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Wednesday, April 30, 2008
New ditch quickly filled with water seeping from adjacent black soil near S. Locust Street
Please click on image to enlarge.
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If you want to see the black, absorbent wetland soil we talk about, visit 786 S. School Ave., the construction site north of Tire Tracks, NOW!
Please click on images to enlarge photos of giant willow trees being destroyed and black hydric soil being removed from the wetland prairie site on which an Advance Auto Parts is to be built.
Why did Jeff Koenig drop out of mayoral race? Read NWA Times for the answer.
PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE.
Koenig drops mayoral bid
Northwest Arkansas Times
Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Jeff Koenig has ended his candidacy to become Fayetteville’s mayor due to a non-life-threatening, health-related issue, according to a statement issued Tuesday from his campaign.
Koenig’s assistant campaign manager, Katherine Skordal, confirmed the decision. She said Koenig was out of town Tuesday and unavailable for comment.
In the release, Koenig said he decided not to seek office at this time after consulting with his doctor, and instead will concentrate on recovering.
The statement did not provide any details about the ailment that prompted Koenig's decision.
Read tomorrow's Northwest Arkansas Times for all the details on this story!
Or read The Morning News
Morning news says Koenig abandons race to be Fayetteville mayor
Koenig drops mayoral bid
Northwest Arkansas Times
Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Jeff Koenig has ended his candidacy to become Fayetteville’s mayor due to a non-life-threatening, health-related issue, according to a statement issued Tuesday from his campaign.
Koenig’s assistant campaign manager, Katherine Skordal, confirmed the decision. She said Koenig was out of town Tuesday and unavailable for comment.
In the release, Koenig said he decided not to seek office at this time after consulting with his doctor, and instead will concentrate on recovering.
The statement did not provide any details about the ailment that prompted Koenig's decision.
Read tomorrow's Northwest Arkansas Times for all the details on this story!
Or read The Morning News
Morning news says Koenig abandons race to be Fayetteville mayor
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Would this rabbit on the wetland adjacent to Advance Auto Parts on Tuesday have voted to have his home thicket cleared and burned?
Wildlife aren't considered in city planning regulations — except that animal control might come trap a wild thing you don't want in your yard. But destroying wildlife habitat isn't mentioned in any city ordinance.
And fighting global warming or trying to protect air by not burning aren't mentioned in any city ordinance.
Please click on Image to ENLARGE.
And fighting global warming or trying to protect air by not burning aren't mentioned in any city ordinance.
Please click on Image to ENLARGE.
Stone house on South School Avenue being dismantled; trees burning on April 29, 2008
Please click on images to ENLARGE.
Advance Auto Parts burning huge trees, destroying three sturdy houses, filling wetland
PLEASE click on Images to ENLARGE.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Dumetella carolinensis near willow tree on wetland at Advance Auto Parts' construction site
Please click on image to ENLARGE photo of gray catbird near big willow tree on Advance Auto Parts Wetland.
Click Image to enlarge photo of bend where avenue turns east to become a block of West Ninth Street south of Tire Tracks.
Water soaks in on this wetland site. It is a natural rain garden. The more of the soil and vegetation preserved, the less runoff to the Spout Spring Branch will increase. Unfortunately, an auto-part store will require a significant amount of paved parking. It would be a good place to use so-called "grass-paving" methods. Even if the city Planning Commission doesn't require such design, it isn't too late for the developers to voluntarily make the move. Sorry I didn't attend the meetings and find out exactly how the stormwater on the site will be managed. So many projects, so little time.
Currently, the ditch running along the east side of the lot still has a bit of vegetation to slow the flow but it is a straight ditch that replaced a meandering branch and has been washed out a lot this winter and spring. Water flows from the north and joins Spout Spring Branch near the center western edge of Walker Park. New construction on a former wetland site just north of the Walgreen store has increased the speed of runoff down a part of that ditch (also known as a grassy swale) that has been piped underground, moving it to the area behind the new part store more rapidly.
Years ago when the area was developed, there were no environmental regulations to prevent dredging and filling such wetland. Today, there are excellent rules. However, the difference between the way people built houses and businesses ONLY on the high ground back then and the way they now replace the moist soil with rocky material dug out of area mountains may have more to do with the availability of giant earth-moving machinery and overpopulation and the desire to maximize profit than with the existence of rules that acknowledge the importance of wetland. Exemptions and exceptions and "mitigation" allow things the people who wrote the rules were trying to prevent.
Maybe the old-timers would have drained, dredged and filled if their machinery hadn't been limited to what a mule could pull or how much a strong man could shovel in a day. Fayetteville has its pockets of wetland available to destroy now because it was impractical to destroy wetland then.
I don't think anyone spoke against this relatively large-scale development when it went to the planning commission. But many people are shocked when they learn that the houses, particularly the native-stone house, are to be razed.
And now there will be three auto-part stores within a few blocks between Fourth Street at Archibald Yell and Ninth Street along the U.S. 71 B route. Will the competition keep part prices from rising?
What is certain is that filling and paving wetland inevitably leads to the water rising downstream.
Click Image to enlarge photo of bend where avenue turns east to become a block of West Ninth Street south of Tire Tracks.
Water soaks in on this wetland site. It is a natural rain garden. The more of the soil and vegetation preserved, the less runoff to the Spout Spring Branch will increase. Unfortunately, an auto-part store will require a significant amount of paved parking. It would be a good place to use so-called "grass-paving" methods. Even if the city Planning Commission doesn't require such design, it isn't too late for the developers to voluntarily make the move. Sorry I didn't attend the meetings and find out exactly how the stormwater on the site will be managed. So many projects, so little time.
Currently, the ditch running along the east side of the lot still has a bit of vegetation to slow the flow but it is a straight ditch that replaced a meandering branch and has been washed out a lot this winter and spring. Water flows from the north and joins Spout Spring Branch near the center western edge of Walker Park. New construction on a former wetland site just north of the Walgreen store has increased the speed of runoff down a part of that ditch (also known as a grassy swale) that has been piped underground, moving it to the area behind the new part store more rapidly.
Years ago when the area was developed, there were no environmental regulations to prevent dredging and filling such wetland. Today, there are excellent rules. However, the difference between the way people built houses and businesses ONLY on the high ground back then and the way they now replace the moist soil with rocky material dug out of area mountains may have more to do with the availability of giant earth-moving machinery and overpopulation and the desire to maximize profit than with the existence of rules that acknowledge the importance of wetland. Exemptions and exceptions and "mitigation" allow things the people who wrote the rules were trying to prevent.
Maybe the old-timers would have drained, dredged and filled if their machinery hadn't been limited to what a mule could pull or how much a strong man could shovel in a day. Fayetteville has its pockets of wetland available to destroy now because it was impractical to destroy wetland then.
I don't think anyone spoke against this relatively large-scale development when it went to the planning commission. But many people are shocked when they learn that the houses, particularly the native-stone house, are to be razed.
And now there will be three auto-part stores within a few blocks between Fourth Street at Archibald Yell and Ninth Street along the U.S. 71 B route. Will the competition keep part prices from rising?
