Use change for retirement village at Fianna Hills approved by Fort Smith Planning Commission

The Fort Smith Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday (March 12) unanimously approved an amendment to the Master Land Use Plan that paves the way for an “upscale, high-end” active lifestyle community in Fort Smith for those age 55 and older.

Sam Seeger said at a neighborhood meeting March 5 that he is planning to invest up to $40 million to build the facility that will be similar to the Grand Village Retirement Center in Fayetteville.

The facility, which would be between 130,000 and 135,000 square feet, would be built on 13 acres adjacent to and including the former Fianna Hills Country Club in south Fort Smith, said Seeger, who is with Van Buren-based WCR Development. Seeger, who was involved in the development of Grand Village, said the facility would have about 25 employees, with about half of those being part-time workers.

The proposal received resistance at the neighborhood meeting and again at the planning commission meeting Tuesday night with several residents raising concerns about traffic and the effect the property would have on property values. Nancy Clark, a resident near the property, said in an email to the planning commission that she feels the construction, which is expected to take 18-24 months, will be disruptive and dangerous to residents.

“Construction on this scale for so long will be ruinous to the neighborhood and destroy the ambience we have here,” Clark said. “The only improvement I can see is Fort Smith needs a nice new retirement center in a pretty area with trees and areas to enjoy being outside and walking. But at our expense of loss of property values and loss of what we value of living up here?”

Stan Snodgrass, director of engineering for the city said the projected traffic for the development is estimated to be equally split between Essex Place and Bramble Brae streets with approximately 23 vehicles entering and exiting during the peak morning hours and 29 entering and exiting during the peak evening hour.

The facility will have about 90 total units in two structures, with the existing clubhouse structure used to house most of the primary amenities, such as dining areas, lounge and entertainment areas, a theater, hair salon, and a gaming area – just to name some of the likely amenities, Seeger has told Talk Business & Politics.

He also said plans also include 14 “independent cottages” next to the former clubhouse, with project completion likely to be 18-24 months after construction begins. Seeger said his company has conducted a market study and is convinced the Fort Smith region will benefit from the planned project.

Building the facility requires a master land use plan amendment from open space to general commercial and a rezoning to a planned zoning district (PZD) for retirement housing, which the planning commission approved. The matter will go before the Fort Smith Board of Directors for final approval.

HISTORY
Fort Smith-based Norris Group bought the former Fianna Hills Country Club building and 12 acres in April 2023 for $1.1 million with plans to open a social club and apartments, create space for commercial development and build a “55-plus active lifestyle center.”

David Millé was the former owner of Fianna Hills Country Club. He closed the club and golf course on Dec. 31, 2018. On-again and off-again efforts to buy the country club and golf course by a group of local investors and residents fell through in September 2020. Millé would sell parts of the golf course to homeowners immediately adjacent to the course, and he also sold some fairways to residential developers.

Seeger said he is in the process of conducting “due diligence,” which includes obtaining zoning and use changes from the City of Fort Smith, to acquire the property from Brooks’ company.