Group Against Rezoning Land for Walmart Gathers Signatures

A group called “Citizens for Responsible Development” gathered in Bella Vista Wednesday morning in hopes gathering enough signatures to put an initiative on the November ballot that would stop a Walmart Neighborhood Market from being built.

The group met with residents in the parking lot of the Sugar Creek Center.

The group does not want the land located at Highway 71 and Oldham Road to be rezoned for the new grocery store. The group needs about 1,500 signatures for the issue to be put on the ballot.

In a news release, the group says they are against the rezoning due to “safety hazards to the citizens, the loss of property value for several residents, the future cost to our city for enhancing the roads and water provision, increase sewer and drainage issues, and cause harm to the creeks surrounding caused by runoff and drainage.”

The Bella Vista City Council recently approved the rezoning request with a 5-1 majority. Citizens for Responsible Development say the city council avoided public opinion on this matter. Residents claim the council moved locations of their meetings several times to avoid public outcry.

Petitions will be available at several local business locations.

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