Springdale amends code to remove extraterritorial planning authority under Act 314

The Springdale City Council on Aug. 12 adopted an ordinance amending chapters of the city code to remove references to extraterritorial jurisdiction, a change required by Act 314 of 2025.
The ordinance, presented by Sharon Tronberg, Director of Planning and Community Development, implements state law that eliminates municipal extraterritorial planning areas and was approved with the council’s emergency clause. City Attorney Ernest (last name not given in the record) confirmed the public hearing notice and statutory requirements had been met before action.
City staff told the council the change aligns Springdale’s ordinances with Act 314 and removes the city’s former planning reach outside city limits. Tronberg displayed county maps to show the area affected in Washington County and said Benton County had already removed its planning area from maps. She told the council that Springdale will work cooperatively with both Washington and Benton counties as each jurisdiction adapts to the law.
Mayor Sprouse and other council members acknowledged the law will create different challenges for each municipality; one council member said the law may have been intended to curb perceived overreach by municipalities into county areas. No members of the public spoke on the ordinance during the required hearing. The council adopted the ordinance and the emergency clause by recorded vote.
The action removes city code language that referenced extraterritorial planning authority and declares compliance with Act 314 of 2025. City staff said they will continue outreach with affected counties and neighboring municipalities to coordinate any implementation tasks.
Looking ahead, staff said there will be follow-up work to update maps and guidance to developers and property owners about the change in jurisdictional boundaries.