Bella Vista, Arkansas
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| Location | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Coordinates | |
| Government | |
| Country State County |
United States Arkansas Benton |
| Founded Incorporated |
1965 November 2006 |
| Mayor | Frank Anderson |
| Geographical characteristics | |
| Area | |
| CDP | 171.9 km² (66.4 mi²) |
| Land | 169.9 km² (65.6 mi²) |
| Water | 2.0 km² (0.8 mi²) |
| Population | |
| CDP (2000) | 16,582 |
| Metro | 347,045 (Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers) |
| 24,000 (est. by BVPOA, 2006) | |
| Time zone Summer (DST) |
CST (UTC-6) CDT (UTC-5) |
| Roberta Dale is the Chairman of the Bella Vista POA | |
| Website: Bella Vista Property Owners Association | |
Bella Vista is a census-designated place located in Benton County, Arkansas. As of the 2000 census, the CDP had a total population of 16,582. It previously was the largest unincorporated community in the state of Arkansas; however, in November 2006 it voted to incorporate and form a municipality. The Bella Vista Property Owners Association estimates that there are currently 24,000 residents in the community, which covers about 65 square miles (168 km²). The village has two USPS ZIP codes: 72714 on the east side and 72715 on the west side.
First established in 1965, the community is located on U.S. Highway 71 between Bentonville, Arkansas and the Missouri state line. Although originally primarily an affluent retirement community, recent growth includes many young couples and families. It is "governed" by its Property Owners Association, a private organization that performs all the normal functions of a local government.
Oklahoma country music singer and songwriter Jeremy Castle relesaed a song entitled "A Little Bit Like Heaven" in 2004, which mentions and promotes the town of Bella Vista, Arkansas.
Contents |
[edit] Recreation
[edit] Lakes
Bella Vista has eight lakes. These lakes are not "public" in that only members of the village or their guests are permitted to use them. Lake Ann, Lake Windsor, and Lake Loch Lomond are the largest all-sports lakes in the village. Lake Avalon, Lake Norwood, and Lake Rayburn are primarily fishing lakes with "no wake" restrictions. Current POA boat permits are required as are Arkansas fishing licenses, when fishing Bella Vista lakes.
- Lake Ann is an all-water sport lake with 112.5 acres of surface area. Because it is 53.5 feet deep with no power limit, water skiing is allowed on Lake Ann.
- Lake Windsor is the second largest of the lakes, covering 220 acres with a maximum depth of 79.5 feet. Lake Windsor is also an unlimited power lake, and water skiing is allowed.
- Loch Lomond is the largest of all the lakes in the Village. It is 80 feet deep and covers 477 acres. There is no power limit, skiing is allowed, and boat rental is offered.
- Lake Avalon is a limited-power lake that features an enclosed, heated fishing dock located off of Tamworth Circle. This lake covers 67 acres and is 50 feet deep.
- Lake Brittany is 77 feet deep, has a 35-acre surface area and is a limited-power lake. Although there is currently no launching ramp, the terrain is suitable for launching.
- Lake Norwood, located just north of Bella Vista's Town Center, has 34.5 acres of surface area and is 75 feet deep. The Lake Norwood launching ramp is located north of Harp's Food Store in Town Center. This is a limited-power lake.
- Lake Rayburn is 60 feet deep and has a 47-acre surface area. This lake has limited power regulations. It also features a designated swimming area and a launching ramp that is accessible from Lakeside Drive.
- Lake Bella Vista is located just off Highway 71. This lake covers 22 acres and is 8 feet deep.
[edit] Media
An cable FM station or channel in Bella Vista rebroadcasts the audio of classical WCPE-FM, which serves the community, though, WCPE is a North Carolina station!
[edit] Golf
There are nine private, award-winning golf courses in Bella Vista Village.
[edit] Parks and walking trails
Bella Vista Lake has a 1.8-mile (2.9 km) long walking/biking trail that goes around the lake. (The trail, however, is actually maintained by the City of Bentonville.) Tanyard Creek is another walking trail off of Lake Windsor in the center of the village. It has a footbridge and some waterfalls except during dry times.
[edit] Bella Vista Country Club
Bella Vista Country Clubhouse opened on November 25, 1968 and was a place for local residents to meet one another, enjoy a meal and hold dances. Times changed and more restaurants began to appear in the area, leading to a decline in the use of the facility. The dances and dinners wound down to a halt and eventually, asbestos was found to be a problem in a segment of floor tiles in the building. The POA closed the clubhouse on August 25, 2002. The country club will soon be remodeled and opened again.
[edit] Geography
Bella Vista is located at 36°27'50" North, 94°16'16" West (36.463850, -94.270974)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 171.9 km² (66.4 mi²). 169.9 km² (65.6 mi²) of it is land and 2.0 km² (0.8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.19% water.ha ahaha haa ha a
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 16,582 people, 7,818 households, and 6,004 families residing in the CDP. The population density is 97.6/km² (252.8/mi²). There are 8,854 housing units at an average density of 52.1/km² (135.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP is 97.87% White, 0.18% Black or African American, 0.69% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. 1.01% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 7,818 households out of which 13.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.4% are married couples living together, 3.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 23.2% are non-families. 20.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.10 and the average family size is 2.38.