What is certain is that filling and paving wetland inevitably leads to the water rising downstream.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Native stone house on South School Ave. demolition beginning for Advance Auto Parts
Please click on image to enlarge photo of house on South School Avenue and huge willow trees growing in wetland.
Please click on image to ENLARGE view of house and giant trees and wetland.
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Please click on image to ENLARGE view of house and giant trees and wetland.
Image 2540
Benton County residents get taste of Town Branch residents' pain
Two stories in today's newspapers highlight flooding problems in Northwest Arkansas.
Old Internet item questioned Aspen Ridge plan and questions nearly all remain unanswered as Hill Place plan looms on Fayetteville City Council agenda.
Neighbors oppose Hill Place plan after Aspen Ridge Debacle
Development raises flood levels, Fema documentation raises insurance cost for homeowners
Questions raised in December 2004 remain unanswered as approval of new plan for Town Branch Swamp up for Fayetteville City Council vote
Old Internet item questioned Aspen Ridge plan and questions nearly all remain unanswered as Hill Place plan looms on Fayetteville City Council agenda.
Neighbors oppose Hill Place plan after Aspen Ridge Debacle
Development raises flood levels, Fema documentation raises insurance cost for homeowners
Questions raised in December 2004 remain unanswered as approval of new plan for Town Branch Swamp up for Fayetteville City Council vote
She had a dream of teaching small children and she loved nature: Mary Guthery, south Fayetteville resident, killed by train, reports The Morning News
Ever since last night, my thoughts have gone back to conversations with this wonderful, truly Christian and totally altruistic woman from south Fayetteville. I hope to share a few few things I know about her life. I just can't do it today.
Please click on image to ENLARGE photo of Mary Guthery on World Peace Wetland Prairie on October 22, 2006.
Accident results in fatality
Mary Guthery had a dream until the train hit her in Greenland on Saturday morning
Woman Dies in Car, Train Collision
Last updated Saturday, April 26, 2008 5:17 PM CDT in News
By Brandon Harris
Special to The Morning News
Related Photos
GREENLAND - A Fayetteville woman was killed Saturday morning when her vehicle was struck by a train on West Wilson Street in Greenland.
Mary Lee Guthery, 81, of 1717 S. Stirman Ave. in Fayetteville was eastbound across the railroad tracks when a southbound Arkansas & Missouri Railroad passenger train struck her on the vehicle's driver's side just after 9 a.m.
Guthery, the only occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene, Greenland Police Chief Gary Ricker said.
All content © The Morning News. Unauthorized distribution prohibited.
Please click on image to ENLARGE photo of Mary Guthery on World Peace Wetland Prairie on October 22, 2006.
Accident results in fatality
Mary Guthery had a dream until the train hit her in Greenland on Saturday morning
Woman Dies in Car, Train Collision
Last updated Saturday, April 26, 2008 5:17 PM CDT in News
By Brandon Harris
Special to The Morning News
Related Photos
GREENLAND - A Fayetteville woman was killed Saturday morning when her vehicle was struck by a train on West Wilson Street in Greenland.
Mary Lee Guthery, 81, of 1717 S. Stirman Ave. in Fayetteville was eastbound across the railroad tracks when a southbound Arkansas & Missouri Railroad passenger train struck her on the vehicle's driver's side just after 9 a.m.
Guthery, the only occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene, Greenland Police Chief Gary Ricker said.
All content © The Morning News. Unauthorized distribution prohibited.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Friends to celebrate life of longtime resident of Fayettevile
A potluck dinner and music jam from 4 to 10 p.m. tomorrow (Sunday April 27, 2008) at Terra Studios in Durham is to celebrate the life of Michael Sloate — musician, carpenter, writer and friend to many.
A similar event is planned for May 2-4 on the Yellow Brick Road in Madison County. Friends may call 521-4734 or677-2317 for directions.
A memorial service in Sloate's birth place, Dewitt, will be announced later. Memorials may be made to Circle of Life Hospice. The University of Arkansas journalism graduate died April 16, 2008. He was 54 years old.
A similar event is planned for May 2-4 on the Yellow Brick Road in Madison County. Friends may call 521-4734 or677-2317 for directions.
A memorial service in Sloate's birth place, Dewitt, will be announced later. Memorials may be made to Circle of Life Hospice. The University of Arkansas journalism graduate died April 16, 2008. He was 54 years old.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Earth Fest in Rose Garden during 2008 Springfest in Fayetteville, Arkansas
PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE poster
Bella Vista's goose plan hardly worthy of respect
One can only hope that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service responded to the plan announced by Bella Vista by suggesting that Bella Vistans buy Arkansas hunting licenses and state waterfowl stamps and federal waterfowl stamps and hunt the geese legally during the season on Canada geese each fall.
Bella Vista leaves geese out of discussion of their future
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission spent a lot of money over the past three decades to stock Canada geese in Arkansas, creating large resident flocks. It is pathetic that our society has not only destroyed vast parcels of wildlife habitat for human convenience but also seems unaware that such magnificent creatures not only have as much right to live here as we do and that the natural order assumes that they will remain a part of our food supply.
I am not a vegetarian, but I understand and respect the thinking of people who choose to be vegetarians to avoid killing living things for food.
I do not understand or respect the thinking of people who eat meat from animals raised in captivity and slaughtered for their convenience but treat wildlife as pests.
The natural and legal hunting of wild game simply does the population control that other predators did before manknd became overpopulated. Wolves and coyotes and raccoons and hawks and crows and such would be thinning the broods of nesting waterfowl if that were not forced out of such areas.
Encouraging natural predators to share our space would eliminate such stupidity as the Bella Vista property owners' association has adopted: "The association spends between $50,000 and $100,000 per year to manage the problem, not including costs for loss of use of property," said General Manager Tommy Bailey.
If they won't kill and clean and cook an animal, why don't they all become vegetarians?
For people physically unable to hunt, there could be a nonhunter's permit to eat meat provided by others. That is the questionable practice in the natural world, where creatures that eat what others kill are known as "carrion eaters."
This returns the phrase "old buzzard" to its literal meaning.
Bella Vista leaves geese out of discussion of their future
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission spent a lot of money over the past three decades to stock Canada geese in Arkansas, creating large resident flocks. It is pathetic that our society has not only destroyed vast parcels of wildlife habitat for human convenience but also seems unaware that such magnificent creatures not only have as much right to live here as we do and that the natural order assumes that they will remain a part of our food supply.
I am not a vegetarian, but I understand and respect the thinking of people who choose to be vegetarians to avoid killing living things for food.
I do not understand or respect the thinking of people who eat meat from animals raised in captivity and slaughtered for their convenience but treat wildlife as pests.
The natural and legal hunting of wild game simply does the population control that other predators did before manknd became overpopulated. Wolves and coyotes and raccoons and hawks and crows and such would be thinning the broods of nesting waterfowl if that were not forced out of such areas.
