Council grants waiver of street improvements for Seton property, vote 5–2

The Springdale City Council on Aug. 12 approved a resolution granting a waiver of street improvements for a non-large-scale development on Seton Street, permitting conversion of an existing residence into a commercial office and allowing development without the usual street, drainage and sidewalk upgrades.
The Planning Commission had recommended Option 1 (a full waiver) by a 5–2 vote. The applicant, Hayden Gilder, told the council the surrounding road is residential and not improved; he said the project is limited to creating a parking lot and converting the house to a C-2 commercial use. Gilder said the requested waiver was to avoid installing curbs, sidewalks and related street work that “doesn’t flow with the rest of the city.”
Council members discussed the purpose of the street-improvement ordinance — gradually improving streets where the city will not immediately construct them — and whether Seton will receive city improvements in the future. One council member noted recent nearby projects that had constructed street improvements and questioned the long-term plan for Seton. The council ultimately approved the full waiver; the motion carried 5–2.
City staff and the applicant noted that future development on Seton has been shifting toward commercial uses and that the waiver applies to the specific non-large-scale development under review. The council did not adopt any additional conditions to require the city to complete street improvements.