In the CDP the population is spread out with 12.3% under the age of 18, 3.0% from 18 to 24, 16.4% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 41.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 61 years. For every 100 females there are 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.9 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP is $44,090, and the median income for a family is $48,233. Males have a median income of $34,547 versus $24,690 for females. The per capita income for the CDP is $25,406. 2.5% of the population and 1.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 3.7% of those under the age of 18 and 1.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
[edit] Government
Bella Vista's Declarations and Protective Covenants is the "rule book" that governs the village. The Property Owners Association must follow this "rule book" composed of various articles. There are Class A and Class B members of Bella Vista Village. Class B refers to Cooper who gets 10 votes per lot owned and Class A refers to lots owners who receive one vote per lot owned. However, Cooper now owns too few lots to sway the vote. Both Class A and class B members must approve a vote before it is binding.
The POA is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors who serve three-year terms. They set the direction and long-term objectives for the POA guided by the village’s declarations and protective covenants. The day-to-day activity of the POA is directed by its general manager, with division heads and site managers responsible for the various departments and facilities throughout the village.
[edit] Public safety
The Bella Vista Fire Department logged 454 incidents in 2005. Total fire loss for 2005 in Bella Vista was $216,700, due to a $208,000 building fire and an $8,700 vehicle fire.
[edit] Utility providers
The POA provides water and sanitation (trash pick-up) service to Bella Vista residents. The monthly minimum water rate is currently based on 49 cents per day for 30 days and 1,500 gallons of usage, or $14.70. The bills also are subject to applicable sales tax and a 25-cent per month testing fee charged by the Arkansas Department of Health. Garbage pick-up costs $11.30 plus tax per month for weekly streetside collection. There also are two semi-annual pick ups of large items.
Carroll Electric Cooperative provides electricity for Bella Vista residents. Phone service is provided by SBC, and cable television is provided by Cox Communications. Village Waste Water provides sewer service to portions of Bella Vista.
[edit] Economy
Travel to Bella Vista and the surrounding areas increases greatly in the summertime. There are lots of vacation rental homes in the village as well as a fishing, golfing and watersports economy that comes alive every year.
National Recreational Properties is currently advertising in major cities Bella Vista's great amenities and quality of life. Well kwown actor Erik Estrada is their spokesman.
[edit] Education
There are two school districts serving the village. On the east side the Bentonville School District and on the west side Gravette School District.
[edit] History
[edit] The early years
Bella Vista began in 1915 when the Reverend William S. Baker and his wife, Mary, decided to convert their land about four miles north of Bentonville, Arkansas, into a summer resort. During 1915-1916, they platted some of the land and created a lake by building a dam across Sugar Creek. Mrs. George Crowder of Bentonville provided the name, Bella Vista. Attempts by the Bakers to sell lots or draw people to the resort failed and in January, 1917, they sold their fledgling resort to the three Linebarger Brothers of Dallas, Texas.
F.W. Linebarger began developing the resort by platting additional land and building facilities that would attract vacationers to the development. In the spring of 1917 he constructed a pavilion near the lake and a lodge and dining hall on the first hill east of the dam. The resort opened on June 20, 1917. The Linebargers built a nine-hole golf course in 1920 and completed a large swimming pool in 1924.
While Bella Vista was a summer resort, the Linebargers expected to profit mainly from selling lots and building cottages for summer residents. Lots sold from $400 to $600, and a cottage cost from $1,000 to $1,500. Business flourished during the 1920s as more and more people went to Bella Vista to enjoy the amenities and to spend time in a more pleasant climate. By the late 1920s the Linebargers had sold more than 700 lots and built about 375 cottages. In 1929 they upgraded Bella Vista housing accommodations by building the Sunset Hotel, one of the finest in Northwest Arkansas, and in 1930 converted Wonderland Cave into a nightclub. However, changing vacation tastes, and the Great Depression and World War II combined to reduce and finally nearly eliminate the need for the kind of resort found at Bella Vista. In 1952 C.A. Linebarger, the brother in charge, sold the run-down property to E.L. Keith.
[edit] New direction
Keith, a Texan who had moved to Cave Springs, Arkansas, refurbished the resort and made it more attractive to families. He substituted roller-skating for dancing at the pavilion, fixed up the swimming pool, deepened the lake and had horses for trail rides. He also built a motel and opened a restaurant near Highway 71 at the west end of the Lake Bella Vista dam.
[edit] Cooper acquires Bella Vista
By the time Keith had restored the resort, he had an offer to sell it. In late 1962 John A. Cooper, Sr., who had developed Cherokee Village about 65 miles northwest of Jonesboro, arrived in Bentonville and announced that he was looking for property where he could start another recreational-retirement community. By 1964 his agents had purchased about 14,000 acres of land in the Sugar Creek Valley and in the adjoining hills and valleys beyond. However, he also wanted to include Keith's Bella Vista in his new development. Keith sold out to Cooper in January, 1964.