Encouraging natural predators to share our space would eliminate such stupidity as the Bella Vista property owners' association has adopted: "The association spends between $50,000 and $100,000 per year to manage the problem, not including costs for loss of use of property," said General Manager Tommy Bailey.
If they won't kill and clean and cook an animal, why don't they all become vegetarians?
For people physically unable to hunt, there could be a nonhunter's permit to eat meat provided by others. That is the questionable practice in the natural world, where creatures that eat what others kill are known as "carrion eaters."
This returns the phrase "old buzzard" to its literal meaning.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Please see first 264 photos in set of
Earth Day 2008 photos from World Peace Wetland Prairie and return later to see more!
Earth Day 2008 photos from World Peace Wetland Prairie and return later to see more!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
The packages for the silent auction starting at 5:30 p.m. today are great
Please click on images to ENLARGE.
Please click on images to ENLARGE.
Please click on images to ENLARGE.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Please attend benefit concert for Meals on Wheels on Wednesday
Please click on image to ENLARGE.
The group that got the contract a couple of years ago to manage the Senior Center is in need of help to raise money for the senior center.
The center manager has collected some really nice items for a silent auction and the music is guaranteed to please. Almost everyone is a potential beneficiary of Meals on Wheels and the grand Senior Activity Center in south Fayetteville.
Senior Activity Center in Fayetteville
The group that got the contract a couple of years ago to manage the Senior Center is in need of help to raise money for the senior center.
The center manager has collected some really nice items for a silent auction and the music is guaranteed to please. Almost everyone is a potential beneficiary of Meals on Wheels and the grand Senior Activity Center in south Fayetteville.
Senior Activity Center in Fayetteville
Come on John, don't disappoint your friends. Everybody knows what's wrong with this quote
Boozman visits Town Branch neighborhood in January 2004 ">
John Boozman and Aubrey Shepherd on land now named World Peace Wetland Prairie
Melissa Terry and John Boozman looking over land now known as Aspen Ridge and soon Hill Place 100 yards south of Sixth Street Internet guru in D.C. apparently couldn't understand that this was so close to the UA campus inside Fayetteville and captioned it as "south of Fayetteville." Some long-time residents of Fayetteville say that this land should have become Fayetteville's "Central Park" rather than a concrete and red-dirt marred wasteland.
Please click on image to enlarge Jan. 12, 2004, photo of Congressman John Boozman and Aubrey Shepherd after walk with other concerned citizens on the then-future site of World Peace Wetland Prairie and the now-defunct Aspen Ridge Townhouse construction site (up now for consideration as the Hill Place Community student-apartment site)
"Boozman said he gets a bad rating from environmental groups because he is interested in doing something about high energy costs by increasing supply."
"He has voted for drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, "for offshore drilling, and for a lot of things that would increase our national supply," he said.
"I'm concerned about high fuel prices for people on fixed incomes, not some interest group's ratings," the congressman said.
To read about the setting in which John Boozman made his comments, please click on
Boozman disappoints friends with absurd comment that is quoted by Doug Thompson in The Morning News ">
The League of Conservation Voters isn't an "interest group." An interest group is an oil company or an administration dependent on the oil companies and such for the money that put it in office and which seems to consider the lives of American soldiers a simple cost of doing business.
Conservation/environmental groups aren't all created equal, but mostly they are supported by altruistic people, (you know, the sort who try to live by Jesus' teachings).
And, if you are concerned about people on a fixed income, how about increasing funding for Social Security, Medicare and other programs for which people "on fixed incomes" paid for decades?
I respect you for sticking to your principles; but, when sticking to your principles means sticking it to low-income human beings and ALL OTHER LIVING THINGS ON EARTH, you need to consider learning and relying on some more meaningful, more righteous principles.
Right now, you are in danger of losing to a Green Party candidate. That hasn't happened to many Republicans, has it? But you don't have a Democratic opponent. So Abel Tomlinson is going to get every Democrat's vote and may get so many Republican votes that you could lose your seat.
Ethanol was discredited before ethanol was cool. It makes sense only where it can be produced without increasing acreage in production by destroying wildlife habitat and climate-protecting woodland and prairie land and without reducing basic food supplies or requiring transportation between continents.
And increasing off-shore or arctic drilling would be unconscionable. How about getting some federal money rolling to subsidize light rail and other forms of public transportation and stop subsidizing the oil moguls' war?
Monday, April 21, 2008
Photo set from Sunday's Earth Day Celebration at World Peace Wetland Prairie will grow until complete
Please see first 33 photos in set of
Earth Day 2008 photos from World Peace Wetland Prairie and return later to see more!
Please see
Earth Day 2008 NWA TIMES story on World Peace Wetland Prairie
Earth Day 2008 photos from World Peace Wetland Prairie and return later to see more!
Please see
Earth Day 2008 NWA TIMES story on World Peace Wetland Prairie
Tree frog among favorite finds of Earth Day 2008 visitors to World Peace Wetland Prairie
Please click on image of tree frog on World Peace Wetland Prairie on April 20, 2008.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Search World Peace Wetland Prairie this afternoon, but I'll be hiding while you guys enjoy Earth Day, says many-legged little guy.
Please click on image to enlarge photo from Sunday morning April 20, 2008, on World Peace Wetland Prairie.
Stop by and see me between 1 and 5 p.m. TODAY, says swallowtail butterfly enjoying Earth Day at World Peace Wetland Prairie
Please click on Image to ENLARGE photo of swallowtail butterfly nectaring on purple iris at World Peace Wetland Prairie on Sunday morning at World Peace Wetland Prairie at 1121 S. Duncan Avenue in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Lonicera sempervirens on World Peace Wetland Prairie trying to bloom for Earth Day celebration
Please click on image to see non-invasive, non-binding native trumpet honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens, nearly in bloom.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Monarchs sailing northeast Tuesday and some pause for nectar on April 15, 2008
Please click on image to ENLARGE photo of monarch butterfly feeding on dandelion at WPWP.
I can't promise a lot of monarchs will be nectaring on World Peace Wetland Prairie during the Earth Day Celebration from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. But plenty will be traveling northeast across Fayetteville and at least a few will pause to seek sustenance. The plants they need to sustain their progeny, the various types of milkweed, will show up in May on WPWP. For 2007 photos of what went on at WPWP, please see
2007 photos from World Peace Wetland Prairie and 2008 Earth Day announcement
I can't promise a lot of monarchs will be nectaring on World Peace Wetland Prairie during the Earth Day Celebration from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. But plenty will be traveling northeast across Fayetteville and at least a few will pause to seek sustenance. The plants they need to sustain their progeny, the various types of milkweed, will show up in May on WPWP. For 2007 photos of what went on at WPWP, please see
2007 photos from World Peace Wetland Prairie and 2008 Earth Day announcement
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Aspen Ridge/Hill Place and other controversial plans on Planning Commission Agenda for April 14, 2008
FINAL AGENDA
113 W. Mountain St. Fayetteville, AR 72701 Telephone: (479) 575-8267
AGENDA FOR A MEETING OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION
Monday, April 14, 2008, 5:30 p.m.
