Bella Vista, Arkansas

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 is currently the largest unincorporated community in the state of Arkansas. The Bella Vista POA estimates that there are currently 24,000 residents located in an area covering sixty five square miles (36,326 acres) The village has two USPS zip codes. On the east side 72714 and on the west side 72715.
First established in 1965, the community is located on U.S. Highway 71 between Bentonville, Arkansas and the Missouri state line.

Village amenities include eight golf courses, eight lakes, three country clubs, five recreational centers. The Bella Vista Property Owners Association charges propery owners a monthly assessment for use of the village's facilities; $16 for a lot and $24 for a home.

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.

Bella Vista amenities

Bella Vista village lakes Located in the Ozark Mountains Bella Vista Village 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 our Lakes, covering 220 acres with a maximum depth of 79.5 feet. Lake Windsor is also an unlimited power lake. Skiing is allowed. Loch Lomond is the largest of all the lakes in the Village. Eighty feet deep and covering 477 acres, this crystal clear lake is perfect for every kind of water recreation. There is no power limit, skiing is allowed, and boat rental is available. 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 not a launching ramp at this time, 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 Hwy. 71. This lake is 22 acres and 8 feet deep.

Bella Vista golf

There are 9 private, award winning golf courses in Bella Vista Village. Bella Vista POA Golf website

The Bella Vista chapel

The Chapel was created by renowned Arkansas architect Euine Fay Jones. In 1991, Fay Jones was awarded the American Institute of Architecture's highest award, the AIA Gold Metal. Fay was a student of Frank Lloyd Wright where he was first introduced to the principle of Organic Architecture (designing to fit the environment).

Built to honor Mildred Borum Cooper, wife of John A. Cooper, Sr., Founder of Cooper Communities, Inc, the Chapel is a fitting memorial. Her family commissioned the Chapel in her honor to celebrate her life and her dedication to God and his creations.

Parks and walking trails

Bella Vista Lake walking trail is actually maintained by the City of Bentonville but feels as if it were in the center of Bella Vista Village. It has a nice walking/biking trail of 1.8 miles around it.
Tanyard Creek is a great walking trail off of Lake Windsor in the center of the village. It has a footbridge and some great waterfalls except during dry times like it has been in 2005-2006.

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 some great dances. Times changed and more restaurants began to appear in the area. This led 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.
Bella Vista Country Club is about to be remodeled and opened again. It was once a very happening place and promises to be an attractive clubhouse with some modern amenities and office space inside.

Geography

Bella Vista is located at 36ø27'50" North, 94ø16'16" West (36.463850, -94.270974)GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 171.9 km sq (66.4 mi sq). 169.9 km sq (65.6 mi sq) of it is land and 2.0 km sq (0.8 mi sq) of it is water. The total area is 1.19% water.

Government

The Bella Vista Village's Declarations and Protective Covenants is the "rule book" that governs the village. The POA 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. 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.

Bella Vista Fire Department

The Bella Vista Fire Department logged 454 incidents in 2005. Total fire loss for 2005 in Bella Vista was pegged at $216,700 due to a $208,000 building fire and an $8,700 vehicle fire.

Utility providers in Bella Vista village

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 once a week streetside collection. There also are two semi-annual pick ups of large items.

Carroll Electric Cooperative provides electricity for Bella Vista residents.

SBC provides phone service for Bella Vista residents.

Cox Communications provides cable TV for Bella Vista residents.

Village Waste Water provides sewer service to portions of Bella Vista.

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.

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.

Current issues

To incorporate or not?

Some residents are unhappy with having a private government that isn't subject to the same legal accountability that other local governments are, and there are ongoing efforts to bring about the incorporation of the town. Petitions requesting an incorporation vote have been approved by the County Judge and the issue will be on the ballot in November 06, 2006.

Opposition to Incorporation is starting to form in Bella Vista Village There are also 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.

Growth in 2005

Bella Vista had a 13% increase in building permits in 2005. 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. 966 residential construction permits compares with just 306 permits issued in the village in 2001. 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.

Growth in 2006

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

Growth beyond 2006

Planners see I-540 overtaxed in future An informative article with long range traffic studies for NW Arkansas.

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.

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