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
