HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-385 (2)
CityClerk
From:Lisa Orton <lisa_m_orton@yahoo.com>
Sent:Thursday, August 15, 2024 10:12 AM
To:Agenda Item Comment
Cc:Lisa Orton; University Heights Neighbors
Subject:Please oppose upzoning of Watson property on west side of Markham Hill
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Dear City Council,
Please vote against the upzoning of the Watson property on the west side of Markham Hill. This pertains to item C.4 on
the upcoming City Council's agenda for August 20.
The Planning Commission denied the upzoning request (RZN-2024-0030) in July, but the applicants have appealed this
decision to the City Council.
The current zoning of RSF-4 is far better for Fayetteville in these wooded areas than upzoning to CS or NS-G or any other
upzoning category. Especially with our newly approved Climate Action Plan.
I agree with all of the concerns against the upzoning identified in the City Staff report to the Planning Commission.
Other reasons for maintaining the current RSF-4 zoning:
1. The property owner can still develop under the current zoning of RSF-4 (and make money).
2. The City is not required to rezone a property just because a property owner or developer requests it.
3. The lower density RSF-4 allows for preserving more tree cover, helping purify Fayetteville's air and water.
4. The lower density RSF-4 causes fewer drainage and flooding problems for surrounding and lower elevation properties.
Flooding and drainage have been a real problem in general in Fayetteville from our excessive, higher-density
development and lack of adequate ordinances protecting existing residents. Adding more and more impervious surfaces
has contributed to Fayetteville's storm management problems. Upzoning these parcels will only add to these problems,
especially since they are on or adjacent to Hillside/Hilltop land.
5. These parcels have clay soil which contributes even more to drainage and flooding problems.
6. There are natural springs on Markham Hill. Blocking or disturbing these adds to drainage/flooding problems and
messes with nature's way of handling water.
7. RSF-4 is a better transition from a nature preserve to higher density. It does not make sense to have higher density
buildings (with their people, noise, traffic, and lights) next to wildlife and nature preserves (50-acre conservation easement
on the east and the City's Markham Hill Woods on the north).
8. The historic wooded areas remaining on Markham Hill (not deforested yet) are worth protecting in Fayetteville.
9. There is already too much traffic on Martin Luther King Blvd, the Futrall access road, and surrounding areas. Lower
density RSF-4 development will cause fewer additional problems than a higher density zoning.
Please oppose the upzoning.
Sincerely,
Lisa Orton
1
1663 W Halsell Rd
Fayetteville, AR 72701
410-674-8440
Ward 4
2