Centerton City Council Meeting Recap – March 11, 2025

Even though yesterday was my birthday, I still made time to attend the Centerton City Council meeting—because staying informed on what’s happening in our city is a priority for me (and for my clients, too!). With a packed agenda covering impact fees, rezoning approvals, infrastructure projects, the ongoing sewer capacity crisis, and the well-earned retirement of a beloved member of the Centerton Police Department, this was one meeting you’ll definitely want to catch up on.

Key Discussions & Decisions

Impact Fees: Approved with Adjustments & Additional Legal Review

After months of debate, Ordinance 2025-02 was finally approved, adopting new impact fees for residential and commercial development.

📌 What’s Changed?

• The biggest adjustment was a lowering of commercial impact fees, following concerns that the original rates were too high and could deter business growth.
• The city will send the final fee structure to be reviewed by a lawyer with experience in impact fee structuring to ensure it meets legal and industry standards.
• A discussion took place regarding the possibility of offering credits in the future to large-scale developers who contribute to significant infrastructure projects, such as funding a new traffic light, as an alternative to paying their full impact fees.

📌 Timing of Payment Debated

• A major discussion centered around when impact fees should be paid—at the start of development or at completion.
• Developers expressed concerns over paying upfront, arguing that it ties up capital too early in a project.
• A local developer pointed out that impact fees have become more understood and accepted in Northwest Arkansas as more cities have adopted them, but the uncertainty around the sewer crisis is what truly worries builders.

📌 Why It Matters:

• These fees help fund infrastructure needs like roads, fire protection, and parks as Centerton continues to grow.
• The council committed to reviewing these fees in three years to ensure they remain fair and effective.

Rezoning Decisions: A Mixed Outcome

✅ Ordinance 2025-09: Rezoning for Neighborhood Commercial Approved

A property in the 1400 Block of North Main Street was rezoned from Agriculture (A-1) to Neighborhood Commercial (C-3).

📌 What’s Planned?

• A pickleball complex with a pro shop, retail space, and a coffee shop.
• Additional screening and landscaping will be required to minimize the impact on surrounding residential properties.

📌 Concerns Raised:

• Traffic congestion on Main Street is already an issue, and adding commercial space could worsen it.
• Some council members and residents were hesitant about the location, as it sits between residential properties.
• However, discussion pointed out that when it comes to state road improvements, experience has shown that demand must be built first before the state prioritizes projects.
  • **The "Fields of Gold" philosophy applies here—**if you build it, they will come. Once development increases traffic, the state is more likely to pay attention and move Centerton up the list for road improvements.

📌 Why It Passed:

• The land aligns with the city’s future land use plan, which designates the area for commercial development.
• The business concept adds amenities to the community.

✅ Ordinance 2025-10: Rezoning for Highway Commercial Approved

A city-owned property in the 200 Block of Keller Road was rezoned from Agriculture (A-1) to Highway Commercial (C-2) to match the zoning of the future Centerton Recreation Center.

📌 Why It Matters:

• The rezoning ensures consistent land use around the recreation center.
• Future commercial projects in this area will align with city development plans.

🚨 Sewer Capacity Crisis Update: Some Progress, But a Long Road Ahead

The ongoing wastewater capacity issue continues to be a major obstacle for development in Centerton.

📌 New Developments Remain On Hold

• No new building permits can be issued until either:
  1. Decatur expands its treatment facility, or
  2. Centerton secures wastewater capacity elsewhere.
• The City of Decatur has received a permit to expand its "headworks" capacity (the intake portion of the plant), and work is expected to start soon.
• However, the real bottleneck is outflow processing, which remains at full capacity.

📌 Could Centerton Send Wastewater Elsewhere?

• Alternative plants have been considered, but using a different facility would cost 3-4 times more than Decatur.
• City officials are pushing for state-level solutions and meeting with the Arkansas Department of Health regularly.

📌 Mayor Bill's Take:

• The mayor reaffirmed that city officials are prioritizing this issue and staying in constant communication with Decatur.
• While some progress has been made, the situation is not expected to be fully resolved for another 12 months.

For now, residential and commercial developments that haven’t already secured sewer approval remain stalled.

Honoring K-9 Zorro’s Service to Centerton

Last night, the Centerton City Council officially approved the retirement of K-9 Zorro, a dedicated member of the Centerton Police Department.

From December 2017 to February 2025, Zorro served as more than just a police dog—he was a protector, a companion, and a symbol of commitment to public safety. Over the course of his career, Zorro was deployed more than 500 times, playing a critical role in narcotic seizures and assisting in the apprehension of dangerous fugitives involved in serious crimes.

Beyond law enforcement, Zorro made a lasting impact in the community. He was instrumental in locating missing persons and formed strong connections with local schools, including Bentonville West, Bentonville High School, Gravette, Decatur, and Colcord, Oklahoma. His presence fostered trust between law enforcement and students, making him a beloved figure both inside and outside of the department.

As Zorro enters retirement, he will continue to be cared for by his handler, Officer Eggebrecht. His years of service to Centerton will not be forgotten, and his legacy of dedication and protection will remain part of the community’s history.

Thank you, K-9 Zorro, for your years of service. Enjoy your well-earned retirement! 🐾💙

Upcoming Community Events

📅 Coffee with the Mayor – Saturday, March 15 at 9 AM, Centerton Community Room
👉 I’ll be there presenting my monthly real estate market update for the City of Centerton, covering home values, inventory, and what to expect in 2025. If you’re thinking about buying or selling, this is a great chance to get your questions answered!

📅 Planning Commission Meeting – March 18 at 8:30 AM

• Developers and residents concerned about zoning or infrastructure issues should attend.

Final Takeaways

This meeting made it clear that Centerton is in a period of rapid transition, with both opportunities and challenges ahead.

🔹 Key Takeaways from the Night:
✔️ Impact fees were approved with modifications and will undergo legal review.
✔️ Two key rezoning requests passed, paving the way for new commercial spaces.
🚧 Infrastructure remains a priority, with grants being pursued for traffic and sidewalk improvements.
🚨 The sewer crisis is improving slightly, but new developments remain stalled for the foreseeable future.
🐾 K-9 Zorro officially retired after years of dedicated service.

📌 Stay tuned to this blog and bookmark the page for recaps on every City Council and Planning Commission meeting, plus my monthly market updates—all about Centerton, Arkansas!