BENTONVILLE — The Bentonville Planning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to establish a clearer framework for the continued development of the downtown area.

The Planning Commission accepted city staff’s recommendation for two zoning districts within the downtown area. The first designed as the “downtown core” and the other as the “downtown edge.”

“We’ve essentially taken what we have on the Square and are extending it down Southwest A Street to (Arkansas) 102,” Shelli Rushing, planning services manager, said of the designated downtown core.

The downtown core zone is envisioned as maintaining the character and design elements prominent on the square, such as building facades butting up against the sidewalk, the promotion of retail and entertainment venues, and pedestrian connectivity established via wider sidewalks and more.

“Right now, you have a lot of varying setbacks and uses up and down Southwest A Street,” Rushing said. “We’re not saying anything that doesn’t conform today has to change, but establishes a framework for consistent redevelopment as it takes place.”

The downtown edge zone, which extends just outside the square, along parts of South Main Street and in the direction of Wal-Mart’s Home Office, serves as an area of transition between the retail core of the heart of downtown and the lower density residential neighborhoods on the outskirts of downtown.

“I’m certain we have a good framework here,” said Troy Galloway, community development director. “We’re o◊to a good start, but by no means is it a perfect document. I’m sure we’ll come across some situations that cause us to revisit and possibly modify the framework.”

“It’s a more organized approach,” Rushing said. “And I think it makes it easier on developers because we have a comprehensive zone.”

The following were also approved:

! Lot split for 109 N.W. 2nd St. and 118 W. Central Ave.;

! Property line adjustment for 503 S.W. “D” St. (Gilmore Park);

! Property line adjustment for 300 N.E. Third St. (openair skate park);

! Final plat for development at Northwest “D” and Fourth streets;

! Conditional-use permit for a co◊ee house ministry at 308 W. Central Ave., run by First United Methodist Church.

News, Pages 1 on 11/04/2009

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