Conway is a step closer to a big new mixed-use project on the edge of town, and it's one that would bring a good chunk of residential and commercial work with it. It still has another vote to clear, though, and neighbors aren't done talking about water.
Conway City Council on Monday, Oct. 19, unanimously approved first reading of a rezoning request from developer Rise Partners for 67 acres along Mill Pond Road and Highway 501, near Crabtree Swamp. Shannon Keith covered the meeting for MyHorryNews.
The request would change the land from Highway Commercial and Low/Medium-Density Residential zoning to Planned Development. Rise Partners is the same group behind the Coastal Centre development in Conway, and the Conway Planning Commission had already approved plans for this project before it reached council.
What's on the drawings
Preliminary plans show two large anchor buildings. "Anchor 1" is about 140,000 square feet, and "Anchor 2" is about 50,000 square feet and is identified as a grocery store. There would also be other retail shops, four sit-down restaurants, two fast-food restaurants and a coffee shop.
The residential side calls for 236 multifamily units across seven apartment buildings. Plans also include open space, conservation areas and stormwater facilities.
Traffic study documents say the development is expected to be built by the end of 2029.
Wetlands and flooding
The biggest pushback has been about water. Residents have raised concerns about wetlands on the property and whether the development will make drainage and flooding worse nearby.
City documents show about 12.22 acres of delineated wetlands on the property. The current proposal would impact about 4.87 acres of wetlands and preserve 5.6 acres, with 1.75 acres designated as "other delineated wetlands."
Conway resident Sara Rich criticized the developer's argument that disturbed wetlands deserve less protection than pristine ones. "But we all know that regrown wetlands are still wetlands," she said. "I love this town ... I want so much for Conway to avoid joining the ranks of coastal cities and towns that dishonor their wetlands."
Why the city says rezoning adds control
Jessica Hucks, Conway's planning and development director, made a point contractors will appreciate. The property is already zoned Highway Commercial, she said, so Rise Partners could submit plans tomorrow without the rezoning.
"They are actually restricting themselves by going through the planned development process," Hucks said. She added that rezoning isn't the same as developing, and the developer will still have to submit development plans that go through an extensive review.
Franklin Daniels, an attorney for Rise Partners, said the developer wanted to work with the city. "We could go in and do this project, but it wouldn't be the same project that we all want," he said.
Councilman William Goldfinch said he and other council members had gotten multiple emails from residents worried about flooding. He said he didn't want groups scaring neighbors because they saw on Facebook that the area is going to flood. "I want facts, I want data ... don't let someone scare you. Get the facts," he said. He also said people who live in Conway need decent commercial services, and this project provides them.
Councilwoman Amanda Butler said the vote was about the development agreement and that "there are still some things to work out between now and second reading."
Several council members spoke up for the project. Councilwoman Julie Hardwick was all in. "This is a well-designed project and it's going to be a star in the town," she said.
What's next
The rezoning still needs second reading before it's final. The coverage didn't give a date for that vote. After that, Rise Partners still has to take actual development plans through the city's review, which is where stormwater and wetland details will get their closest look.
Why it matters for Contractors
Seven apartment buildings, two big anchors, a string of restaurants and shops: that's years of work for site, utility, multifamily and commercial contractors around Conway if the project moves ahead on its end-of-2029 timeline. But the wetland and flooding concerns mean stormwater work will be under a microscope, so anybody doing site and drainage work on this job should expect close scrutiny from the city and the neighbors. Keep an eye on the council agenda for second reading. And note what the planning director said: a planned development can come with tighter rules than the base zoning, so read the development agreement before you price the work.