JP Coger's Special Edition on Washington County Planning Board Meeting Agenda
The Washington County Planning Board meets Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Please note the change of location for this meeting - due to early voting at the courthouse - this meeting will be held at the Washington County Election Commission Building, 2721 S. Brink Drive, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701.
All Board Meetings are live streamed on the Washington County YouTube channel. Click here to watch. The board always allows for public comment time before they vote on any item.
There are several items on the Washington County Planning Board agenda that deserve a closer look, and it is a long agenda.
There was simply too much information to cover in my regular newsletter on Sunday, so I’ve put together this special edition with summaries of the proposals. I will not make a habit of sending you two weekly emails with updates.
Two of these agenda items are on for both a Conditional Use Permit hearing and a Large-Scale Development hearing. I do not recall this happening in the past — that both CUP and LSD for same applicant/project were heard on one night, but maybe I’ve just missed it. In any event, it looks like in both cases the CUP will be heard first and then the LSD.
Please take a few minutes to review the items and share this update with neighbors, friends, or anyone who may be affected by these decisions. Public participation matters, and people need the opportunity to learn about proposals that could affect their homes and communities.
DSD Razorback Division Dump Site HI-CUP. Read the application and staff report HERE. Applicant: Carly Spencer; Location: 15953 Harp Road (WC 3803), Fayetteville, Arkansas. Proposed Use: Commercial/Industrial Construction Spoils Dump Site. 18.35 acres more or less.
The staff report describes 15–25 trucks daily, but also up to 600 loads per week. Those describe very different operating conditions. At 600 loads over five days, that would mean approximately 120 loaded arrivals and 120 departures daily—about 27 truck movements an hour during a nine-hour day, assuming each delivery truck leaves afterward. That is my calculation, not a traffic study. (Pages 1–2, 19.)
I'm not sure when it says “600 loads,” does that mean 600 loaded deliveries, with return trips additional?
Wheeler Fire Department describes Harp Road as “one of the most poorly maintained roads in our jurisdiction” and requires a maintenance and design plan protecting emergency access. The county engineer specifically warns that 600 loaded dump trucks per week will affect county roads. The Road Superintendent identifies weight restrictions on the west Hamestring Road bridge and says trucks exceeding those limits must approach from the east. (Pages 4, 29, 70.)
The applicant offers to contribute to road maintenance, but I do not see a defined financial commitment. (Page 37.)
The applicant reports approximately 116,000 compacted cubic yards already placed, with another 80,000 proposed, for 196,000 total. Approximately 59% of the anticipated final volume is therefore already present. (Page 56.)
DEQ’s August 31 letter approves the described beneficial use of concrete and clean fill, states that no solid waste permit is required for that operation, and expressly leaves other required permits to the owner/operator. It seems to me that it relies on the applicant’s representations. (Pages 68–69.)
The applicant’s material list includes asphalt, while the approval letter expressly identifies concrete and clean fill. The plan says incoming loads “may be visually inspected.” That would seem to leave inspection discretionary. (Page 52.)
Segulah House CUP (Part 1 and Part 2). Read Part 1 staff report and application HERE. Read Part 2 HERE. Applicant: Clint Karstetter (Karstetter Johnston); Location: West of 889 N. Centennial Ave. U.S. Hwy 71, West Fork, Arkansas 72774. Proposed Use: Transitional Women Housing Facility. 27.08 acres more or less.
The applicant is requesting a Conditional Use Permit to operate a supportive residential community for up to six women who have completed rehabilitation programs. The subject property is 27.08 acres, of which approximately 4.23 acres will be disturbed for the project. The residences will be occupied and operated in a manner consistent with normal residential use, with one employee on site at all times.
The proposed project site will include six residential buildings (five 18’x60’ and one 12’x32’) and one community building (16’x50’). The buildings will be connected to the City of West Fork sewer system and will consist of modified steel shipping containers placed on open, elevated foundations.
Access to the site will be provided by a 20’ wide gravel driveway that passes through West Fork city limits and begins at North Centennial Avenue/AR Highway 71. Thirteen standard parallel parking spaces and one ADA-compliant parking space will be provided for residents. Fire protection will be provided by an on-site wet/fire pond with a dry hydrant/standpipe.
Highway 112 Land Development HI-CUP (Part 1, Part 2). Applicant: Kevin Moore (Horne & Shifrin, Inc.) Location: 4011 N. 112 Road, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72704. Read Part 1 HERE and Part 2 HERE.
This is a “temporary excavation operation” to supply fill for the Highway 112 widening project. The stated schedule is approximately 12 months, not exceeding 18 months, with work 7 a.m.–5 p.m. daily and up to 200 trucks entering and leaving each day. (Part 1, pp. 1–2.)
Garrett Excavating proposes disturbing approximately 19.10 acres of a 27.12-acre property, removing material from two existing rises. The work would occur in two successive phases, using Highway 112 for the eastern phase and Salem Road for the western phase. One important discrepancy: The staff report says no stormwater detention is proposed, but the October 14 revised plans and report in Part 2 include three detention basins. (Part 1, p. 2; Part 2, pp. 1–2, 18–19.)
McCullough and Gilmore Minor Subdivision - Applicant: Brittany Gilmore. Location: 10920 N. Old Cincinnati Rd., Lincoln, Arkansas 72704. The Planning Board will consider a request to divide a 3.03-acre property into two lots: one acre and 2.03 acres. The property is located at 10920 N. Old Cincinnati Road near Lincoln, in Quorum Court District 13.
The land is zoned agricultural/single-family residential, with a maximum density of one residence per acre. The application identifies two residential units and proposes continued single-family residential use.
