ROGERS, Ark. — Plans for an upscale, camping-style resort on Beaver Lake, called the Contentment on Beaver Lake, were approved by the Benton County Planning Board in a unanimous vote in March.
On Friday, attorneys who represent Emerald Valley, LLC, filed a notice of appeal against the Benton County Planning Board for approving the plans for the "glamping" site.
According to court documents, Emerald Valley, who owns land near where the proposed project will be constructed, is worried about the impact of the resort.
"Our main goal would be to stop the project," Richard Mays, one of the attorneys representing Emerald Valley, said. “I think the project is totally incompatible with the surrounding area out there.”
According to plans submitted by developers, the Contentment on Beaver Lake is expected to consist of 40 upscale tents, 12 covered wagons, a pavilion, and a spa located on Shockley Place Road at Beaver Lake.
In a phone interview, Brent Johnson, who represents the resort's developers Gene and Candia Nicholas, said that he and his clients believe the Benton County Planning Board made the right decision in approving the plans.
Johnson said he believes the outcome will be the same after the court’s decision, and said his clients are still excited about the project.
According to the notice of appeal, those opposing the project believe the resort will have an adverse impact on the "health, safety, convenience, prosperity and welfare of the residents of Benton County."
The court document also states there are environmental concerns such as shore erosion, the potential threat of wildfire, and water contamination.
"We think that there is certainly a definite potential for the Beaver Lake water supply to be contaminated in the future,” Mays said. "They would have to raise the level of treatment of the water."
Mays added that if unsuccessful in court, this project will set what he believes is a negative precedent.
"If you allow this type of development to go in one place, it's going to be very difficult to resist the application of other people who may want to establish a similar project in a different location," Mays said.
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