HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-10-01 - Minutes -Co uncil Member Rob ert B. Stafford
W ard I Po sition I
Co uncil Member D ' Andre Jones
W ard I Po si tion 2
Co uncil Member Sarah Moore
Ward 2 Po sition I
Co uncil Member Mike Wiede rkehr
Ward 2 Po sition 2
Mayor Lioneld Jordan
C ity Attorney Kit Williams
City C lerk Treasurer Kara Paxton
City of Fayetteville Arkansas
City Council Meeting
October 1, 2024
City Council Meeting Minutes
October I, 2024
Page I of 15
Cou ncil M emb er Scott Bern a
W ard 3 Position I
Co uncil M emb er Sarah Bunch
Ward 3 Po sition 2
Co uncil M ember Teresa Turk
W ard 4 Po sition I
Cou ncil Member Holly Hertzberg
Ward 4 Position 2
A meeting of the Fayetteville City Council was held on October 1, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. in Room
219 of the City Administration Building located at 113 West Mountain Street, Fayetteville,
Arkansas.
Mayor Jordan called the meeting to order.
PRESENT: Council Members Robert B. Stafford, Sarah Moore, Mike Wiederkehr, Scott
Berna~ Sarah Bunch, Teresa Turk, Holly Hertzberg, Mayor Lioneld Jordan, City Attorney
Kit Williams, City Clerk Treasurer Kara Paxton, Chief of Staff Susan Norton, Chief
Financial Officer Paul Becker, Staff, Press and Audience. Council Member D' Andre Jones
arrived at 5:36 pm.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor's Announcements, Proclamations and Recognitions:
Mayor Jordan recognized members of Rusty Turner's Journalism class from the University of
Arkansas.
City Council Meeting Presentations, Reports, and Discussion Items:
Monthly Financial Report -Chief Financial Officer
Paul Becker, Chief Financial Officer gave a brief description of the Monthly Financial Report .
He stated the City was up approximately 1.3% in the General Fund compared to last year but was
still down compared to budget for this year. He noted there were major rebates against education
and wireless communication carriers , which had detracted from and affected the sales tax. He
stated the City was down 5% compared to budget for sales tax in the General Fund and stated that
all in all, the City was down 2.9% in revenue estimates. He spoke of the Street Fund and how it
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City Council Meeting Minutes
October I , 2024
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was starting to level out compared to previous years and that Water and Sewer Services were flat.
He then went on to speak of the Recycling and Trash collection being flat compared to budget and
Airport sales being up 2% over la st year.
Agenda Additions:
Ordinance to Amend § 161.36 Urban Corridor: An ordinance to amend § 161.36 Urban
Corridor by enacting new (H) protections for single-family zoned districts to provide the same
protections for adjoining single family residential districts as currently required for Urban
Thoroughfare and all multi-family districts.
Council Member Turk stated this Agenda Addition was related to item D.2, Rezoning-2024-
0038: (71 B Corridor Rezoning Request), so she would like to move and place this item to be heard
in conjunction with the related one .
There wa s a brief discussion regarding how a copy of the Agenda Addition had been emailed to
the City Cowncil members and had als o been included in the agenda.
Council Member Turk moved to suspend the rules and add the item to the agenda under
New Business item D.2, Rezoning-2024-0038: (71B Corridor Rezoning Request). Council
Member Bunch seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously.
This item was added to the agenda and placed under New Business item D.2.
Consent:
Approval of the September 17, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes
APPROVED
Verizon Communications, Inc. (Purchase Agreement): A resolution to approve the purchase of
wireless services and equipment from Cellco Partnership d /b/a Verizon Wireless , pursuant to a
National Association of State Procurement Officials Valuepoint Cooperative Purchasing
Agreement, on an as needed basis through August I I , 2025 and any future renewal periods.
Resolution 242-24 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Premier irailer Sales, Inc. (Purchase Agreement): A resolution to approve the purchase of a
20 ' low profile tandem axle trailer from Premier Trailer Sales in the amount of $17 ,292 .70 , plus
any applicable surcharges , freight charges , and delivery fees up to I 0% of the original purchase
price , and to approve a budget adjustment.
Resolution 243-24 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
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Lewis Ford Sales, Inc. (Purchase Agreement): A resolution to approve the purchase of a Ford
F 150 Hybrid from Lewis Ford Sales , Inc., pursuant to Ordinance 6491 , in the amount of
$53 ,298.00, plus any applicable surcharges, freight charges, and delivery fees up to · I 0% of the
original purchase price, and to approve a budget adjustment.
