Plan Bentonville Moves Forward with Community Feedback on Future Land Use Map
On September 8, the Plan Bentonville Steering Committee reviewed public input received on a draft version of an updated future land use map for the city of Bentonville. The input was gathered from mid-July to early August and will significantly influence the final map, which is expected to guide the city’s growth for the next 25 years.
As the first phase of Plan Bentonville, the updated land use plan is crucial in shaping the city’s development into the future. The draft map categorizes parcels of land into 12 new “place types,” which serve as the building blocks for visualizing the character and function of each area.
- These place types are designed to reflect the community’s aspirations and will determine how the city grows in sectors like housing, transportation, and public services.
- The city aims to create a vision for its growth that aligns with the community’s values and goals, ensuring Bentonville remains a desirable place to live, work, and recreate.
The city launched an online portal on July 18, allowing residents to explore and comment on the proposed place types. In addition, several in-person events, including open houses and pop-ups, were held to encourage community participation. This collaborative approach has led to a substantial number of comments, with nearly 1,500 submitted by August 9.
The Steering Committee is currently analyzing the feedback and will work with consultant firm DPZ CoDesign to refine the future land use map. Once finalized, the map will be presented to the Planning Commission and subsequently to the City Council for review and approval.
In the next phase of Plan Bentonville, the city will focus on updating its zoning and land development codes into a unified development code. This updated code will ensure that zoning regulations align with the community’s vision for growth as outlined in the future land use map. The city plans to engage the community further in the coming months to ensure that the zoning code effectively supports the city’s growth goals.
Efforts are underway to improve public understanding of the zoning component. Suggestions include creating a simplified guide to explain zoning concepts and utilizing social media campaigns to engage the community more effectively.
