The Benton Planning Commission will consider changes to several residential properties on Tuesday night. This includes potential developments at Gattin Rd, Edison Av, N Market St, and Sorrells Rd, as well as subdivisions off Congo Rd, Wise Rd, and Jackman St.
Read the full agenda with images below.
BENTON PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
AGENDA
Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026
6:00 PM
1) Establish a Quorum/Call to Order
2) Statement of FOIA Compliance & Roll Call
3) Approve Minutes from February 3rd, 2026 Planning Commission Meeting (See full minutes below)
4) Approve Minutes from February 5th, 2026 Special Meeting (See full minutes below)
5) Board of Adjustments
6) Planning Commission
Visit MySaline’s page for the list of Benton’s zoning abbreviations: www.mysaline.com/benton-zoning-regs.
a. 4106 Gattin Rd [Rezone from R2 to R5; Tabled from 02.03.2026] (max 4 units)
b. 3919 Edison Ave [Rezone from R2 to R5] (max 4 units)
c. 734 N Market Street [Rezone from R2 to R7] (max 8 units)
d. #805-19925-001 [Sorrells Rd; Rezone from AG to R5] (max 4 units)
e. Preserve at The Woodlands Phase 4 [Preliminary Plat]
f. Reserve “Stillwater Landing” @ Hurricane Lake Estates [Preliminary Plat]
g. Riverview Addition [Final Plat]
7) Other Business
Meeting Adjourned
PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES:
CITY OF BENTON, ARKANSAS
Planning & Zoning Meeting
Tuesday February 3rd, 2026
6:00 P.M.
Chairman Stilwell called the meeting to order. Roll call resulted in 1 member[s] being absent.
| Members Present | Members Absent |
| Carl West | |
| Brett Chumley | |
| Lois Burks | |
| Darrell Wood | |
| John Clements | |
| Pamela Gibson | |
| James Stilwell | |
| Andy Warford | |
| Mark Chilton | |
| Bruce Thomas, Interim Community Development Director | |
| Chelsea Matthews, City Planner |
Approval of the minutes of January 6th, 2026, Planning Commission Meeting
Chairman Stilwell asked if there were any additions, deletions, or corrections to the minutes. Commissioner Warford makes a motion to approve the minutes, as is. Commissioner Chilton second. Motion carried.
Board of Adjustments
318 W. Sevier Street [Variance for Rear BSL] – Chairman Stilwell asked Ms. Matthews to introduce the variance request. Ms. Matthews reads the memorandum that states that William Brister [property owner] is requesting approval of a variance for an existing storage building located 5’ from his rear property line. The purpose of this variance is to allow a new storage building to replace the existing one. This property is located within a TC2 [Town Center] zone, which required a minimum of a 15’ rear setback. Chairman Stilwell calls for any questions or comments regarding this request. Mr. Brister speaks in favor of this request. Commissioner West makes a motion to approve this request. Commissioner Clements second. Motion carried 7-0.
1709 Military Rd [Variance for Sign Height for Sonic] – *Commissioner Warford recuses himself from this item* – Chairman Stilwell asked Ms. Matthews to introduce the variance request. Ms. Matthews reads the memorandum that states that Sonic [property owner] is requesting approval of a variance for the height of a new sign. This property is currently zoned C2 [General Commercial] and in this zone, a sign height of 8’ is allowed per the sign ordinance. The applicant is requesting this variance to allow a 30’ tall sign. Chairman Stilwell calls for any questions or comments regarding this request. Mr. Gene Morris with Sonic speaks in favor of this request and states that the other signs along Military Rd exceed the 8’ requirement due to being approved prior to the current sign ordinance becoming effective. Commissioner Chilton states that the point of the 8’ sign ordinance is to be able to have all signs along Military Rd eventually become 8’ in height. Commissioner West states that because this property has always been for Sonic and their previous sign was above 8’, he believes the City should allow Sonic another sign the same height as the old one, which was 30’. Commissioner West makes a motion to approve the request. Commissioner Clements second. Item fails 4-2 with Commissioners Chumley, Burks, Gibson, and Chilton voting “no”.
Planning Commission
734 N. Market Street – This item was withdrawn from the agenda via the applicant.
707 Columbia Rd [Rezone from C2 to R5] – *Commissioner Warford rejoins the meeting* – Chairman Stilwell asked Ms. Matthews to introduce the rezone request. Ms. Matthews reads the memorandum that states that Richardson Engineering, on behalf of the property owner, is requesting approval of a rezone at 707 Columbia Ave. The current zone for this property is C2 [General Commercial], and the applicant is requesting this property be rezoned to R5 [Multi Family District]. Chairman Stilwell calls for any questions or comments regarding this request. Tristin Phillips with Richardson Engineering speaks in favor of this request. Commissioner Gibson makes a motion to approve this request. Commissioner West second. Motion carried 7-0.
Longview Street [Rezone from R2 to R5] – Chairman Stilwell asked Ms. Matthews to introduce the rezone request. Ms. Matthews reads the memorandum that states that Tyler Billson [property owner] is requesting approval of a rezone at parcel #800-06227-000. The property is currently zoned R2 [Single Family District Detached Housing] and the applicant is requesting to rezone to R5 [Multi Family District]. The purpose of this rezone is to be able to build a quadplex at this property. Chairman Stilwell calls for any questions or comments regarding this request. Mr. Billson speaks in favor of this item. Commissioner West makes a motion to approve this request. Commissioner Chilton second. Motion carried 7-0.