Resolution 244-24 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
RJN Group, Inc. (Service Agreement): A resolution to approve a Professional Engineering
Services Agreement with RJN Group, Inc., pursuant to RFQ #24-0 I Selection #3, in an amount
not to exceed $267,380 .00 for waterline condition assessment pre-planning services , and to
approve a budget adjustment.
Resolution 245-24 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
McClelland Consulting Engineers, Inc. (Amendment No. 1): A resolution to approve
Amendment No . I to the Professional Engineering Services Agreement with McClelland
Consulting Engineers , Inc. in the amount of $35 ,300 .00 for construction phase services for the
College Avenue Waterline Replacement Project.
Resolution 246-24 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Walmart Revenue Recognition (Budget Adjustment): A resolution to approve a budget
adjustment in the amount of $15 ,000 .00 recognizing revenue received from Wal-Mart.
Resolution 247-24 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
State Fire Protection Services Program -Act 833 (Budget Adjustment): A resolution to
approve a budget adjustment in the amount of $32 ,658.00 allocating state fire protection services
program funds for the purchase of fire equipment.
Resolution 248-24 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Police Department Policies (Council Approval): A resolution to approve Fayetteville Police
Department Policies 1.1 .1 Law Enforcement Agency Role ; 1.2 .1 Limits of Authority; 12.1.1
Organizational Structure, Function and Direction; 12.2.1 Policies , Procedures , Rules
Development, & Review Procedures ; 41.1.1 Patrol; 41.2.5 Missing Persons ; 41.3 .6 Narcotic
Overdose Intranasal Naloxone; 42.1.1 Criminal Investigations ; and 71 .1.1 Detainee
Transportation.
Resolution 249-24 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Council Member Berna moved to accept the Consent Agenda as read. Council Member Turk
seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously.
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Public Hearing:
City Council Meeting Minutes
October I , 2024
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Don Cabron Night Club, Inc. (Private Club Application): An ordinance to approve the
application of Jessica Aguilar-Hiett, on behalf of VIP Club d /b/a Don Cabron Night Club, for a
permit to operate as a private club in the City of Fayetteville at 326 North West Avenue , Suite 6.
Mayor Jordan opened the Public Hearing. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Tim Shepard, Police Department Administrative Services Captain gave a brief description of the
ordinance. He stated the Police Department had responded to three calls of service at the location ,
none of which had shown any wrongdoing of the business itself. He stated the Police Department
had completed 50 business checks at the location and had found no issues. He noted the staff at
the location had always been cooperative. He acknowledged questions that had been received
regarding the property owner not having experience in running a business that served alcohol by
noting there was a partner involved that had that experience.
Jessica Aguilar Hiett, Owner of Don Cabron Night Club stated she was available for questions .
Council Member Turk thanked Captain Shepard for addressing her questions.
Council Member Berna moved to suspend the rules and go to the second reading. Council
Member Stafford seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Council Member Berna moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading.
Council Member Stafford seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed
unanimously.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Mayor Jordan asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed
unanimously.
Ordinance 6795 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk
U nfinishetl Business:
Urban Fo11estry Management Plan (Approval): A resolution to approve and adopt the Urban
Forestry Management Plan. At the February 6, 2024 C ity Cou ncil Meeting this resolution was
tabled to the August 6, 2024 City Council Meeting. At the August 6, 2024 City Counci l Meeting
this resolution was tabled to the October 1, 2024 City Cou ncil Meeting.
John Scott, Urban Forester stated staff was waiting for feedback from the public regarding the
item and therefo re requested it be tabled to the November 7 , 2024 City Council Meeting .
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Council Member Stafford moved to table the resolution to the November 7, 2024 City
Council Meeting. Council Member Turk seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion
passed unanimously.
This resolution was tabled to the November 7, 2024 City Council meeting.
New Business:
Chapter 97.081 -Conduct in Parks (Amendment): An ordinance to amend § 97.08 I,
Intoxicating Beverages in Chapter 97, Parks Natural Resources, and Cultural Affairs to clarify that
the Botanical Garden Society of the Ozarks may allow alcoholic beverages to be served on its
premises without the need for a special event permit.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Alison Jumper, Parks , Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs Director gave a brief description
of the request and stated the ordinance would provide clarification that the Botanical Garden
Society of the Ozarks did not need any further city permits to serve alcohol on the lease premises ,
so long as they fully complied with the City's alcoholic beverage control requirements.
