Benton Moves Annexations, Rezoning & Business Developments Forward, Prepares for June 9th meeting

The City of Benton is preparing to address a new slate of ordinances, including property rezonings and zoning code amendments, at its upcoming meeting scheduled for June 9, 2026, at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers.

The committee’s recent legislative push reflects an active period of growth and regulatory adjustment for the city, particularly as it adapts to recent state-level changes in municipal jurisdiction. Read more below.

Major Subdivisions and Annexations Advanced At the committee’s May 12th meeting—attended by Mayor Tom Farmer, Community Development Director Jason Lyon, and a quorum of council members—housing and land expansion took center stage.

Mountain View Road

An ordinance was forwarded to the council to annex lands along Mountain View Road and Dobbs Creek, carrying a proposed R2 zoning designation.

Lyon explained that this property had previously been brought forward multiple times for a preliminary plat while it sat within the city’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). However, following the passage of Act 314, which effectively removed the ETJ, the city is legally barred from reviewing development plans until the land is fully annexed into the city limits. “Due to ordinances passed by the Council, developments cannot receive city sewer or water utilities until they are officially annexed,” Lyon noted.

The proposed development is expected to bring roughly 240 new residential lots, featuring a minimum lot size of $7,000\text{ sq ft}$. The project mirrors existing neighborhoods to the north and east on W. Jackman. City staff, alongside Director Richie, have been working in coordination with applicant representative Jonathan Hope to ensure the transition moves forward smoothly.

Scott-Salem Road & White Oak Drive Annexation

A second annexation ordinance was approved for lands at the northeast corner of Scott-Salem Road and White Oak Drive. This was initially erroneously listed on the agenda as Salem Road and Dobbs Creek. Lyon clarified the exact location of the 2-acre tract is Scott-Salem Rd & White Oak Dr. The property has preliminary plans drawn for approximately six new homes. The item has already undergone public hearings through the county judge’s office, and the committee is prepared to officially confirm its R2 zoning status at the June meeting.

Commercial Upgrades and a Barber College

Beyond residential growth, the committee greenlit pivotal commercial changes:

Highway 5 North Rezoning:
An ordinance to rezone a two-thirds acre piece of property at 2501 Hwy 5 N from R2 (Residential) to C2 (Commercial) was sent to the council. The cleared land previously housed a connection from Boardwalk Drive for a Benton Utilities pump station. The rezoning aligns the tract with surrounding C2 properties, paving the way for a proposed six-lot commercial subdivision.
Military Road Barber College:
The committee cleared the way for a conditional use permit to open a barber college at 1220 Military Road within a C2 zone. Director Lyon noted that city staff allowed the applicant to utilize an old women’s clinic space while awaiting final conditional approval. The academy is expected to serve 12 to 15 students, and organizers confirmed that its strip center location provides more than enough parking.
Historic District Updates:
The committee acknowledged the approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness for 110 N. Market St.. Bosley Construction will handle the new signage and façade updates to transition the building into a fresh office space. This is the former location of Shear Impressions Salon.

June 9 Meeting Agenda

Led by Committee Chair Ann Spencer-Cole and Vice Chair Evelyn Reed, the committee will formally approve the minutes of the May session before diving into a fresh docket sourced from the June 2 Planning & Zoning meeting.

Key items scheduled for review include an ordinance for a conditional use permit for an accessory building on vacant land at 221 Clark St., a rezoning request at 1218 River St. from R2 to HI (Heavy Industrial), and a zoning rollback at Dobbs Creek on Mountain View Road from R2 down to R1.

: 1218 River St

: 221 Clark St

The city’s planning staff is also expected to request that a broader ordinance amending multiple definitions within the municipal zoning code be tabled until July to allow for further review.

Meanwhile, both the Public Utilities Commission—led by Council Member Judd Hart—and the Advertising and Promotion Commission have reported no new items for the upcoming June agenda.

Meeting Details

What: Benton Commissions Committee Meeting
When: Tuesday, June 09, 2026, at 5:00 PM
Where: Council Chambers, City of Benton
Open to the Public: Yes, in accordance with the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).