Room 219, City Administration Building
The following items will be considered:
Consent Agenda:
1. Approval of the minutes from the March 24, 2008 meeting.
2. CCP 08-2918: (STADIUM CENTRE COTTAGES, 557): Submitted by H2 ENGINEERING, INC. for property located at LOTS 12-14 OF THE STADIUM CENTRE COTTAGES. The property is zoned R-PZD, RESIDENTIAL PLANNED ZONING DISTRICT and contains approximately 2.45 acres. The request is to amend the approved R-PZD 06-2212 with a replat of Lots 12-14. Planner: Jesse Fulcher
3. VAC 08-2951: (SHOPPES AT WEDINGTON, 401): Submitted by MCCLELLAND CONSULTING ENGINEERS for property located at N & W OF WEDINGTON AND SALEM ROAD, W OF THE BANK OF THE OZARKS. The property is zoned C-1, NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL and contains approximately 2.24 acres. The request is to vacate 5,997 square feet of a utility easement within the subject property.
Planner: Jesse Fulcher
4. LSP 08-2950: (SHOPPES AT WEDINGTON, 401): Submitted by MCCLELLAND CONSULTING ENGINEERS for property located at LOT 2 OF ELDER APTS., N OF WEDINGTON DR. AND W OF SALEM DR. AND THE BANK OF THE OZARKS. The property is zoned C-1, NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL and contains approximately 3.40 acres. The request is to divide the subject property into two tracts of 2.24 and 1.16 acres. Planner: Jesse Fulcher
Unfinished Business:
5. CUP 08-2922: (LIGHT TOWER, LLC & VERIZON, 400): Submitted by TRACY WOODEN for property located at 1363 N. RUPPLE ROAD. The property is zoned C-1, NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL and contains approximately 1.11 acres. The request is for a wireless communication tower. Planner: Jesse Fulcher
STAFF HAS RECOMMENDED THIS ITEM BE TABLED INDEFINITELY.
6. RZN 08-2934: (NEWELL/MORTON, 404): Submitted by JAKE NEWELL & CLAY MORTON MNI, LLC for property located at 1141 HENDRIX. The property is zoned RSF-4, SINGLE FAMILY - 4 UNITS/ACRE and contains approximately 0.37 acres. The request is to rezone the subject property to RSF-8, Residential Single Family, 8 units per acre, subject to a Bill of Assurance. Planner: Andrew Garner
New Business:
7. ADM 08-2978: (SCAIFE, 100): Submitted by KEVIN NALLEY/KINAX CONSTRUCTION for property located at 3826 MONTE VALLO MANOR (LOT 42 COPPER CREEK S/D.) The request is for a variance from circle driveway separation requirements. Planner: Andrew Garner
8. LSP 08-2948: (DAVIDSON, 482): Submitted by JOHN DAVIDSON for property located at 1614 SAWYER LANE. The property is zoned RSF-4, SINGLE FAMILY - 4 UNITS/ACRE and contains approximately 0.69 acres. The request is to divide the subject property into two tracts of .45 and .24 acres. Planner: Dara Sanders
9. LSD 08-2903: (SHOPPES AT WEDINGTON, 401): Submitted by MCCLELLAND CONSULTING ENGINEERS for property located at WEST OF THE SALEM ROAD AND WEDINGTON DRIVE INTERSECTION. The property is zoned C-1, NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL and contains approximately 2.24 acres. The request is for a 15,750 s.f. commercial/retail building with associated parking. Planner: Jesse Fulcher
10. CUP 08-2942: (NATURAL STATE HEALING ARTS, INC., 524): Submitted by LISA FOGEL for property located at 534 HUNTSVILLE ROAD. The property is zoned RSF-8, SINGLE FAMILY - 8 UNITS/ACRE and contains approximately 1.46 acres. The request is for a home occupation for two in-home professional offices. Planner: Dara Sanders
11. CUP 08-2944: (CARSON, 755): Submitted by SANDY CARSON for property located at 3940 S. SALLY'S PLACE, S OF BAILEY DRIVE. The property is zoned R-A, RESIDENTIAL-AGRICULTURAL and contains approximately 2.17 acres. The request is for an accessory structure with 50% greater floor area than the principal structure. Planner: Dara Sanders
12. CUP 08-2955: (MONTEREY APARTMENTS, 483): Submitted by COMMUNITY BY DESIGN, LLC for property located at 615 WEST LAFAYETTE STREET. The property is zoned RMF-40, MULTI FAMILY - 40 UNITS/ACRE and contains approximately 0.27 acres. The request is to allow a reduction in the number of on-site parking spaces below that required by Chapter 172. Planner: Dara Sanders
13. CUP 08-2954: (PERSIMMON NURSING HOME, 477/478): Submitted by JORGENSEN & ASSOC for property located at S AND E OF PERSIMMON AT 46TH AVENUE. The property is zoned RSF-4, SINGLE FAMILY - 4 UNITS/ACRE and contains approximately 11.18 acres. The request is for a nursing home on the subject property. Planner: Andrew Garner
14. R-PZD 07-2793: (FOREST HILLS, 440): Submitted by MORRISON SHIPLEY ENGINEERS, INC. for property located at WEDINGTON DRIVE, S OF SALEM ROAD. The property is zoned R-A, RESIDENTIAL-AGRICULTURAL and contains approximately 82.39 acres. The request is for Zoning and Land Use approval for a Residential Planned Zoning District with a maximum 600 dwelling units and 206,102 s.f. of non-residential space. Planner: Jesse Fulcher
15. R-PZD 08-2915: (HILL PLACE, 561): Submitted by APPIAN CENTER FOR DESIGN for property located at THE SW CORNER OF THE 6TH STREET AND HILL AVENUE INTERSECTION. The property is zoned R-PZD, RESIDENT. PLANNED ZONING DISTRICT (ASPEN RIDGE) and contains approximately 27.10 acres. The request is for zoning, land use, and large scale development approval for a Residential Planned Zoning District with 288 multi-family dwelling units, a community building and associated parking. Planner: Andrew Garner
16. VAC 08-2916: (HILL PLACE, 561): Submitted by APPIAN CENTER FOR DESIGN for property located at THE SW CORNER OF THE 6TH STREET AND HILL AVENUE INTERSECTION. The property is zoned R-PZD, RESIDENT. PLANNED ZONING DIST. and contains approximately 27.10 acres. The request is to vacate various utility easements and right-of-ways within the subject property. Planner: Andrew Garner
17. R-PZD 06-2170: (VILLAS AT STONEBRIDGE, 645/646): Submitted by APPIAN CENTRE FOR DESIGN for property located S OF HWY. 16E AND E OF GOFF FARM ROAD. The property is zoned R-A, RESIDENTIAL-AGRICULTURAL and contains approximately 53.03 acres. The request is for zoning, land use and preliminary plat approval for a Residential Planned Zoning District with a maximum of 354 dwelling units and 65,000 s.f. of non-residential space. Phase I development approval consists of 91 single family lots. Planner: Jesse Fulcher
All interested parties may appear and be heard at the public hearings. A copy of the proposed amendments and other pertinent data are open and available for inspection in the office of City Planning (575-8267), 125 West Mountain Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas. All interested parties are invited to review the petitions. Interpreters or TDD for hearing impaired are available for all public hearings; 72 hour notice is required. For further information or to request an interpreter, please call 575-8330.