Council Member Moore moved to suspend the rules and go to the second reading. Council
Member Jones seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Council Member Moore moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading.
Council Member Stafford seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed
unanimously.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Mayor Jordan asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed
unanimously.
Ordinance 6796 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Rezoning-2024-0038: (71B Corridor Rezoning Request): An ordinance to rezone the property
described in Rezoning Petition RZN 2024-38 for approximately 586 acres for various properties
within the city limits along the 71 B Corridor located primarily on North College Avenue and
School Avenue in Wards I, 2, and 3 from various zoning districts to Urban Corridor and RSF-4,
Residential Single-Family, Four Units Per Acre.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
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Council Member Berna moved to suspend the rules and allow Britin Bostick an additional I 0
minutes to present her presentation on the item considering its complexity. The City Council was
agreeable to allotting Britin Bostick additional time.
Britin Bostick, Long Range Planning/Special Projects Manager gave a brief description of the
ordinance and of the public input that had been received on the request. She stated she had sent
out approximately 2 ,000 letters and the City had received back IO comments in favor , one
comment opposed to the request, three requests to be included in the Urban Corridor zoning district
and three requests to be excluded from the Urban Corridor zoning district. She spoke of the
population growth within the City of Fayetteville and how there was a need for additional housing.
She noted the Fire Marshall was present for any questions relating to the fire apparatus access
requirements .
There was a brief discussion between Council Member Turk and Britin Bostick regarding the areas
where the Residential Single Family , Four Units Per Acre zoning district would abut the proposed
Urban Corridor zoning district and the separation between housing in those areas.
There was a brief discussion between Council Member Stafford and Britin Bostick regarding the
properties , like Rolling Hills and Fiesta Square, that had requested to be excluded from the Urban
Corridor zoning district and if the City Council would need to amend the current map to exclude
them. Britin Bostick stated what she had brought forward was the Planning Commissions
recommendation and if the City Council wanted to amend the Urban Corridor zoning district map ,
she would prefer that be done on paper so staff could make those amendments and include them
in the Agenda Packet for consideration.
Council Member Berna stated Britin Bostick, and staff, had done a great job on the proposal. He
questioned if the general public knew that they could request for their properties to be excluded
from the Urban Corridor rezoning.
Britin Bostick stated staff had sent letters to the property owners regarding the potential rezoning
and had received calls from approximately 33 property owners with questions regarding the
proposal. She stated that three property owners had stated they did not want to be included in the
rezoning , and she had then requested they submitted that in writing so she could include that for
consideration to the City Council.
There was then a brief discussion between Council Member Berna and Britin Bostick regarding if
the City was giving existing businesses , like storage units , a monopoly by saying no other
competitioA could come in around them in the proposed Urban Corridor zoning district by not
allowing future development of those same kinds of businesses. Britin Bostick compared that
situation to the City putting a cap on the Type Two Short-Term Rentals and believed that monopoly
scenario was not exclusive to this particular rezoning request. She believed it was what happened
as a City e volved its policies . They then went into a brief discussion regarding why the City had
excluded storage units. Britin Bostick explained how consistent feedback that had been gathered
was that people did not want to see more storage units , they wanted a place to live .
The City Council received I public comment regarding this ordinance.
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Council Member Stafford stated he had been waiting for this zoning district for a long time and
was ready to go through all three readings. He recommended that anyone who had fears of the
height proposed in the Urban Corridor zoning district to drive by some of the seven story buildings
in Fayetteville and see that they weren 't as scary as one might expect. He spoke of how the City
needed to have height as it grew and that in doing so in the 71 B Corridor, it could take pressure
off of other neighborhoods in the City that were experiencing the pressure of infill. He believed
the request could help the City eliminate the current housing deficit and that this was the best path
forward. He appreciated the work that had went into the proposal and believed the City needed
more opportunities for local businesses and was in full support of the request .
Council Member Turk stated she was very supportive of the request ; however, she believed the
City needed to give it a lot of thought to make sure it was a good fit for all the citizens affected.
She spoke of her negative experience when living in a home that had a large development go in
next door that had been eight stories tall and believed the City needed to be careful and diligent
when considering the request and considering those who wanted to be included and excluded from
the zoning district. She would like to leave the item on it 's First Reading and have everyone take
a closer look at the maps and the information available , and also drive by the area. She believed
the City needed additional housing and walkability but believed it should be done thoughtfully . .
