Bentonville Committee of the Whole and City Council Meeting - March 31, 2026

The Bentonville Committee of the Whole and City Council met on March 31, 2026, at Bentonville City Hall. The meeting began with the Committee of the Whole for discussion, followed by the City Council meeting, which included public comments, routine consent approvals, individual votes on annexation, easement vacation, and several planning items. The Council also held an extensive debate on the proposed Bentonville Community Code, Zoning Map, and Downtown Overlay, ultimately tabling the items for revisions based on specific Council direction.

Consent Calendar

• The Council approved a consent agenda containing the following items by a single vote. The Clerk read the following items by title for the record:
  • New Business Item 1: Resolution authorizing a Cisco Enterprise Agreement with Heartland Business Systems ($334,381.59).
  • New Business Item 2: Resolution awarding a mowing contract at Creekside Park to Empire Group Property Management ($67,053).
  • New Business Item 3: Resolution authorizing sports lighting upgrades at Memorial Park with Musco Sports Lighting ($551,800).
  • New Business Item 6: Resolution setting a public hearing for an alley right-of-way vacation (VAC26-0004).
  • New Business Item 7: Resolution authorizing the development of a Razorback Greenway Corridor Key Place Plan.
  • New Business Item 8: Resolution supporting a grant application for Greenhouse Road construction ($9,296,000 federal request, $2,324,000 match).
  • New Business Item 9: Resolution supporting a grant application for Hwys. 12/279/Vaughn Road intersection improvements ($4,411,236 federal request).
  • Utility Board Item 1: Resolution to purchase a heavy-duty forklift ($108,840).
  • Utility Board Item 2: Resolution to declare surplus water pipe ($1,426.48).
  • Utility Board Item 3: Resolution authorizing a sewer model expansion agreement with Olsson, Inc. ($165,000).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ben Hunter (Resident): Opposed the R2 rezoning of the Rainbow Farm Road parcel (RZ26-0007), citing incompatibility with the surrounding R1 neighborhoods and the impracticality of the planned Shell Road extension due to geographical constraints.
• Kevin Butler (Utility Board Member, Plan Bentonville Steering Committee): Opposed the T6 (10-story) height allowance in the Community Code, calling it detrimental to growth and arguing it should be accomplished through a specific carve-out rather than a city-wide district. He criticized the public outreach process, stating the PlanBentonville website was not effectively updated with the final draft code.
• Elaric McClure (Resident): Complained about low-frequency noise pollution from The Momentary, stating it causes sleep disturbance and raises his heart rate, adversely affecting his health.

Discussion Items

Henderson Annexation & Easement Vacation (New Business Items 4 & 5)

• The Council questioned staff about infrastructure requirements for the Henderson Annexation. Staff confirmed no immediate city-funded improvements are required and utilities are adjacent. The annexation was approved.
• A public hearing was held for the vacation of a utility/drainage easement (VAC26-0010). No public comments were made, and the ordinance was approved.

Rezoning Rainbow Farm Road - RZ26-0007 (Planning Item 4)

• This item generated extensive debate. Councilmember Octavio Sanchez provided a density analysis, noting the significant increase in potential units under R2 over R1. Discussion focused on the developer's required half-street improvements, the costly challenge of extending Shell Road across Little Osage Creek, and a lack of aligned infrastructure requirements with the City of Centerton. Councilmember Bill Burkhart argued that getting half a road built is a community benefit and that R2 density is needed for workforce housing.
• A motion to approve the Planning Commission's 7-0 recommendation for R2 failed (3 in favor, 4 opposed). Councilmembers Siva, Suter, and Burkhart voted for approval; Councilmembers Sanchez, Patterson, Acre, and Hook voted against. The rezoning was denied.

Bentonville Community Code, Zoning Map & Downtown Overlay (Planning Items 8, 9, 10)

• The bulk of the meeting was dedicated to the proposed Community Code. A straw poll of the Council on the T6 (10-story) height limit showed a 4-4 split on allowing 10 stories under Standard Review. The Council reached a consensus to allow T6 only under Enhanced Review.
• Councilmember Burkhart raised extensive concerns about the increased development costs for 10-acre and smaller residential projects under the new code, including mandatory civic spaces, mid-block trails, enhanced streetscapes, and the resulting increase in POA dues. He argued this will raise housing costs, contrary to the city's stated goals for affordability.
• The Council gave clear direction to staff for amendments to the code:
  1. Civic space requirements waived for sites under 10 acres. Exemption extended to 20 acres for sites within half a mile of a public park.
  2. Off-site drainage improvement clause removed, deferring entirely to the City Drainage Manual.
  3. Active use requirements on T5/T6 ground floors aligned with the glazing percentage requirement (e.g., 50%).
  4. T6 (10-story) zoning permitted only through an Enhanced Review process.
• A motion to table the Community Code, Zoning Map, and Downtown Overlay District Map passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Rezoning Denied: The rezoning of 3720 N Rainbow Farm Road from A-1 to R-2 was denied (3-4 vote).
• Code and Maps Tabled: The Bentonville Community Code, Official Zoning Map, and Downtown Center Overlay District Map were tabled to the April 14, 2026 City Council meeting. Staff will take the proposed amendments to the Planning Commission before returning to the Council.
• Approvals: The Henderson Annexation, Utility/Drainage Easement Vacation, Final Plats for Walmart Campus Phases 15 & 16, Lot Split in Deming's Addition, Crystal Bridges PUD Amendment, and two Downtown Rezonings were all approved.

Other Business & Announcements

• The Council recognized the successful Naturalization Ceremony hosted at the Bentonville Public Library (46 new citizens from 15 countries). Bentonville will host again next March.
• The State of the City and Volunteer Appreciation Night is scheduled for April 2, 2026.
• The Bentonville Running Festival Half Marathon is scheduled for April 4, 2026, with a record 5,100 registrants from 44 states and 3 countries.
• Staff distributed the 2025 Development Report.