August 3, 2026 | City of Rogers Planning Commission

The City of Rogers Planning Commission held a meeting on August 3, 2026, focusing primarily on updates to the city's comprehensive plan and a proposed zoning ordinance amendment to allow backyard chickens on smaller residential lots. The comprehensive plan update, led by consultant Lance Bernard from TC2, included community engagement efforts and survey results highlighting priorities such as transportation improvements, housing diversity including "missing middle" housing types, and maintaining community character amid growth. The commission discussed potential design standards and zoning implications to support these goals. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a public hearing on the proposed ordinance to permit backyard chickens on lots as small as 0.2 acres, with regulations on coop size, setbacks, and animal care. Staff recommended no permit process but a prescriptive ordinance with enforcement through complaint-based nuisance procedures. Public comments raised concerns about enforcement, nuisance potential, and the need for permits or registration. The commission considered alternatives on lot size minimums and setbacks. The meeting concluded with a motion to close the public hearing and a recommendation to forward the ordinance to the city council for approval.