Council Member Moore stated she was ready to move forward with the request and believed the
City had done an incredible job in public outreach and notification . She had concerns that if the
proposed zoning district were watered down any further , it could potentially hurt the impact it
could have on the ability it could make for the City to grow. She also had concerns with waiting
and delaying the Urban Corridor zoning district further by continuing to have the current zoning
in place that she felt was oppressive and that went against the City 's strategic priorities.
Council Member Wiederkehr applauded staff for their efforts on the proposal. He spoke of how
he was not excited about excluding properties from the Urban Corridor zoning district because he
did not believe they would lose anything and that they wouldn 't have to change their property . He
was interested in the retail sales tax that could be brought in where the City already had existing
infrastructure. He spoke of how the trees were gone from the area and it was now impervious
surface , so he believed it would make sense to introduce this type of zoning district.
Council Member Berna agreed with everyone 's comments and spoke of how this would be a
monumental decision for the City and therefore he believed it warranted further conversation to
ensure everyone was on the same page. He would be open to holding the item on it 's First Reading .
He spoke of how he had started to receive questions from citizens in his ward and believed the
City should err on the side of taking their time to get this right and ensure those question s from the
community were answered.
Council Member Hertzberg agreed with Council Member Berna and believed it would be helpful
to leave the item on it's First Reading. She would also like to leave it on the First Reading due to
Council Member Turk's proposed amendment being the next item on the agenda, which she would
like to hear and consider before approving the current request. She then went on to speak of how
she had concerns regarding the lack of scaffolding for the Urban Corridor zoning district and stated
she was in favor of the higher density being proposed.
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Council Mem her Bunch spoke of how she had been part of the City Council when the very first
conversations had started happening regarding the 71 B Corridor. She was ready to vote and move
forward , but she would be open to holding it on the First Reading.
Council Member Stafford agreed with Council Member Wiederkehr's comments regarding not
excluding anyone from the proposal due to the properties not having to change anything.
Council Member Jones thanked Britin Bostick for her work on the proposal. He questioned if the
City Council could go back and make changes to the proposal.
Britin Bostick spoke of how staff and the Planning Commission intended to continue working on
this request to refine it and look closely at the zoning standards and development standards to
ensure that it got as close as it could to the outcomes citizens were asking for. She stated the bulk
of that work was within other places in the City Code that the Planning Commission had a focus
to work toward.
There was a brief discussion amongst the City Council and Mayor Jordan regarding how long the
City had been working on the proposal. Council Member Bunch and Mayor Jordan stated the City
had been working on the item for at least seven years .
Council Member Jones spoke of how he felt as though the process had been ongoing for a long
while and would like to vote on the item tonight.
City Attorney Kit Williams answered Council Member Jone 's original question of whether or
not the City Council could change the rezoning anytime in the future by stating probably not due
to it 's potential to lessen the value of the properties within the Urban Corridor zoning district. He
referenced the Private Property Protection Act that had been passed by the State of Arkansas. He
believed the request needed to have a lot of City Council input, attention and concern.
Mayor Jordan briefly spoke of the history around the proposal and how a lot of public input
sessions had taken place. He stated Britin Bostick had done a great job on the request.
There was a brief discussion between Council Member Wiederkehr and Mayor Jordan regarding
how the City of Fayetteville had gotten possession of College Avenue from the State of Arkansas .
Mayor Jordan then went on to speak of how the City had received a grant of $25 million that was
being used to build streetscape , alternative transportation and plant trees. He spoke of how the City
would need to average 1,000 units per year to keep with population growth in the area. He
understood the vote on the request was hard , but believed the request would need to be done
eventuatly. He briefly spoke of his concern regarding sprawl and how he wanted the rezoning to
be done right and saw the request as a chance to begin creating living units and flood the market.
Council Member Jones appreciated Mayor Jordans perspective and passion. He looked forward
to voting on the request.
Council Member Turk felt that everyone agreed on how the zoning district was a good idea and
felt that now was the time to look at the fine print and the detai Is of certain areas within the request.
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Council Member Berna stated two weeks ago he had been ready to vote on the request but now
that questions had started to come in from his constituents , he believed the item needed to be held
to address those questions and concerns. He would be in support of the request.
