Bentonville Planning Commission Meeting - September 15, 2026

The Bentonville Planning Commission convened on September 15, 2026, for a Tech Review session at 4:30 PM followed by a regular meeting at 5:00 PM at City Hall. The commission addressed a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) for night work at the Bentonville Health Care Campus, a Large Scale Development (LSD) for the Botanical Garden, and multiple rezoning requests, alongside an update on the Community Code Amendments.

Consent Calendar

• Meeting Minutes: The minutes from the September 1, 2026, meeting were approved unanimously.
• Consent Agenda (4 items): The following items were approved unanimously without discussion:
  • Lot 1 of Oakarine Subdivision Property Line Adjustment (PLA26-0024)
  • Lots 4 and 5 of Roth Estates Property Line Adjustment (PLA26-0016)
  • Utility Easement Vacation at 702 SE Yale (VAC26-0042)
  • Lot 1, Phase 24 of Walmart Campus Final Plat (FP26-0008)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bentonville Health Care Campus TUP (TUP26-0002): Lourdes Doran (3200 NE Sixth St) voiced strong opposition on behalf of neighbors to the nighttime work, citing disruption from noise, bright lights, vibrations, and dust.
• Palmer Revocable Trust Rezoning (RZ26-0042):
  • Matt O'Reilly (101 NE Fifth St) spoke in opposition, stating the rezoning would set a dangerous precedent for North Main Street, opening the corridor to townhome development without proper zoning adjacency.
  • Kim Valentine (601 N Main) spoke in opposition, emphasizing that a zoning change grants permanent property rights that could be exploited by future owners for incompatible development, recommending a variance instead.
  • Mark Haney (848 NW C St), the builder representing the trust, spoke in support. He cited the staff report to argue the T4.1 zoning is appropriate for the location five blocks from the square and consistent with the Community Plan's Walkable Neighborhood Place Type.

Discussion Items

• TUP26-0002 (Bentonville Health Care Campus Night Work): The commission considered a 6-month TUP allowing Linco to perform concrete pours at night for a parking garage and building. A key discussion point was neighbor notification. The commission crafted a condition, agreed to by the applicant, requiring written notice and door hangers to addresses within a 200-foot radius (including Prairie and Levi Lanes). The notice must include a work schedule and a contact number. Discussion also covered standard construction hours (6 AM to 7 PM) and ensuring other site work complies.
• LSD26-0038 (Botanical Garden): Commissioners discussed parking lot placement, with some expressing concern that a proposed lot on Central Avenue would obstruct views of Bud's House and the downtown entrance. The applicant argued the lot (26 of 43 total spaces) was essential for functionality and code compliance, preserving a central lawn. Traffic was expected primarily via trails. The commission secured a condition for an enhanced, native evergreen screen along the lot's north and east borders.
• Massary Rezoning (RZ26-0044): Applicant Dominic Massary requested a rezone from R-1 to T3.1 at 201 SW E Street. The purpose is to allow moving a garage out of the right-of-way and expanding the house footprint. No public comments were made.
• Materesa Corporation Rezoning (RZ26-0043): A rezone of 901 E Central Avenue from R-1 to T3.2 was reviewed. No applicant or public comments were offered.
• Palmer Revocable Trust Rezoning (RZ26-0042): Because the statutory notice sign had been posted for less than the required 15 days, the commission could not take action. The public hearing was held and testimony was collected but discussion was deferred.
• Community Code Amendments: Staff updated the commission on revisions, including clarifying the Standard Review vs. Enhanced Review criteria for rezonings. An update on the City Council's parking discussion was provided, noting a directive to scope and fund a comprehensive city parking plan. The update also covered refining parking reduction language to ensure logical walkability (e.g., requiring feasible access to a greenway).

Key Outcomes

• Meeting Minutes & Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
• TUP26-0002 (Healthcare Campus): Approved (7-0) , conditioned on a 200-foot notification radius (letter and door hanger) detailing the night work schedule and a contact number for complaints.
• LSD26-0038 (Botanical Garden): Approved (7-0) , conditioned on an enhanced evergreen screening buffer of native Arkansas species on the north and east sides of the Central Avenue parking lot.
• RZ26-0044 (Massary Rezoning): Approved (7-0) .
• RZ26-0043 (Materesa Rezoning): Approved (7-0) .
• RZ26-0042 (Palmer Revocable Trust Rezoning): Tabled unanimously to the October 20, 2026 meeting to complete the public notice period. No substantive discussion or vote on the merits was held.
• Community Code Amendments: Update received; no formal action taken. Staff to continue refining standard review criteria and parking management language.