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Benton housing requests gain OK |
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Wednesday, 24 June 2009 |
Benton City Council approved two rezoning requests that will allow for multi-family housing in the city.
One of the locations is Alcoa Road property owned by Ted Carter. The site will be used for Birch Tree Communities housing.
Herman Harley, representing the Birch Tree program, attended the meeting to answer any questions about the construction project, but none were asked.
No objections were raised to the project, which was approved by nine affirmative votes. The only “no” vote was recorded because of the absence of Alderman Brad Moore.
The other rezoning was for Lillian Street property owned by Ralph Shelnutt.
The ordinance on the zoning change was approved by a 6-4 vote, with Aldermen Bill Donnor, Steve Lee and Jerry Ponder opposing it and an additional “no” vote caused by Moore’s absence.
Donnor said he was opposing the zoning change because he had received calls from Ward 3 residents who do not favor additional multi-family housing in that area.
“They couldn’t be here tonight because of other commitments and I’m representing them,” Donnor said.
Ponder said he believes all of the criteria have been met, but thought the individuals should have an opportunity to state their objections publicly.
Because the ordinance was not approved with an emergency clause, it becomes effective in 90 days, Mayor Rick Holland said.
No specific plans for a multi-family housing project have been presented to the city, according to Jim Towe, supervisor in the community development department.
Both rezoning requests previously received approval from the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission.
George D. “Bucky” Ellis, chairman of the commission, said no objections were raised.
In another matter, the council received an update on drainage projects from Alderman Greg White, who chairs the Drainage Committee.
White noted that spending on four projects leaves a balance of $333,000 out of the original $500,000 set aside for such work. He said studies show that three other proposed projects will require more than $300,000 to complete.
Alderman Doug Stracener, a member of the Advertising and Promotion Commission, said the commission’s bank balance at the end of May was $728,614 and said year-to-date collections are up 9 percent.
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Razorbacks