Council Member Bunch agreed that the item could wait two more weeks before being voted on
and encouraged anyone that had questions to relay those to staff so they could be answered in two
weeks' time.
This ordinance was left on the First Reading.
Ordinance to Amend § 161.36 Urban Corridor: An ordinance to amend § 161 .3 6 Urban
Corridor by enacting new (H) protections for single-family zoned districts to provide the same
protections for adjoining single family residential districts as currently requirea for Urban
Thoroughfare and all multi-family districts.
This item was added to the agenda and moved from Agenda Addition to be placed under New
Business item D.2, Rezoning-2024-0038: (71B Corridor Rezoning Request).
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Council Member Turk stated constituents had reached out to her with concerns for an eight story
building being next to their homes without step backs or setbacks that were required in other zoning
districts , which is why she had brought the amendment forward. She spoke of how building heights
could lead to shading issues and privacy issues . She would like if the City Council wou ld hold the
request tonight so there could be more investigation and details laid out on how the Urban Corridor
zoning district would intersect with a single family neighborhood.
Council Member Moore requested that staff explain why what had been outlined m the
amendment had not been included in the Urban Corridor zoning district.
• Britin Bostick stated it had been discussed with the Planning Commission and ultimate ly had not
been included in the proposed zoning district language due to the portion of City Code that outlines
those requirements being vague and difficult to work with. She then went on to acknowledge how
that language existed in the City's Code but was cumbersome to administer. She stated that given
the kind of fire protection requirements, fire lane requirements and ladder access requirements
within code, the Planning Commission and staff felt comfortable enough with those exist in g
requirements to not propose including that language in the proposal.
Council Member Moore spoke of how she had met with developers and heard oftentimes concern
that some areas where the City wanted density had been hard to maneuver around. She had
concerns that the amendment would hamper or create encumberment for developers trying to build
due to the various types and shapes of land .
There was a brief discussion between Council Member Stafford and Jonathan Curth regarding the
height limit within a residentially zoned area. Jonathan Curth stated it varied by district.
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There was then a brief discussion between Council Member Stafford, City Attorney Kit Williams
and Jonathan Curth regarding the potential increase of step backs for properties in the area that
would be affected by the proposed amendment. Council Member Stafford then went on to speak
of how he felt as though the amendment would be a giant overreach and would weaken what the
City Coun~il was trying to do with the Urban Corridor zoning district.
Council Member Wiederkehr believed the intent of trying to protect single family dwellings in
the Urban Corridor zoning district was good and that the City should be mindful of that. He stated
that when taking into account zoning and fire requirements, the intent of creating a degree of
separation between a single family home and a large structure might already be accomplished in
most cases. He felt as though it might behoove the City to look into different scenarios to see where
a homeowner might not be protected and to revise what was being proposed to accommodate and
protect those properties.
Council Member Berna requested the item be left on it 's First Reading, as the City Council had
left the last item , and work through scenarios to find the best outcome.
The City Council received 2 public comments regarding this ordinance.
'
Council Member Turk agreed with leaving the item on it's First Reading and felt that the item
needed to be investigated further to help protect the existing neighborhoods.
There was then a brief discussion between Council Member Turk and Jonathan Curth regarding
what information and depictions staff would need to bring to the next City Council meeting for
review. Council Member Wiederkehr then requested that if there had been an example of where
the proposed amendment had been applied in the past that it be brought to the City Council for
review.
This ordinance was left on the First Reading.
Rezoning-2024-0039: (193 W. Lafayette St/Skokos Family Limited Partnership, 484): An
ordinance to rezone the property described in Rezoning Petition RZN 2024-39 for approximately
0.15 acres located at 193 West Lafayette Street in Ward 2 from NC , Neighborhood Conservation
to NS-G , Neighborhood Services-General.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director gave a brief description of the ordinance. He
stated that when looking at the request from a land use compatibility standpoint, staff found the
request compatible and also found it to align with the City's future land use map and long range
planning goals. He spoke of how the tree canopy requirement would stay at 20% and that staff
recommended approval , with the Planning Commission having a split decision of 5-2. He stated
there had been no public comment received on the request and noted that Payne Phillips was
present as the applicant for the item.
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Payne Phillips, Brokerage Associate with Moses Tucker Partners stated they would appreciate the
City Council's support on the request. He was available for questions.