4106 Gattin Rd [Rezone from R2 to R5] – Chairman Stilwell asked Ms. Matthews to introduce the rezone request. Ms. Matthews reads the memorandum that states that Hope Consulting, LLC, on behalf of the property owner, is requesting approval of a rezone at 4106 Gattin Rd. The current zone for this property is R2 [Single Family District Detached Housing] and the applicant is requesting to rezone to R5 [Multi Family District]. Mrs. Matthews states that she has received 5 emails with opposing letters as of date. Chairman Stilwell calls for any questions or comments regarding this request. Jonathan Hope, with Hope Consulting, speaks in favor of this request. Multiple citizens from the surrounding area speak against this item. The applicant requests to table this item until the following month’s meeting. Commissioner Gibson makes a motion to approve this request. Commissioner West Second. Item Tabled.
1601 Hudson Street [Site Plan] – *Commissioner Chilton recuses himself from this item* – Chairman Stilwell asked Ms. Matthews to introduce the site plan. Ms. Matthews reads the memorandum that states that GarNat Engineering LLC, on behalf of Jeremy Folsom, is requesting approval of a multi-family site plan to be located at 1601 Hudson Street. This property is currently zoned R7 [Multi Family District] and 16 units per acre are allowed for multifamily dwellings. Chairman Stilwell calls for any questions or comments regarding this request. Vernon Williams, with GarNat Engineering, speaks in favor of this request and states that there will be a total of 46 units or 23 duplexes. Commissioner West makes a motion to approve this request. Commissioner Burks second. Motion carried 7-0.
Gail’s Ridge [Rezone from LI to R3] – *Commissioner Chilton enters back into the meeting*
Chairman Stilwell asked Ms. Matthews to introduce the rezone request. Ms. Matthews reads the memorandum that states that Hope Consulting LLC [under contract] is requesting approval of a rezone at parcel #805-06081-000. The property is currently zoned LI [Light Industrial], and he is requesting it be rezoned to R3 [Single Family District]. The purpose of this rezone request is to be able to build a single-family subdivision on this property. Chairman Stilwell calls for any questions or comments regarding this request. Jonathan Hope speaks in favor of this request and states that he will be doing over 3,000 feet of street improvements on the existing street due to the narrowness of it. Two citizens living in the area speak against this item. Commissioner Warford makes a motion to approve this request. Commissioner West second. Motion carried 7-0.
Gail’s Ridge [Preliminary Plat] – Chairman Stilwell asked Ms. Matthews to introduce the preliminary plat. Ms. Matthews reads the memorandum that states that Hope Consulting LLC [under contract] is requesting approval of a 248 [R3] single family lot subdivision to be located off of Sleepy Village Rd [805-06081-000]. This property was approved a rezone by Planning Commission but will still need approval from City Council so preliminary plat approval will be contingent upon that rezone approval. Chairman Stilwell calls for any questions or comments regarding this request. Mr. Hope speaks in favor of this item and clarifies that access off Boone Rd. will be gates with emergency access only. Two citizens living in the area speak against this item. Commissioner West makes a motion to approve this request. Commissioner Warford second. Motion carried 7-0.
Madeleine Grove [Rezone from LI to R3] – Chairman Stilwell asked Ms. Matthews to introduce the rezone request. Ms. Matthews reads the memorandum that states that Hope Consulting LLC [under contract] is requesting approval of a rezone at parcel #805-06079-000. The property is currently zoned LI [Light Industrial], and he is requesting it be rezoned to R3 [Single Family District]. The purpose of this rezone request is to be able to build a single-family subdivision on this property. Chairman Stilwell calls for any questions or comments regarding this request. Jonathan Hope speaks in favor of this request and states that he will be making over 3,000 feet of street improvements on the existing street due to the narrowness of it. Two citizens living in the area speak against this item. Commissioner West makes a motion to approve this request. Commissioner Chilton second. Motion carried 7-0.
Madeleine Grove [Preliminary Plat] – Chairman Stilwell asked Ms. Matthews to introduce the preliminary plat. Ms. Matthews reads the memorandum that states that Hope Consulting LLC [under contract] is requesting approval of a 144 [R3] single family lot subdivision to be located off of Sleepy Village Rd [805-06079-000]. This property was approved a rezone by Planning Commission but will still need approval from City Council so preliminary plat approval will be contingent upon that rezone approval. Chairman Stilwell calls for any questions or comments regarding this request. Mr. Hope speaks in favor of this item and clarifies that access off Boone Rd. will be gates with emergency access only. Two citizens living in the area speak against this item. Commissioner Burks makes a motion to approve this request. Commissioner West second. Motion carried 7-0.
Other Business
CITY OF BENTON, ARKANSAS
Special Meeting
Tuesday February 5th, 2026
6:00 P.M.
Chairman Stilwell called the meeting to order. Roll call resulted in 2 member[s] being absent.
| Members Present | Members Absent |
| Carl West | |
| Brett Chumley | |
| Lois Burks | |
| Darrell Wood | |
| John Clements | |
| Pamela Gibson | |
| James Stilwell | |
| Andy Warford | |
| Mark Chilton | |
| Jason Lyon, Community Development Director | |
| Chelsea Matthews, City Planner |
Board of Adjustments
Planning Commission
School Zone Changes – Ms. Matthews states that this Special Meeting is in regards to the proposed legislation changes to the School [S] zone. Currently, the Ordinance states that School zones are for public schools only. Ms. Matthews states that Community Development wants to take the word “public” out of the ordinance to allow for public and private schools instead of just public. Commissioner Gibson had previously stated that if we take out the word “public” that we should also remove paragraph B. from the ordinance regarding site plan submissions. She states that taking this out would require all site plans for schools go through the same approval processes. City Attorney Baxter Drennon states that this change would make everything equal and follow State laws. Commissioner West makes a motion to approve this request. Commissioner Burks second. Motion carried 6-0.
Other Business
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