Cooper believed that people retiring earlier and with more income would be attracted to a development with good living and recreational facilities. He planned to build modern recreational facilities for the use of members. Everyone was a member who bought property, a homesite or home, and was entitled to use the amenities-- golf courses, clubhouses etc. He then turned these facilities over to a Property Owners Association to own and manage. Between 1965 and 1989 the Cooper Company, known after 1971 as Cooper Communities, Inc., built five golf courses (the POA built two), seven lakes, four major club houses and other amenities. The Property Owners Association, a private corporation governed by a board of directors, owned and managed the facilities for the members. From May 21, 1965, when the first lots were sold, until 1995, CCI sold 37,060 lots or homesites, and built hundreds of homes.
"“The first permanent residents to move to the village were Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Man, ” wrote Gilbert Fite in his book “ From Vision to Reality, ” copyright 1993. “ They moved into a model home on Jan. 6, 1966, after retiring from employment with the Standard Oil Company. ” Their home was on Gwaltney Circle, according to “ The Bella Vista Story, ” written and published by the Bella Vista Historical Society in 1980. While Linda Rush, administrative assistant to Dwain Mitchell, treasurer / director of finance & administration for the Property Owners Association, has not yet celebrated 40 years at the POA, she has helped celebrate 38 anniversaries at the village. She has the record for working for the POA the longest. She started working at the Country Club Nov. 16, 1968. Since she was from Bella Vista, she wanted to find a job near here. Her family owned land around Lake Brittany, she said, and had sold it to John Cooper, Sr. As for her wishes for today’s Bella Vista, she said, “ I just don’t want it to get too big. I think it’s big enough. I want the amenities to be top notch. Sometimes bigger isn’t better. ” Having the village managed well so the growth and the village’s quality is main- tained would be her ideal, she explained. What still amazes her, she added, is how the farm land with its hills, valleys and trees could turn into a city."" Bella Vista Village now 40 years old
In 2006 some residents were unhappy with having a private government that wasn't subject to the same legal accountability that other local governments were, and there were ongoing efforts to bring about the incorporation of the town. Petitions requesting an incorporation vote were approved by the County Judge and the issue was put on the ballot on November 06, 2006.
Benton County Historical Society
[edit] Current issues
There are current infrastructure issues that Bella Vista is trying to cope with. Traffic is increasing fast through the village. Google provides a map showing the two "disconnected" pieces of the Interstate 540 (Arkansas) and the Interstate quality US 71 in Missouri.which when connected to the Missouri Hwy will eventually be part of a long planned future Interstate 49. Some local refer to this as a western bypass or bypass of the current Hwy 71 that runs through Bella Vista, AR. Many, especially truckers, in Arkansas and Missouri are desperate to see the highway fully connected and flowing due to current traffic congestion.
On April 13, 2006 the AR Highway Commission approved the use of Tolls to finance construction. [1]
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- Growth in 2005
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- Bella Vista had a 13% increase in building permits in 2005.
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- The Architectural Control Committee, a branch of the Bella Vista Property Owners Association issued 973 building permits last year, up 129 from the number issued in Bella Vista during 2004. All but seven of those permits were for residential construction projects. Growth was strongest on the east side of the village with 510 building permits. 206 permits were issued for the central part of the village while the Highlands received 250 permits.
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- 966 residential construction permits compares with just 306 permits issued in the village in 2001.
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- At the same time, the POA office has processed 8,585 title transfers resulting from the sale of properties (improved and unimproved) in the village compared to 2,680 such transfers in 2004.
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- Growth in 2006
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- Lowe's Hardware store is now open just to the south of Bella Vista. Traffic has sometimes been affected during the construction of the area. Bulldozers and backhoes are currently working on the top of the hill to the northeast of Lowe's as well.
Northwest Arkansas Gazette Article on the Traffic issue
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- Growth beyond 2006
Planners see I-540 overtaxed in future An informative article with long range traffic studies for NW Arkansas.
[edit] Water pressure to the west side of Bella Vista
A large scale water line project is in the works for the west side of Bella Vista. It will alleviate the current high pressure needed to pump water up there and reduce the common leaks in the system.
[edit] POA Board Considering Covenant Changes
[edit] Lake water quality
News article regarding Lake Avalon
Bella Vista's POA Water Quality Plan / Taskforce
Bella Vista Lakes Management Report February 2006
[edit] Sewer availability
[edit] Lack of / removal of a siren tornado warning system
Bella Vista Lacks a Tornado Warning System News Article
[edit] External links
- Bella Vista Business Association
- Online access to County Records
- Bella Vista Public Library
- Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce
- NW Arkansas Regional Planning Commission for demographic information and more.
- Challenges facing Bella Vista
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
