Planners had a lengthy discussion about a variance request from developer Kevin Felgenhauer who said he wants to upgrade the street lights from those required by the city in Willow Run subdivision.
"There's an ordinance that requires us to purchase our lights from Carroll Electric," Felgenhauer reminded city officials "I would like to do an upgrade... the type of light they're using in Bentonville. I want a better look to the subdivision. I'm willing to accept the responsibility and the electric bill to change our light style."
"I don't agree with these aluminum lights -- they look terrible," he said.
"The Street Department already has more in town than they can keep up with. It got rather expensive to replace when somebody bumps into them," Tony Townsend, city building official, said.
Planner Karen Sherman said the ordinance requiring the lights was for a purpose as well as Carroll Electric maintains the street lights that are bought from them.
Felgenhauer asserted he would maintain the lights but city officials discussed the future and whether the light poles would ultimately revert to the city's responsibility.
"I agree with Karen on this. What about 50 years from now," planner Michael Wilhelm asked.
City attorney Shane Perry said he applauds Felgenhauer's desire to upgrade the light poles and beautiful the city but says the issue for city officials is liability and cost to the city.
"I don't know if you set up a POA (property owners association) with mandatory dues with some portion going for maintenance and money held in reserve that would be what this board would like to hear," Perry said. "What gives the board comfort is that Carroll Electric isn't going anywhere."
Street Department superintendent Nathan See said the city pays $5 per month per street light. He said that the city had to pay $1,200 per light pole in Creekside when all of the previously set light poles were broken.
"Same thing on the golf course," Townsend added.
Ultimately, with one nay vote, the board approved Felgenhauer's variance request on the condition that he establishes a POA and guarantees the lights for 10 years.
When reviewing the checklist to approve the preliminary Plat for Elkhorn Ridge Phase III by Franklin Miller, planners said the current zone of the land was not on the plans. After a lengthy discussion, planners temporarily tabled the discussion to move to other business. At the end of the meeting, planners approved the plat after City Clerk Sandy Button, who was in the audience, researched the issue and informed planners the land had been rezoned Residential 2 from Agricultural with passage of Ordinance 605.
In other business, the Planning Commission:
• Approved a replat and rename request from Jim Brown for Hillcrest Subdivision; and
• Tabled a variance request for a 10-foot rear set back for 1225 Nemett Circle by Chris Olson as he was not present.
General News on 06/20/2018