Several of the letters attached to the application mention concerns about easements and the septic tank location and lines for the septic. This is likely something that the Planning Board will discuss at its meeting.
The Road Department reported no concerns. Other proposed conditions address septic approvals, utility easements, and any necessary road-access permits.
Replat Tracts D-1 and D-2 Johnlil Subdivision - Applicant: Bates & Associates. Location: 3699 E Wyman Road, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701. The Planning Board will consider a request to adjust the property line between two existing tracts in the Johnlil Subdivision on East Wyman Road in Fayetteville. The property is in Quorum Court District 15, represented by JP Butch Pond.
After the proposed adjustment:
Tract D-1 would decrease from 3.41 acres to 2.79 acres.
Tract D-2 would increase from 3.02 acres to 3.63 acres.
The request would leave two tracts; it does not propose creating an additional lot. Both are zoned agricultural/single-family residential.
The Arkansas Department of Health initially questioned whether the septic permit for the proposed development had been revalidated. In a later email, the department confirmed that it had been revalidated in August and that the reevaluation would satisfy its requirement for the replat.
After looking at this, I am not 100% certain the final plat accurately shows the septic areas, utility easements, and access arrangements after the boundary adjustment; but again, that will likely be discussed at the meeting and we will know more then.
Replat Lots 730C and 730D Wedington Woods Subdivision - Applicant: Joel Alderson. The Planning Board will consider a request to adjust the boundary between two lots in the Wedington Woods Subdivision at 15325 Red Fox Drive, Fayetteville. The property is in Quorum Court District 7, represented by JP Charles Dean.
The proposed adjustment would change the lot sizes as follows:
Lot 730C: from 1.07 acres to 1.11 acres.
Lot 730D: from 1.37 acres to 1.33 acres.
The request would leave two lots. The property is zoned agricultural/single-family residential, with a stated maximum density of one residential unit per acre.
A future duplex is also proposed. The staff report says that, if the replat is approved, the applicant intends to seek a Conditional Use Permit to convert the existing church building into a duplex.
The duplex is a future request; the item currently before the Planning Board is the replat.
Page 16 of the report shows a rough drawing of the “...Proposed 3 Bedroom Duplex.”
Segulah House Preliminary Large-Scale Development (Part 1, Part 2) - Same address as the CUP summary above.
This LSD and the CUP above are two applications for the same project, each addressing a different question. The applicant submitted them together, so the Planning Board can consider both on Thursday. They are not two separate housing developments.
The applicant’s engineer expressly says the Preliminary Large-Scale Development plans and Conditional Use Permit application were submitted together. (Large-Scale Development report, Part 1, p. 12.)
Highway 112 Land Development Preliminary High-Intensity Large-Scale Development (Part 1, Part 2 - The Planning Board will consider preliminary development plans for the same excavation project discussed under the Highway 112 Conditional Use Permit. Garrett Excavating proposes removing material from approximately 19 acres between Highway 112 and Salem Road for use in the highway widening project.
→ The work is proposed in two phases, with up to 200 trucks entering and leaving the site daily. The county Road Superintendent has warned that Salem/Swim Ranch Road may not withstand that traffic without significant damage.
Copied from application: “Construction activities are anticipated to occur between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily, with approximately three employees on site. Up to 200 trucks are anticipated to enter and leave the property each day to transport excavated material for the Highway 112 Widening Project. Dust will be controlled through water application when conditions are suitable.”
The staff report says no stormwater detention is proposed, but revised engineering plans show three detention basins. After revisions, the county’s consulting engineer said the documents looked good.
The report says final development approval would occur after the work is completed.
Bill’s Fence Final Large Scale Development - Applicant: Earthplan Design Alternatives (EDA). Location: 11560 Greasy Valley, Prairie Grove, Arkansas 72753. The applicant, Earthplan Design Alternatives, is requesting Final Large-Scale Development approval of an office and operations facility for Bill’s Fence Company. The relocation is necessary because the company’s previous property was purchased by the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT).
The Preliminary Large-Scale Development Permit for this project was approved by the Planning Board on 5/1/2025. At the time the initial project proposal was submitted, the property was located within the Prairie Grove planning area, in a portion of the county not subject to county zoning regulations (the No-County-Zoning Area).
Therefore, a Conditional Use Permit was not required. The property has since been zoned for Agricultural and Single-Family Residential uses, with a maximum density of one (1) residential unit per acre. Therefore, any future changes, additions, or improvements to the approved project scope will be subject to review by the Planning Department to determine whether a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) or other applicable land-use approvals, such as a Large-Scale Development (LSD), is required.
The proposed hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional Saturday maintenance work, as necessary. Bill’s Fence Company employees will assemble fencing components and gather materials at the facility. However, most fencing installation activities will take place at customers’
properties.
The project site includes a 672-square-foot (42' x 16') prefabricated building to serve as the office, storage space, and an operations facility. The site has five (5) parking spaces, including one (1) ADA- compliant space, as well as two laydown yards. The lower laydown yard is approximately 27,000 square feet and the upper
laydown yard is approximately 15,675 square feet.
Access to the upper laydown yard is provided by a U-loop driveway connecting to Greasy Valley Road (WC 8).
Additional site improvements include an enclosed dumpster, employee work areas, temporary storage buildings, and a detention pond. The detention pond has a 100-year Water Service Elevation of 1,210.09 feet, a Top of Pond elevation of 1,211.00 feet, and a storage capacity of approximately 9,595 cubic feet. The detention pond was sized to accommodate full development of the property.
A 5,000-square-foot building and a 2,400-square-foot pole barn are also shown on the plans as future additions. These structures are not part of, and are not approved under, the current Large-Scale Development project and would require separate review and approval.
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