113 W. Mountain St. Fayetteville, AR 72701 Telephone: (479) 575-8267
AGENDA FOR A MEETING OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION
Monday, April 14, 2008, 5:30 p.m.
Room 219, City Administration Building
The following items will be considered:
Consent Agenda:
1. Approval of the minutes from the March 24, 2008 meeting.
2. CCP 08-2918: (STADIUM CENTRE COTTAGES, 557): Submitted by H2 ENGINEERING, INC. for property located at LOTS 12-14 OF THE STADIUM CENTRE COTTAGES. The property is zoned R-PZD, RESIDENTIAL PLANNED ZONING DISTRICT and contains approximately 2.45 acres. The request is to amend the approved R-PZD 06-2212 with a replat of Lots 12-14. Planner: Jesse Fulcher
3. VAC 08-2951: (SHOPPES AT WEDINGTON, 401): Submitted by MCCLELLAND CONSULTING ENGINEERS for property located at N & W OF WEDINGTON AND SALEM ROAD, W OF THE BANK OF THE OZARKS. The property is zoned C-1, NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL and contains approximately 2.24 acres. The request is to vacate 5,997 square feet of a utility easement within the subject property.
Planner: Jesse Fulcher
4. LSP 08-2950: (SHOPPES AT WEDINGTON, 401): Submitted by MCCLELLAND CONSULTING ENGINEERS for property located at LOT 2 OF ELDER APTS., N OF WEDINGTON DR. AND W OF SALEM DR. AND THE BANK OF THE OZARKS. The property is zoned C-1, NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL and contains approximately 3.40 acres. The request is to divide the subject property into two tracts of 2.24 and 1.16 acres. Planner: Jesse Fulcher
Unfinished Business:
5. CUP 08-2922: (LIGHT TOWER, LLC & VERIZON, 400): Submitted by TRACY WOODEN for property located at 1363 N. RUPPLE ROAD. The property is zoned C-1, NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL and contains approximately 1.11 acres. The request is for a wireless communication tower. Planner: Jesse Fulcher
STAFF HAS RECOMMENDED THIS ITEM BE TABLED INDEFINITELY.
6. RZN 08-2934: (NEWELL/MORTON, 404): Submitted by JAKE NEWELL & CLAY MORTON MNI, LLC for property located at 1141 HENDRIX. The property is zoned RSF-4, SINGLE FAMILY - 4 UNITS/ACRE and contains approximately 0.37 acres. The request is to rezone the subject property to RSF-8, Residential Single Family, 8 units per acre, subject to a Bill of Assurance. Planner: Andrew Garner
New Business:
7. ADM 08-2978: (SCAIFE, 100): Submitted by KEVIN NALLEY/KINAX CONSTRUCTION for property located at 3826 MONTE VALLO MANOR (LOT 42 COPPER CREEK S/D.) The request is for a variance from circle driveway separation requirements. Planner: Andrew Garner
8. LSP 08-2948: (DAVIDSON, 482): Submitted by JOHN DAVIDSON for property located at 1614 SAWYER LANE. The property is zoned RSF-4, SINGLE FAMILY - 4 UNITS/ACRE and contains approximately 0.69 acres. The request is to divide the subject property into two tracts of .45 and .24 acres. Planner: Dara Sanders
9. LSD 08-2903: (SHOPPES AT WEDINGTON, 401): Submitted by MCCLELLAND CONSULTING ENGINEERS for property located at WEST OF THE SALEM ROAD AND WEDINGTON DRIVE INTERSECTION. The property is zoned C-1, NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL and contains approximately 2.24 acres. The request is for a 15,750 s.f. commercial/retail building with associated parking. Planner: Jesse Fulcher
10. CUP 08-2942: (NATURAL STATE HEALING ARTS, INC., 524): Submitted by LISA FOGEL for property located at 534 HUNTSVILLE ROAD. The property is zoned RSF-8, SINGLE FAMILY - 8 UNITS/ACRE and contains approximately 1.46 acres. The request is for a home occupation for two in-home professional offices. Planner: Dara Sanders
11. CUP 08-2944: (CARSON, 755): Submitted by SANDY CARSON for property located at 3940 S. SALLY'S PLACE, S OF BAILEY DRIVE. The property is zoned R-A, RESIDENTIAL-AGRICULTURAL and contains approximately 2.17 acres. The request is for an accessory structure with 50% greater floor area than the principal structure. Planner: Dara Sanders
12. CUP 08-2955: (MONTEREY APARTMENTS, 483): Submitted by COMMUNITY BY DESIGN, LLC for property located at 615 WEST LAFAYETTE STREET. The property is zoned RMF-40, MULTI FAMILY - 40 UNITS/ACRE and contains approximately 0.27 acres. The request is to allow a reduction in the number of on-site parking spaces below that required by Chapter 172. Planner: Dara Sanders
13. CUP 08-2954: (PERSIMMON NURSING HOME, 477/478): Submitted by JORGENSEN & ASSOC for property located at S AND E OF PERSIMMON AT 46TH AVENUE. The property is zoned RSF-4, SINGLE FAMILY - 4 UNITS/ACRE and contains approximately 11.18 acres. The request is for a nursing home on the subject property. Planner: Andrew Garner
14. R-PZD 07-2793: (FOREST HILLS, 440): Submitted by MORRISON SHIPLEY ENGINEERS, INC. for property located at WEDINGTON DRIVE, S OF SALEM ROAD. The property is zoned R-A, RESIDENTIAL-AGRICULTURAL and contains approximately 82.39 acres. The request is for Zoning and Land Use approval for a Residential Planned Zoning District with a maximum 600 dwelling units and 206,102 s.f. of non-residential space. Planner: Jesse Fulcher
15. R-PZD 08-2915: (HILL PLACE, 561): Submitted by APPIAN CENTER FOR DESIGN for property located at THE SW CORNER OF THE 6TH STREET AND HILL AVENUE INTERSECTION. The property is zoned R-PZD, RESIDENT. PLANNED ZONING DISTRICT (ASPEN RIDGE) and contains approximately 27.10 acres. The request is for zoning, land use, and large scale development approval for a Residential Planned Zoning District with 288 multi-family dwelling units, a community building and associated parking. Planner: Andrew Garner
16. VAC 08-2916: (HILL PLACE, 561): Submitted by APPIAN CENTER FOR DESIGN for property located at THE SW CORNER OF THE 6TH STREET AND HILL AVENUE INTERSECTION. The property is zoned R-PZD, RESIDENT. PLANNED ZONING DIST. and contains approximately 27.10 acres. The request is to vacate various utility easements and right-of-ways within the subject property. Planner: Andrew Garner
17. R-PZD 06-2170: (VILLAS AT STONEBRIDGE, 645/646): Submitted by APPIAN CENTRE FOR DESIGN for property located S OF HWY. 16E AND E OF GOFF FARM ROAD. The property is zoned R-A, RESIDENTIAL-AGRICULTURAL and contains approximately 53.03 acres. The request is for zoning, land use and preliminary plat approval for a Residential Planned Zoning District with a maximum of 354 dwelling units and 65,000 s.f. of non-residential space. Phase I development approval consists of 91 single family lots. Planner: Jesse Fulcher
All interested parties may appear and be heard at the public hearings. A copy of the proposed amendments and other pertinent data are open and available for inspection in the office of City Planning (575-8267), 125 West Mountain Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas. All interested parties are invited to review the petitions. Interpreters or TDD for hearing impaired are available for all public hearings; 72 hour notice is required. For further information or to request an interpreter, please call 575-8330.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Frat boys dump remains of temporary fence on Aspen Ridge/Hill Place
PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE photo of illegal dumping that partly fell onto Robert Williams' property.
