City Council to revisit rezoning denial while considering pay raises for elected officials
Bella Vista City Council is set to weigh two governance-focused issues this week: whether to overturn a Planning Commission denial on a proposed neighborhood commercial rezoning, and whether to approve pay increases for elected officials ahead of the 2026 budget.
The rezoning request would change a residential parcel to C-1 Neighborhood Commercial, allowing small-scale uses such as a coffee shop or neighborhood retail. The Planning Commission voted 6–1 to deny the request after city staff did not recommend approval and nearby residents raised concerns about traffic, property values, and compatibility with surrounding homes.
Despite the denial, the applicant appealed the decision to City Council, arguing the rezoning aligns with the city’s 2040 Village Center plan and would serve nearby neighborhoods without introducing large commercial development. City Council is not bound by Planning Commission recommendations and holds final authority on zoning decisions.
In a separate discussion, council members reviewed two proposed pay plans for elected officials as part of preparations for the 2026 budget. The proposals would set the mayor’s salary between $135,000 and $138,000, with city council members receiving increases generally ranging from 3 to 7 percent, depending on the option selected.
City staff presented salary comparisons with other Northwest Arkansas cities, noting the last adjustment to elected official pay occurred in January 2024. No final vote has been taken on either issue, with both expected to move forward to a future council meeting for action.
