Hole in the Wall faces zoning issue

Keith Bryant/The Weekly Vista Beth Day, co-owner of Hole in the Wall NWA, said this tree, located near the middle of a clearing on the property, could make a nice gathering space.
Keith Bryant/The Weekly Vista Beth Day, co-owner of Hole in the Wall NWA, said this tree, located near the middle of a clearing on the property, could make a nice gathering space.

A campground is working to set up shop despite a misunderstanding regarding city limits and the property's current zoning, which does not permit a campground.

Hole in the Wall NWA, located off Chelsea Road south of its intersection with Highland Road, is a campground and event space owned by half a dozen partners. Beth Day, one of those partners, explained that everyone involved believed the land was in the county when the property was purchased but later learned it had been recently annexed into the city and zoned R-1 residential.

Cassi Lapp, communications manager for Bella Vista, explained that a campground is not permitted as a use by right or a conditional use in R-1 zoning districts, meaning the business will need to rezone its property to either A-1 agricultural or SPR special residential and acquire a conditional use permit.

The parcel was annexed in 2016 by an ordinance passed by the city council, Lapp explained, when Bella Vista was working with Gravette to clean up the cities' borders.

"However, for some reason, we have now discovered the paperwork was not filed with the county. So, under a title search, the parcel does not show as being inside city limits and zoned R-1," she said.

The property owners were granted a one-time temporary permit for an event last Saturday, she explained, because this was not deemed to be the property owner's fault. This permit required the property owners file a parking plan with the city to ensure public rights of way were not blocked.

Beth Day, one of the owners, said that she wants this business to get off the ground because she believes Bella Vista is in need of a gathering place.

It's also a prime spot for the mountain biking crowd, she said, because it's less than a minute from a proposed trailhead for the central trail system, which is currently under construction.

It's a beautiful property with a lot of potential for a variety of different events, including art shows and concerts, Day said.

There's a clearing on the property with a large tree Day has nicknamed the 'welcome tree,' as well as a cave that could serve as a hangout. There are fire pits and seating available and spaces to set up tents.

"People can come and hang out and sit by a bonfire, roast some marshmallows, have a beer," Day said.

Specific services are still being hammered out, Day said, but the first hurdle is going to be the rezoning process.

"We'd like to rezone," she explained. "We've got to figure out how to deal with that situation."

Outside of any legal requirements, Day said she sent letters to neighbors and she wants to ensure this business is a good neighbor.

Day said that, while this is an obstacle, she's certain it can be figured out.

"It's a beautiful piece of property and we think it ought to be shared," she said.

General News on 11/07/2018