Staff proposes spending $110,000 for study of recycling for apartments
Northwest Arkansas Times reports that
Council will be asked to approve $110,000 for study of recycling at apartments
Has the Times reported on latest results of
The University of Arkansas studies recycling at apartments and could the UA do the study still needed?
Recent article available on UA site:
University of Arkansas wins RecycleMania 2008
Council will be asked to approve $110,000 for study of recycling at apartments
Has the Times reported on latest results of
The University of Arkansas studies recycling at apartments and could the UA do the study still needed?
Recent article available on UA site:
University of Arkansas wins RecycleMania 2008
Do waste drugs affect living things when dumped in sewers and surface water?
Please click link to read related story:
The Morning News reports drugs found in surface water
The Morning News reports drugs found in surface water
If you don't have room to plant an oak, you can get some free ones April 19 to plant on public areas that recently were stripped of vegetation
Call Sierra Club at 479-530-8328 to get free oak trees on Saturday April 19.
Please click on images to enlarge photo above of Scull Creek Trail viewed from south of Maple Street and photo below of Town Branch of the West Fork of the White River west of the Ladyback Soccer Field.
Obviously, whoever decided to remove all the vegetation with excellent bird-nesting habitat and great importance in the effort to decrease the load of silt pouring off the campus into the Town Branch didn't get this memo:
University of Arkansas Sustainability plan
Similarly, the city trail plan didn't consider the city's sustainability effort in removing the big shade trees along the Scull Creek trail corridor. It seems that emphasizing the idea that the trails are only a part of the transportation system fails to take into account the environmental damage of construction or routing and fails to provide consideration of natural resources. Instead of offering a shady, natural setting with wildlife and wildflowers and relief from the urban environment's overwhelming streetscape, poorly planned trails simply add hot space to the city.
Please click on images to enlarge photo above of Scull Creek Trail viewed from south of Maple Street and photo below of Town Branch of the West Fork of the White River west of the Ladyback Soccer Field.
Obviously, whoever decided to remove all the vegetation with excellent bird-nesting habitat and great importance in the effort to decrease the load of silt pouring off the campus into the Town Branch didn't get this memo:
University of Arkansas Sustainability plan
Similarly, the city trail plan didn't consider the city's sustainability effort in removing the big shade trees along the Scull Creek trail corridor. It seems that emphasizing the idea that the trails are only a part of the transportation system fails to take into account the environmental damage of construction or routing and fails to provide consideration of natural resources. Instead of offering a shady, natural setting with wildlife and wildflowers and relief from the urban environment's overwhelming streetscape, poorly planned trails simply add hot space to the city.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Come see native trumpet honeysuckle, Lonicera Sempervirens, on World Peace Wetland Prairie Sunday afternoon, April 20, between 1 and 5 p.m.
PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE Lonicera sempervirens on April 12, 2008.
Sierra Club needs help to give away oak trees on Saturday April 19, 2008
From Dina Nash of the Arkansas Sierra Club:
The Arkansas Forestry Commission asked if the Sierra Club would like to do a tree give-away project: They have 50,000 extra 3-foot-tall oak trees (Willow oaks, Water oaks, Shumard oaks, and Pin oaks) and they'd like to give them away. I said yes, and we very much need your members to volunteer some hours to help take these little trees out of the paper bundle of 100 trees, put 1 or 2 in a bag, tape the top of the bag with masking tape, and give them to people who will promise to water them once or twice a week for several months so they will get a good start. So if you have 3 or more hours to help give away trees to help global warming, please email or call me ASAP, so I can plan who'll be there to take care of the give-away table: Location: Wal-Mart on Mall Drive at Joyce Street, a block west of College near the Garden Center from 10 AM to 4 PM (3 hour shifts, 10-1 and 1-4, or the whole 6 hours) Three people per shift, some bagging, some taping, and some handing out trees and putting the planting info sheet with them. An easy way to green up some bare places you may know of, too. Take some home to your yard, church, school, or farm! Give some to neighbors who lost a tree in a storm, etc. There are also openings at the Rogers Wal-Mart on Walnut Street on the l9th!!
Thanks so much for making this a success: please call me at 530-8328 My cell phone is in the 479 area code so Fayetteville friends don't need to make a long-distance call to reach me in Little Rock. Or you can email me at Dina_Nash@yahoo.com .
Thanks, Dina Nash, Vice Pres. Central Arkansas Sierra Club 479-530-8328 Little Rock
If you can't reach Dina, you may call Aubrey Shepherd at 479-444-6072 for information. You need not be a Sierra Club member to participate.
The Arkansas Forestry Commission asked if the Sierra Club would like to do a tree give-away project: They have 50,000 extra 3-foot-tall oak trees (Willow oaks, Water oaks, Shumard oaks, and Pin oaks) and they'd like to give them away. I said yes, and we very much need your members to volunteer some hours to help take these little trees out of the paper bundle of 100 trees, put 1 or 2 in a bag, tape the top of the bag with masking tape, and give them to people who will promise to water them once or twice a week for several months so they will get a good start. So if you have 3 or more hours to help give away trees to help global warming, please email or call me ASAP, so I can plan who'll be there to take care of the give-away table: Location: Wal-Mart on Mall Drive at Joyce Street, a block west of College near the Garden Center from 10 AM to 4 PM (3 hour shifts, 10-1 and 1-4, or the whole 6 hours) Three people per shift, some bagging, some taping, and some handing out trees and putting the planting info sheet with them. An easy way to green up some bare places you may know of, too. Take some home to your yard, church, school, or farm! Give some to neighbors who lost a tree in a storm, etc. There are also openings at the Rogers Wal-Mart on Walnut Street on the l9th!!
Thanks so much for making this a success: please call me at 530-8328 My cell phone is in the 479 area code so Fayetteville friends don't need to make a long-distance call to reach me in Little Rock. Or you can email me at Dina_Nash@yahoo.com .
Thanks, Dina Nash, Vice Pres. Central Arkansas Sierra Club 479-530-8328 Little Rock
If you can't reach Dina, you may call Aubrey Shepherd at 479-444-6072 for information. You need not be a Sierra Club member to participate.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Goose on Pinnacle Prairie one year ago today, April 11, 2007
Please click on image to ENLARGE photo of Canada goose on Pinnacle Prairie, the wetland between World Peace Wetland Prairie and the Pinnacle Foods Inc. plant between the railroad and 15th Street.
The geese may be seen at some times of day each winter from the western edge of World Peace Wetland Prairie, often flying over WPWP soon after dawn and near dusk.
The geese may be seen at some times of day each winter from the western edge of World Peace Wetland Prairie, often flying over WPWP soon after dawn and near dusk.
Carbon Caps Task Force needs people to help support work of Governor's Commission on Climate Change/Global Warming
The Web address on the planetworks banner doesn't actually work. Our technicians are trying to fix the problem.
The Web address on the Carbon Caps banner works, so please use it!
Or, better yet, just click on
Interactive site that includes information about planet works list of people who will advise legislators on climate-change prevention
PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE.
Carbon Caps Task Force Schedule
13 April 2008. CCTF Meeting. 1:30 PM Sunday at OMNI Office. Fayetteville.
20 April 2008 Earth Day at World Peace Wetland Prairie at 1121 S. Duncan Ave. 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday
26 April 2008. Spring Fest / Earth Fest, Fayetteville, Dickson Street. Saturday
26 April 2008. Arkansas Earth Day. Clinton Presidential Library. Little Rock. Saturday
4 May 2008. CCTF Meeting. 1:30 PM OMNI Office. Fayetteville. Sunday
The Web address on the Carbon Caps banner works, so please use it!
Or, better yet, just click on
Interactive site that includes information about planet works list of people who will advise legislators on climate-change prevention
PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE.
Carbon Caps Task Force Schedule
13 April 2008. CCTF Meeting. 1:30 PM Sunday at OMNI Office. Fayetteville.
20 April 2008 Earth Day at World Peace Wetland Prairie at 1121 S. Duncan Ave. 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday
26 April 2008. Spring Fest / Earth Fest, Fayetteville, Dickson Street. Saturday
26 April 2008. Arkansas Earth Day. Clinton Presidential Library. Little Rock. Saturday
4 May 2008. CCTF Meeting. 1:30 PM OMNI Office. Fayetteville. Sunday
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Planetwork booth draws visitors at University of Arkansas
Please click on Image to enlarge photo of a table sharing the message of the Carbon Caps Task Force, a committee of OMNI Center for Peace, Justice and Ecology.
0215
University of Arkansas sponsors environmental displays for students, staff and faculty.
13 April 2008. CCTF Meeting. 1:30 PM OMNI Office. Fayetteville.
20 April 2008 Earth Day at World Peace Wetland Prairie
26 April 2008. Spring Fest / Earth Fest, Fayetteville, Dixson Street.
26 April 2008. Arkansas Earth Day. Clinton Presidential Library. Little Rock.
4 May 2008. CCTF Meeting. 1:30 PM OMNI Office. Fayetteville.
0215
University of Arkansas sponsors environmental displays for students, staff and faculty.
13 April 2008. CCTF Meeting. 1:30 PM OMNI Office. Fayetteville.
20 April 2008 Earth Day at World Peace Wetland Prairie
26 April 2008. Spring Fest / Earth Fest, Fayetteville, Dixson Street.
26 April 2008. Arkansas Earth Day. Clinton Presidential Library. Little Rock.
4 May 2008. CCTF Meeting. 1:30 PM OMNI Office. Fayetteville.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Still nasty, after allllllll this time: Aspen Ridge mud before 11 p.m. Wednesday April 9, 2008
PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE
Water coming southeast from Aspen Ridge toward intersection of South Duncan Avenue and Eleventh Street.
Storm drain at W. Eleventh and South Duncan receiving flood water from Aspen Ridge.
Storm drain 60 feet south on NE corner of intersection of S. Duncan and W. 11th.
Outlet for storm drain 250 feet east into the Town Branch of the West Fork of the White River on the upstream side of the 11th St. bridge.
Please click on image to ENLARGE:
Incomplete storm drain at 11th Street and South Duncan Avenue at 10:55 p.m. Wednesday April 9, 2008. If the developers had been required to put up a 100 percent bond in winter 2005 to guarantee stormwater management on the development site, this would be clear water running off of fully vegetated land and the actual volume of water would be much less, if the original plans were correct..
Water coming southeast from Aspen Ridge toward intersection of South Duncan Avenue and Eleventh Street.
Storm drain at W. Eleventh and South Duncan receiving flood water from Aspen Ridge.
Storm drain 60 feet south on NE corner of intersection of S. Duncan and W. 11th.
Outlet for storm drain 250 feet east into the Town Branch of the West Fork of the White River on the upstream side of the 11th St. bridge.
Please click on image to ENLARGE:
Incomplete storm drain at 11th Street and South Duncan Avenue at 10:55 p.m. Wednesday April 9, 2008. If the developers had been required to put up a 100 percent bond in winter 2005 to guarantee stormwater management on the development site, this would be clear water running off of fully vegetated land and the actual volume of water would be much less, if the original plans were correct..
Somehow, I missed hearing council discussion of stormwater bond
I read the following story in the Northwest Arkansas Times on Sunday but when I watched parts of the City Council's agenda session, I missed discussion of what I consider the most encouraging part of it. A bond on stormwater-rule enforcement.
http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/63842
Stormwater-bond plan in NW Arkansas Times on April 6, 2008
Bond proposal meant to protect city, neighbors
BY MARSHA L. MELNICHAK Northwest Arkansas Times
Posted on Saturday, April 5, 2008
"A proposal that would lower maintenance bonds for public infrastructure for developers will likely go before the City Council next month.
At the same time, the Fayetteville council will consider adding a guarantee requirement from developers for stormwater management and erosion control.
........................
"The Ordinance Review Committee voted this week to recommend that the city accept a 25 percent bond for two years instead of a 100 percent bond for one year for public improvements."
City staff recommended that change.
.........................
"The Ordinance Review Committee is also suggesting an addition to the maintenance bond ordinance to resolve some erosion control issues.
"For developments over five acres, a separate guarantee for stormwater management, drainage and erosion control would be required by the city.
"For those, the recommendation is a 100 percent guarantee for the total cost to install all of the erosion and sediment control plan.
"That guarantee has to stay in place until all the disturbed areas are stabilized and vegetation is established, Petrie said.
"The erosion control part of this helps us in these scenarios, like Aspen Ridge, where you might have these huge areas that became disturbed and somebody just decides to walk away from the project. You've got money in place to continue the maintenance of the erosion control or just go out and re-vegetate the property if you had to," he said.
I hope that I just was out of the room when the water-shed protection discussion occurred during Tuesday's agenda-setting session.
