A tree farm is closer to being built on the north side of Summit Meadows after city Planning Commission members unanimously approved a rezoning request to change the zoning of the 60 acres from Residential 2 to Agricultural. Under R-2, the land was planned for apartments.
Dennis McGarrah told planners he would like to build a residence on the property and access it through the subdivision, but access the business from Hazelton Road, on the north side of the property. He assured concerned residents he did not intend to take commercial equipment through the subdivision.
McGarrah told planners and persons attending the public hearing that he did not plan a retail operation, but a wholesale tree operation.
One of the concerns expressed repeatedly was increased traffic through the subdivision. Planners said this proposal would create less traffic than would the current zone if it was built with apartments as planned.
"When this was rezoned, it was limited to six units an acre," Tony Townsend, building official, said. "That's a lot of trips through that subdivision."
After hearing questions and comments during the public hearing, planners considered the request, asked the audience to state whether any objected to the tree farm, then voted to approve the rezone request. After all the information was shared, two persons (one of whom was Kevin Felgenhauer) expressed opposition to the request.
Felgenhauer, a developer, said: "I own that street behind ... we've got a million dollar sewer across that property ... water mains ... they've already plowed. We've got property here zoned R2; this city needs lots. We've got an owner who wants to dump the property as quick as he can... why not use it for what it's designated?
"To make this agricultural, you've got to open another subdivision ... the best use of this property is for a subdivision."
Residents in attendance and speaking included Jim Gliwa, Larry and Marilyn Whisenhant, Ronald and Jean Bray, Dennis E. McGarrah, Timothea McGarrah, Sharon Schmalhaus, Tom and Phyllis Hansen, Brian Niehues, Susan Hope, Hal Evans, Larry Miser, Scott Kelly and Robin Trimble.
Ronald Bray, who owns a farm on the north side of Hazelton Road north of the property in question said: "It would be good to have it rezoned back to where it was ... we'd be in favor."
Marilyn Whisenhant said: "If we have trees all the way across there, think about how it would break the north wind."
Sharon Schmalhaus asked: "I have other concerns... what about corn mazes, hay rides, massive traffic... we're hearing what your plan is right now, but can you put restrictions on what can happen in the future?"
"We are firmly rooted in this community," Dennis McGarrah, father of the petitioner, said. "I intend to keep the maze and farm on my place (east of town)." McGarrah owns a farm north of Lee Town Road and runs a pumpkin patch, corn maze and has hay rides in the fall.
Referring to his son, he said: "He's a Pea Ridge High School graduate. He's pretty well committed to this community with his wife and kids."
Gliwa asked: "Have you done the research completely enough to know what you're getting into?
The younger McGarrah said: "I actually have a nursery business right now. I've been doing it for five years. I worked for my dad's cousin who ran a nursery for 28 years. I didn't' dream this up last night."
In other business, planners:
• approved the large scale development for Legacy Storage, Weston Street; and
• approved a variance request for adding a carport on the side of a garage at 1013 Bowen Street by resident Deanna Strickert.
General News on 06/10/2015