Development: The Bluffs at Rivercliff

The Bull Shoals Planning Commission met to discuss the above proposed development. This summarizes that meeting, and upcoming events.

PROCESS:

• The development planning itself is in the 2nd stage (sketch plan previously okayed, and now preliminary plat approval is sought). Prelim Plat approval includes construction plans, which will be reviewed also.
• Once that stage is okayed (possibly in May), construction of infrastructure can begin (water, sewer, utilities, streets, storm system, etc).
• Final plat approval is AFTER this construction is completed; at this point, the City accepts the infrastructure.

The Commission looked at and discussed at length the proposed plat, construction plans, etc. No action at this point.Tomorrow night's City Council meeting will have this develoment on its agenda, as required by ordinance. However the council is only advisory; the Planning Commission has final authority, and will receive council's input as a part of their process.

KEY POINTS OF MEETING:

• Development has new engineering firm (Strider Engineering of Mountain Home); they've designed for six additional lots (now total 21).
• Topography is very steep. and slopes toward Rivercliff Golf Course, adjacent to the river.
• Chair has already submitted the storm water drainage plan to ADEQ for their review. The engineering firm representative said the developer has in place a permit for the site, and said ADEQ has been onsite with him.
• One commissioner said the storm drainage plan is so important it needs to be reviewed by people who know what they're doing -- not the commission.
• The individual commissioners expressed strong commitment to maintaining White River water quality. They desire to have both a "quality development" AND maintain water quality.
• As I understood the storm drainage plan (as an audience member, no detailed examination), the plan is to collect drainage to 4 locations, then channel it underground to the lower side of the development, where it will surface into 4-inch shot-rock "check dams" whose job will be to collect sediment. The city will own these and must maintain them. Water will then flow above-ground to golf course (10th fairway then 18th fairway), then to a creek which runs to the river.
• Chair expressed concern that the developer stabilize the road cuts.
• I expressed that while the development seems positive for the city (on paper high quality with water, sewer, curbed/guttered streets, underground utilities, etc), Friends is concerned that silt during construction and storm water after construction could affect water quality. I reminded them of the recent Norfork experience that affected that river. Commission members, to a person, stated strong support for maintaining water quality. I believe them.

KEY UPCOMING EVENTS:

• City Council: council members should express at tomorrow night's meeting a request to Commission that serious attention be paid to Storm Drainage review process. The council should also commit publicly to monitor the develoment (if it is approved) very closely to assure the adherence to construction plans approved as a part of the process. Recommend Friends contact at least one city council member and mayor prior to tomorrow night's meeting. I am not acquainted with Mayor Ron Richter.
• ADEQ review of storm drainage plan and protection measures is key.
• May 13th & 27th Commission 1 pm worksessions will almost certainly have this as an item.
• Next regular meeting for official action scheduled for May 28 @ 7 pm.