I don't like the idea of dropping any of the bonds to only 25 percent. Far too many developers remove trees and soil without the ability to guarantee completion of projects. Aspen Ridge is far from the only such example. It is simply the one that has been most publicized because so many people pass near it daily and so many people downstream are threatened by its effect.
I do, however, want to see a 100 percent bond on stormwater rules with at least two years allowed for collection. In fact the bond should last longer because significant rain such in 2004 and early 2008 doesn't come every year. The true effectiveness of stormwater-management work isn't obvious extended periods of heavy rain occur after weeks of frequent rain have saturated deep into the ground.
If Aspen Ridge had been completed on the most hopeful schedule, the bond period might have ended and the failure of the detention ponds and silt fences and vegetation restoration would just now be manifest.
In the case of Aspen Ridge, the original developers are getting off free.
http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/63842
Stormwater-bond plan in NW Arkansas Times on April 6, 2008
Bond proposal meant to protect city, neighbors
BY MARSHA L. MELNICHAK Northwest Arkansas Times
Posted on Saturday, April 5, 2008
"A proposal that would lower maintenance bonds for public infrastructure for developers will likely go before the City Council next month.
At the same time, the Fayetteville council will consider adding a guarantee requirement from developers for stormwater management and erosion control.
........................
"The Ordinance Review Committee voted this week to recommend that the city accept a 25 percent bond for two years instead of a 100 percent bond for one year for public improvements."
City staff recommended that change.
.........................
"The Ordinance Review Committee is also suggesting an addition to the maintenance bond ordinance to resolve some erosion control issues.
"For developments over five acres, a separate guarantee for stormwater management, drainage and erosion control would be required by the city.
"For those, the recommendation is a 100 percent guarantee for the total cost to install all of the erosion and sediment control plan.
"That guarantee has to stay in place until all the disturbed areas are stabilized and vegetation is established, Petrie said.
"The erosion control part of this helps us in these scenarios, like Aspen Ridge, where you might have these huge areas that became disturbed and somebody just decides to walk away from the project. You've got money in place to continue the maintenance of the erosion control or just go out and re-vegetate the property if you had to," he said.
I hope that I just was out of the room when the water-shed protection discussion occurred during Tuesday's agenda-setting session.
I don't like the idea of dropping any of the bonds to only 25 percent. Far too many developers remove trees and soil without the ability to guarantee completion of projects. Aspen Ridge is far from the only such example. It is simply the one that has been most publicized because so many people pass near it daily and so many people downstream are threatened by its effect.
I do, however, want to see a 100 percent bond on stormwater rules with at least two years allowed for collection. In fact the bond should last longer because significant rain such in 2004 and early 2008 doesn't come every year. The true effectiveness of stormwater-management work isn't obvious extended periods of heavy rain occur after weeks of frequent rain have saturated deep into the ground.
If Aspen Ridge had been completed on the most hopeful schedule, the bond period might have ended and the failure of the detention ponds and silt fences and vegetation restoration would just now be manifest.
In the case of Aspen Ridge, the original developers are getting off free.
Walker Park neighborhood rezoning plan available for inspection
WALKER PARK NEIGHBORHOOD PROPOSED REZONING ON DISPLAY
FAYETTEVILLE, AR — The proposed rezoning of the Walker Park Neighborhood will be on display in the Planning office from April 14 to April 22 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The rezoning proposal was developed during a charrette held in the fall of 2007 and will be heard by the Planning Commission on April 28, 2007. The display will allow property owners and stakeholders to ask questions and give informal comments to planners before the first public hearing.
More than 200 residents, business owners and other stakeholders participated in the week-long charrette in September of 2007 to create a master plan for the neighborhood roughly bounded by 15th Street, Huntsville Road, the Downtown Master Plan boundary and South School Avenue. Among the recommendations made in the plan was a proposal to change the zoning to reflect existing uses and encourage appropriate infill development. The mostly single-family residential area is currently zoned for multi-family dwellings, 24 units per acre.
The proposed zoning changes the residential areas to Neighborhood Conservation and Downtown General. Neighborhood Conservation allows single- and two-family dwellings, and Downtown General allows cultural and recreational facilities, offices, eating places, neighborhood shopping goods, home occupations and multi-family dwellings in addition to the uses allowed in Neighborhood Conservation. The intersection of South School Avenue and 15th Street, which is currently zoned as Commercial Thoroughfare, has a proposed rezoning of Main Street Center. The uses allowed in both zoning designations are similar, but Main Street Center allows for reduced setbacks and requires internalized parking, creating a more pedestrian-friendly streetscape."
CONTACT: Karen Minkel
Senior Long Range Planner
479-575-8267
kminkel@ci.fayetteville.ar.us
FAYETTEVILLE, AR — The proposed rezoning of the Walker Park Neighborhood will be on display in the Planning office from April 14 to April 22 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The rezoning proposal was developed during a charrette held in the fall of 2007 and will be heard by the Planning Commission on April 28, 2007. The display will allow property owners and stakeholders to ask questions and give informal comments to planners before the first public hearing.
More than 200 residents, business owners and other stakeholders participated in the week-long charrette in September of 2007 to create a master plan for the neighborhood roughly bounded by 15th Street, Huntsville Road, the Downtown Master Plan boundary and South School Avenue. Among the recommendations made in the plan was a proposal to change the zoning to reflect existing uses and encourage appropriate infill development. The mostly single-family residential area is currently zoned for multi-family dwellings, 24 units per acre.
The proposed zoning changes the residential areas to Neighborhood Conservation and Downtown General. Neighborhood Conservation allows single- and two-family dwellings, and Downtown General allows cultural and recreational facilities, offices, eating places, neighborhood shopping goods, home occupations and multi-family dwellings in addition to the uses allowed in Neighborhood Conservation. The intersection of South School Avenue and 15th Street, which is currently zoned as Commercial Thoroughfare, has a proposed rezoning of Main Street Center. The uses allowed in both zoning designations are similar, but Main Street Center allows for reduced setbacks and requires internalized parking, creating a more pedestrian-friendly streetscape."
CONTACT: Karen Minkel
Senior Long Range Planner
479-575-8267
kminkel@ci.fayetteville.ar.us
Senior Centers of Northwest Arkansas receive donation thanks to legislators
PLEASE CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Lonicera sempervirens new growth nearing bloom on World Peace Wetland Prairie on April 7, 2008
Please click on link for more photos of
Native trumpet honeysuckle about to bloom on World Peace Wetland Prairie on April 7, 2008. Will it be in full flower in time for the 2008 celebration of Earth Day on World Peace Wetland Prairie on Sunday afternoon, April 20?
PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE native trumpet honeysuckle vine about to bloom.
Native trumpet honeysuckle about to bloom on World Peace Wetland Prairie on April 7, 2008. Will it be in full flower in time for the 2008 celebration of Earth Day on World Peace Wetland Prairie on Sunday afternoon, April 20?
PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE native trumpet honeysuckle vine about to bloom.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Saturday, April 5, 2008
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