There was a brief discussion between Council Member Turk and Jonathan Curth regarding the
acreage on the property and the potential density . Jonathan Curth answered that the request was
for 0.15 acres and that the potential buildable area of the property would be approximately a 10 th
of an acre , with potentially two to three residential units being built.
Council Member Moore stated she had had mixed feelings regarding the request and noted she
had not heard anything from her constituents . She stated that one thing the City Council should
have on their radar when reviewing the request was in thinking about Lafayette being a flux point
for the Entertainment District and being a buffer to residential uses . She spoke of visibility issues
when using the area for pedestrian uses , bike uses , and automobile uses .
Council Member Stafford noted that the developable land on the property would be
approximately .12 acres and that there would be no more than two units built.
Council Member Wiederkehr stated he had not received feedback from the community on the
request either. He could see how others would easily support the item , however, he noted there
were many small available office vacancies preexisting in Ward 2. He would like to see the site
remain a residential property and would be hesitant to be supportive of the request due to wishing
an investment had been made in the property of some substance over the last five years.
There was a brief discussion between Council Member Stafford and Jonathan Curth r~ga rding a
potential business being placed across the street from the property. Council Member Stafford went
on to speak of how a walkable neighborhood should have corner shops and businesses and would
not be opposed to the request.
Council Member Moore moved to suspend the rules and go to the second reading. Council
Member Bunch seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed 7-1. Council Member
Bunch, Turk, Hertzberg, Stafford, Jones, Moore and Berna voted yes. Council Member
Wiederkehr voted no.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Council Member Moore moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading.
Council Member Jones seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed 1-1. Council
Member Bunch, Turk, Hertzberg, Stafford, Jones, Moore and Berna voted yes. Council
Member Wiederkehr voted no.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
There was a brief discussion between Council Member Turk and Jonathan Curth regarding if a bar
would be allowed under Use Unit 128. Jonathan Curth spoke of how he did not believe that use
unit would extend to a bar and spoke of how a bar was listed under Use Unit 14 .
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Mayor Jordan asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed 7-1.
Council Member Bunch, Turk, Hertzberg, Stafford, Jones, Moore and Berna voted yes.
Council Member Wiederkehr voted no.
Ordinance 6797 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Rezoning-2024-0036: (820 W. Montgomery St./Webb, 678): An ordinance to rezone the
property described in Rezoning Petition RZN 2024-36 for approximately 0.60 acres located at 820
West Montgomery Street in Ward I from RSF-4 , Residential Single-Family , Four Units Per Acre
to DG , Downtown General.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director gave a brief description of the ordinance. He
spoke of how staffs findings had been mixed when reviewing the reque st from a land use
compatibility standpoint and went on to explain how staff had not found the request to be an
appropriate infill location. He stated the tree preservation on site would drop from 25% to I 0%
and noted how the property was almost fully encumbered with floodplain. He spoke of the issues
with accessing the site and noted that there was a control of access standard present that prevented
so me propertie s from accessing South School Avenue directly . He noted the public comment that
had been received on the request, some in favor and some opposed , which had been included in
the Agenda Packet for the City Council's review. He stated the request had originally come
forward as a request to rezone to CS, Community Services , however staff had recommended
denial , and the Planning Commission had felt that there was the opportunity for a different proposal
to be brought forward. He stated the request had then been tabled and the applicant had come back
with an amendment to rezone the property to DG , Downtown General. He stated staffs
recommendation of denial still held due to concerns regarding the floodplain. He stated the
Planning Commission supported the revised request by a vote of 5-2. He noted that the applicant
currently held a business licen se for operating a short-term rental on the property . He stated
Rebecca Webb was present as the applicant for the item .
Rebecca Webb, Property Owner stated s he was available for que stion s.
Council Member Wiederkehr questioned if the property 's current use was as an Airbnb.
Rebecca Webb stated she currently lived in the house on the property and had built two Airbnb 's
on the property. She s poke of how her house faced South School A venue and how it was right in
the middle of commercial and industrial uses and spoke of how she did not see it to be feasible
that the property would stay a single family home due to its location.
Council Member Stafford had concerns regarding the floodplain on the property and that the
nei g hborhood was all very re s idential. He quest ioned what the two s mall outbuildings at the back
of the property were.
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City Council Meeting Minutes
October I , 2024
Page 13 of 15
Rebecca Webb stated there had been one out building on the property when she had bought it ,
and the two additional sheds she had built. She stated those two sheds were now air conditioned
and sheet rocked, and she had used them as Airbnb's. She stated those Airbnb's had been operating
until just recently when she had been told no by the City.
