Rogers Grants Hotel Developer a Variance to Preserve Natural Tree Buffer

ROGERS, Ark. — A new hotel development in west Rogers has been granted an exception to the city’s masonry wall requirement—on the condition that it protects a stand of mature trees already acting as a natural barrier.

At its March 18 meeting, the Board of Adjustment approved a variance for Hotel Vin, a proposed six-story hotel at 5501 W. Madison Avenue. Under city code, the developer would typically be required to construct an 8-foot masonry wall along its western edge, where the property abuts single-family homes in the Beau Chêne neighborhood.

But planners and developers argued that building the wall would mean removing 17 significant trees—trees that already provide dense screening.

“This is one of the rare cases where not building a wall may actually preserve more privacy and aesthetics for neighboring residents,” said Planner Nicholas Little. “Given the terrain and existing canopy, the wall would offer little additional benefit.”

The developer, Hotel Vin Rogers LLC, submitted a landscape plan showing increased plantings in lieu of the wall. The Board agreed that the project met the city’s hardship standards, citing the unique slope and dense vegetation on the site.

The condition for approval: the landscape buffer must be maintained and enhanced per the submitted plan.

No public objections were submitted.