Council grants sidewalk and street‑improvement waivers; asks for 5‑year bill‑of‑assurance for Deering Road connection
Summary
The council approved several planning waivers on July 22, including a request to keep an existing 5‑foot sidewalk where the new master street plan called for 10 feet, and it approved a five‑year bill of assurance in lieu of immediate construction for a Deering Road connection tied to the Vail at Watkins apartment project.
The Springdale City Council voted July 22 on multiple street‑improvement and sidewalk waivers tied to current development reviews.
A waiver request for a commercial project on Elm Springs Road (Maven commercial center) asking to keep an existing five‑foot sidewalk — rather than upgrade to the 10‑foot sidewalk required by the city’s newer master street plan — was approved by an 8–0 vote. Planning staff said the parcel was platted in 2022 under the prior master plan and the neighboring properties have five‑foot sidewalks.
The council considered a waiver tied to a large multifamily development called Vail at Watkins, which would otherwise be required to build a planned local connector segment of Deering Road through the project. The developer agreed to dedicate the full right of way for the future road but requested not to build that portion immediately. Council members debated options including a payment in lieu of construction or a bill of assurance; a motion adopting option 4 — denial of immediate construction but acceptance of a bill of assurance with a period not to exceed five years — passed 8–0. Council members and staff clarified the right of way will be dedicated regardless; the bill of assurance is intended to hold the developer responsible if future construction is required within the agreed term.
A sidewalk waiver for a single‑family dwelling at 2353 North Mountain Road was approved 8–0 under Option 1.
Why it matters: Waivers and bills of assurance affect whether infrastructure is constructed now or deferred; the decisions can reduce upfront developer costs while preserving the city’s legal claim to future right of way and to require construction within a set period.
Discussion vs. formal action: The council’s votes were formal approvals of the waivers and of the bill of assurance option. Council members discussed timing, right‑of‑way dedication, and the potential costs of building Deering Road and noted that the apartment developer is also contributing to improvements on 60 Fourth Street.
Ending: Planning staff will document the bill of assurance and right‑of‑way dedication and will require typical engineering reviews when future connections or construction is proposed.