Council Member Stafford questioned if she had operated the Airbnb 's without a license.
Rebecca Web, "No, I had a license."
Council Member Stafford questioned why they were not allowed to be Airbnb's now.
Jonathan Curth stated that was an issue staff was currently working on with the ap
1
plicant. He
noted the applicant had requested a Type One Short-Term Rental license and when staff had
reviewed it based on the address, it had been addressed based on the house , and after the inspector
had visited the property and was directed to the modified sheds, it had been discovered those sheds
had been installed without building permits.
Council Member Stafford questioned if the property owner could operate those buildings as
Airbnb 's under the existing zoning.
Jonathan Curth stated that was correct and then spoke of how there were multiple layers in terms
of permitting questions , tloodway questions and utilizing the buildings as Airbnb 's that staff were
working through.
Counci~ Member Stafford questioned if there had been any comments from the neighbors.
Rebecca Webb stated she had neighbors that had spoken in favor of the request. She spoke of
where her property was situated in relation to her neighbors and how the request would not put
additional traffic through the neighborhood.
Council Member Stafford had concerns with the property not having direct access to South
School Avenue and would like to view the area and leave the item on its current reading.
Council Member Turk stated she had just gotten on the City Council when the Residential Multi-
Family, Six Units Per Acre had come forward and a lot ofneighbors had weighed in on that request.
She was unsure why they were not present to voice their concerns with this current request. She
questioned if there were two Type Two Short-Term Rental permits for the buildings on the
property.
Jonathan Curth answered that the property owner only had one Type One Short-Term Rental
permit for the property.
Council Member Turk spoke of how the City was currently at its cap with Type Two Short-Term
Rentals and questioned if the property owner was currently in the queue to get one.
Jonathan Curth stated he did not believe she was and deferred to the applicant to answer.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville , AR 72701 (479) 575 -8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov
City Council Meeting Minutes
October I , 2024
Page 14 of 15
Council Member Turk spoke of how the property was in a floodplain and that Downtown General
was a high density zoning district. She recalled that the neighborhood was almost all single family
houses and believed that the request would be a dramatic change . She could not see how she could
be supportive.
Council Member Moore questioned if there were any other zoning districts that had been
considered for the property.
Jonathan Curth stated Community Services zoning district had been the original request and that
ultimately , Downtown General served what the applicant had wanted to do with the property best.
Council Member Moore appreciated what the applicant had mentioned about the area missing
certain services. She had concerns with the property being in a floodplain and access issues. She
noted the n·eed for additional housing and transit services running through that area of town. She
stated she was not leaning one way or the other with the request and would like to see it carefully
thought about regarding what would make sense for that area.
Mayor Jordan requested that Jonathan Curth display the map that showed the buildings on the
property in the floodplain.
Council Member Stafford spoke briefly of how he was having a hard time with the request and
that he did not feel as though people in the area necessarily wanted services right next to them. He
spoke of how the area was more of an old school Fayetteville rural neighborhood and that the
request would bring in additional traffic and that it would be in a floodway.
There was .a brief discussion between Mayor Jordan , Rebecca Webb and Jonathan Curth regarding
how the structures on the property were I 2x 16 feet and did not have building permits.
Council Member Turk moved to suspend the rules and go to the second reading. Council
Member Hertzberg seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Council Member Turk moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading.
Council Member Hertzberg seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed 6-2.
Council Member Bunch, Turk, Hertzberg, Stafford, Jones and Berna voted yes. Council
Member Moore and Wiederkehr voted no.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Mayor Jordan asked shall the ordinance pass.Upon roll call the ordinance failed 1-7. Council
Member Jones voted yes. Council Member Bunch, Turk, Hertzberg, Stafford, Moore,
Wiederkehr and Berna voted no.
This ordinance failed.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville , AR 72701 (479 ) 575 -8323 www .fayetteville -ar .gov
Announcements:
City Council Meeting Minutes
October I, 2024
Page 15 of 15
Susan Norton, Chief of Staff announced the Fall Bulky Waste Cleanups. She stated the dates were
listed on the City of Fayetteville website.
City Council Agenda Session Presentations:
Sales Tax Report -Chief Financial Officer Energy Report -Environmental Director
City Council Tour: None
Adjournment: 8:27 p.m.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville , AR 72701 (479) 575 -8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov