HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-15 - Minutes -Council Member Sonia Gutierrez
Ward 1 Position 1
Council Member D'Andre Jones
Ward I Position 2
Council Member Mark Kinion
Ward 2 Position I
Council Member Matthew Petty
Ward 2 Position 2
Mayor Lioneld Jordan
City Attorney Kit Williams
City Clerk Kara Paxton
City of Fayetteville Arkansas
City Council Meeting
June 15, 2021
City Council Meeting Minutes
June 15, 2021
Page 1 of 13
Council Member Sloan Scroggin
Ward 3 Position 1
Council Member Sarah Bunch
Ward 3 Position 2
Council Member Teresa Turk
Ward 4 Position 1
Council Member Holly Hertzberg
Ward 4 Position 2
A meeting of the Fayetteville City Council was held on June 15, 2021 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.
In order to create social distancing due to the Coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic, Council
Member Mark Kinion joined the meeting via online using a video conferencing service called
Zoom.
Mayor Lioneld Jordan, Council Members Sonia Gutierrez, D'Andre Jones, Sloan Scroggin,
Sarah Bunch, Teresa Turk, Holly Hertzberg, City Attorney Kit Williams, City Clerk
Treasurer Kara Paxton, Chief of Staff Susan Norton, Chief Financial Officer Paul Becker,
Chief of Police Mike Reynolds, Fire Chief Brad Hardin, staff members from the IT
Department, and members of the press were present in City Council Chambers while
demonstrating recommended social distancing.
Absent: Council Member Matthew Petty.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor's Announcements, Proclamations and Recognitions: None
113 West Mountain Fayetteville. AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteviIle-ar.gov
City Council Meeting Minutes
June 15, 2021
Page 2 of 13
City Council Meeting Presentations, Reports, and Discussion Items:
Nominating Committee Report
Council Member Bunch presented the Nominating Committee report and recommended the
appointments as submitted.
Council Member Gutierrez moved to approve the Nominating Committee Report as read.
Council Member Scroggin seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed 7-0.
Council Members Jones, Kinion, Scroggin, Bunch, Turk, Hertzberg and Gutierrez voting
yes. Council Member Petty was absent.
Agenda Additions:
Corona Virus State Fiscal Recovery Fund Agreement: A resolution to authorize Chief Finance
Officer Paul Becker to sign a Corona Virus State Fiscal Recovery Fund Agreement which will
allow the City of Fayetteville to request federal funds pursuant to Recovery Fund Legislation.
Mayor Jordan explained why this item was being walked on at the City Council meeting and its
importance to the city in order to request federal funds.
City Attorney Kit Williams agreed with Mayor Jordan and went on to explain the time sensitivity
and importance of this item.
Council Member Scroggin moved to add the resolution to the agenda. Council Member
Gutierrez seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed 7-0. Council Members
Jones, Kinion, Scroggin, Bunch, Turk, Hertzberg, and Gutierrez voting yes. Council
Member Petty was absent.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the resolution.
Paul Becker, Chief Financial Officer: I requested the Mayor allow me to come forward and ask
you to walk this agenda item on. Although the American Rescue Act Plan was highly publicized,
very few specifics were given immediately. It talked about direct funding to municipalities over
50,000 people in population. However, it was never quite postured how this was done originally.
We thought the money would be sent directly to the cities. However, as it went on, it asked for an
authorized individual to go online and become identified. We had personal identification of myself.
The Mayor directed me to do that. When I went to apply for the funds, it asked me to sign an
agreement for all the terms and agreements of the grant. I did attach these terms and agreement to
the resolution. They are normal federal requirements, but this is postured as a grant. I didn't realize
that at the time, so I am kind of in limbo now. I am not authorized unless the City Council
authorizes me to commit the city to meet the terms and conditions of the grant. Once I do that, we
should receive the funding. It should be in the area of $18 million dollars. The number keeps
fluctuating, but I do not know why. We get it in two increments. Once we receive this money, this
resolution has nothing to do with the appropriation or expenditure of that money. We are still
113 West Mountain Fayetteville. AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www fayetteville-ar gov
City Council Meeting Minutes
June 15, 2021
Page 3 of 13
evaluating programs and things that will come forward and make a recommendation. I have talked
to a couple of the Council Members about some of the issues thus far. We will take this money
and put it in escrow. We will come forward with a plan at a later point in time, which you can
comment, change or approve. That will give us the authority to expend the money. This is strictly
to ask for the money and put it in escrow. Many of my peers in the area have already requested
and received those funds.
Council Member Gutierrez spoke about the agenda and locating the resolution.
City Attorney Kit Williams stated it is on the city website in the agenda.
Mayor Jordan: This is why Kit read the resolution to make sure everybody is aware. This is not
spending the money. It's just getting the funding and then we will decide how we are going to
spend it. Different committees are working on ideas.
City Attorney Kit Williams reread a section of the resolution for clarity.
Council Member Gutierrez moved to approve the resolution. Council Member Jones
seconded the motion. Upon roll call the resolution passed 7-0. Council Members Jones,
Kinion, Scroggin, Bunch, Turk, Hertzberg, and Gutierrez voting yes. Council Member Petty
was absent.
Resolution 171-21 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Consent:
Approval of the June 1, 2021 City Council meeting minutes.
APPROVED
Purchase of Petroleum -Based Oils and Lubricants: A resolution to approve the purchase of
Petroleum -Based Oils and Lubricants on an as -needed basis from various vendors and in various
quantities through the end of 2025.
Resolution 172-21 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
U.S. Geological Survey: A resolution to approve a Joint Funding Agreement with the U.S.
Geological Survey for Stream Gauge Operation and Maintenance and water quality sampling and
monitoring at various locations in the City of Fayetteville in 2021 with the amount paid by the city
not to exceed $61,721.00.
Resolution 173-21 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission: A resolution to express the willingness
of the City of Fayetteville to apply for Federal Aid Funds through the Northwest Arkansas
113 West Mountain Fayetteville. AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www fayetteville-ar.gov
City Council Meeting Minutes
June 15, 2021
Page 4 of 13
Regional Planning Commission in the amount of $6,000,000.00 for two road improvement
projects, and to approve a city match of $1,500,000.00 for the projects.
Resolution 174-21 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Flintco, LLC Change Order No. 4: A resolution to approve Change Order No. 4 to the
Construction Manager at risk contract with Flintco, LLC for the Police Headquarters Project in the
amount of $8,654,440.00, and to approve a budget adjustment - 2019 Police Headquarters Bond
Project.
Resolution 175-21 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Parks and Recreation Donation Revenue: A resolution to approve a budget adjustment in the
total amount of $14,891.00 recognizing donation revenue from citizens and local businesses to the
Parks and Recreation Department.
Resolution 176-21 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Council Member Gutierrez moved to accept the Consent Agenda as read. Council Member
Scroggin seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed 7-0. Council Members Jones,
Kinion, Scroggin, Bunch, Turk, Hertzberg, and Gutierrez voting yes. Council Member Petty
was absent.
Unfinished Business:
Amend Stormwater Regulations: An ordinance to amend various chapters of the Unified
Development Code to update stormwater regulations for developments in Fayetteville. This
ordinance was left on the Second Reading at the June 1, 2021 City Council Meeting.
Council Member Gutierrez moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading.
Council Member Turk seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed 7-0. Council
Members Jones, Kinion, Scroggin, Bunch, Turk, Hertzberg, and Gutierrez voting yes.
Council Member Petty was absent.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
City Attorney Kit Williams: At the last meeting, I presented two potential amendments to help
clarify this, especially Exhibit H, which is Chapter 170 Stormwater Management and Drainage. If
you want to accept these potential amendments, you would have to make a motion to change
Exhibit H to reflect the amendments that I had presented to you at the last meeting.
Mayor Jordan: We would need to change Exhibit H to reflect the amendments?
113 West Mountain Fayetteville. AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www fayetteville-ar gov
City Council Meeting Minutes
June 15, 2021
Page 5 of 13
City Attorney Kit Williams: Eventually, I hope they would consider making those amendments.
They can wait for public comment if they would rather do that first. I don't know if Mr. Pugh
wants to make any comments.
Mayor Jordan: Our Rules of Order and Procedure say we don't take public comment on
amendments.
City Attorney Kit Williams: Yes, that is correct, unless the City Council calls for it.
Council Member Turk: I would like to open it up for public comment on the amendment.
Mayor Jordan spoke about the Rules of Order and Procedure.
City Attorney Kit Williams clarified the Rules of Order and Procedure regarding unanimous
consent.
City Attorney Kit Williams: There are two basic amendments. The first one was to amend
Section 170.02 Adoption of the Drainage Criteria Manual. We have had this particular section in
code for about 25 years. What it has always said is the City Engineer can make amendments to
this. It can't be contrary to the actual code itself. It should be in the spirit of what you are doing.
Sometimes there are minor tweaks that need to be done. The Drainage Criteria Manual is fairly
long and that is why it's not in the code. It is 80 or 90 pages and has diagrams. It is better to not
have it in the code. There were two reasons I recommended this particular amendment. First, if
you all adopt Exhibit H as recommended, it doesn't agree with the current Drainage Criteria
Manual. I do not like to see it be in conflict. Secondly, is to have the City Engineer to report to the
City Council of any amendments they are going to make. That way you all will know if they are
amending it and why. It is an informational item so you will know what is going on all the time
with this manual.
Susan Norton, Chief of Staff Alan Pugh has some clarifying statements he wants to make about
the amendments.
Alan Pugh, Engineer stated we spoke about the Legacy Drainage Plans. He stated the image on
the screen was shown to the Council as the Legacy Drainage Plans. He stated that is not revised,
with the exception that we became aware of an additional one. He stated behind Lowe's, there's
an existing commercial business park called, Timberlake Office Park. He stated we don't feel it
would be impacted by the proposed amendment, as drafted by the City Attorney's Office because
it does have language requiring there be repetitive law structures and continual flooding. He stated
although there are some issues with the City of Johnson that may require us to ask to relook at that
as this develops out. He stated we don't anticipate any major changes but wanted to make sure the
Council was aware of that slight revision before moving forward with any amendments.
City Attorney Kit Williams: That was the second part. That wasn't the Drainage Criteria Manual
amendment. That related to the second proposal I had.
The City Council received one public comment regarding this ordinance.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov
City Council Meeting Minutes
June 15, 2021
Page 6 of 13
Ally Brown, Citizen at 3658 Mountain View Drive spoke about her father's property regarding
stormwater drainage. She stated when it rains it triggers her father to go check if there is water at
the end of his road or if it's coming up to his back door at an uncomfortable level. She stated in
2017 a flood delivered nine inches to his home and two inches above that qualifying a 100 flood
mark for the seven inches, which did destroy his home. She spoke about the insurance check not
covering the whole home to restore. She stated for the city to appropriately tout its efforts on
climate change, it must pass the stormwater utility fee ordinance. She stated that's at the heart of
management of the water, as well to bring in money for projects like streambank restoration and
predictable drainage cleaning schedules. She stated we need to be in the nooks of older
neighborhoods building up streambanks with trees. She spoke about holding the developers
accountable with the best practices.
City Attorney Kit Williams: The speaker has been in contact with Council Member Turk, myself,
and the Mayor. That is one of the main reasons I drafted the second amendment. It will allow the
City Engineers and our Stormwater Engineer to look at issues where we have had problems in the
past downstream of lots that will be potentially developed, which are part of another plat.
Normally, if you have already had a plat approved and have a stormwater management plan for
that plat already approved, then that's all the developer has to do. In order to look at these three
different areas that have been described, including this new one that Alan just told us about, we
had to have language in here that would authorize our Stormwater Engineer to look at the problem
and then be able to require when this new parcel is being developed, that they do comply with the
current best practices with our current ordinance that you all are passing. Also, that they will
consider some cost shares. Developers are not required to stop all the water from going away from
their property. If we are trying to affect drainage problems downstream, then it is probably much
more cost effective for the city to work with the developer in a cost share situation to have
increased detention or other things that can help reduce some of the flow. When we do that, part
of that is going to be the city's cost. We are doing it, not just for this developer, but we are doing
that for the people downstream, which are our taxpayers. This amendment is designed to do just
that.
Mayor Jordan: Alan, do you want to weigh in on that?
Alan Pugh: Our City Attorney covered that fairly well.
Council Member Turk: Alan, my only concern with Kit's amendment, is do you have the
authority backing you to require the developer in these legacy drainage situations to make these
changes? I want to make sure you have enough authority given and wouldn't be pressured to
minimize some of these requirements to protect properties downstream.
Alan Pugh: I appreciate that concern. The way the amendment is drafted, such that it's tied directly
to known downstream flooding in several of these areas downstream of our existing legacy plans,
do have known flooding. It is not very subjective. If we do have that downstream flooding, they
are required to take another look at that by our latest Drainage Criteria Manual. It would include
water quality, channel protection as applicable, and potentially we would look at those detention
requirements. Although those did not change drastically, I feel like it would cover the situations
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayeffeville-ar.gov
City Council Meeting Minutes
June 15, 2021
Page 7 of 13
that are most at hand. In consultation with our City Attorney, he felt that tying it to that was the
most defensible from a city standpoint.
City Attorney Kit Williams: A lot that can be accomplished if this is passed will rely upon the
Council for agreeing to whatever cost shares the Stormwater Engineer and developer could come
up with. We need to pay our fair share. The best way to spend our money is upstream of these
problems.
Ally Brown stated she appreciated the responsiveness from local government and everybody's
willingness to listen. She reiterated her earlier thoughts and concerns.
Council Member Turk moved to amend the ordinance as drafted by the City Attorney and
accept the two amendments. Council Member Scroggin seconded the motion. Upon roll call
the motion passed 7-0. Council Members Jones, Kinion, Scroggin, Bunch, Turk, Hertzberg,
and Gutierrez voting yes. Council Member Petty was absent.
Alan Pugh gave a brief description of the ordinance.
Council Member Turk: Thank you to staff for going back and drafting this and trying to get it
right. Thank you for balancing and fill in some of these exceptions that have happened.
Ordinance 6446 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk
New Business:
Enact §94.06 Third Party Inspection and Reports System Fire Protection and Prevention
Ordinance: An ordinance to enact §94.06 Third Party Inspection and Reports System Fire
Protection and Prevention Ordinance Concerning Third -Party Protection and Control, Inspection,
Testing, and Maintenance Reporting of The Fayetteville Code.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Brad Hardin, Fire Chief gave a brief description of the ordinance. He spoke about the inspections
being in a digital format. He stated we are hoping with this new format that we will get more
thorough and frequent reports.
Council Member Turk: There is a $15 charge not to exceed. Do you all currently have a similar
charge or is this an increase or a change?
Brad Hardin, Fire Chief. This fee won't go to us. This is a fee that's assessed to the businesses
from the third party inspector. We are saying that it will not be more than $15 for this fee. It is
currently charged. I can't say all of the inspectors charge it, but the ones that inspect our fire stations
charge a $15 fee.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov
City Council Meeting Minutes
June 15, 2021
Page 8 of 13
Council Member Scroggin moved to suspend the rules and go to the second reading. Council
Member Hertzberg seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed 7-0. Council
Members Jones, Kinion, Scroggin, Bunch, Turk, Hertzberg, and Gutierrez voting yes.
Council Member Petty was absent.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Council Member Scroggin moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading.
Council Member Gutierrez seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed 7-0.
Council Members Jones, Kinion, Scroggin, Bunch, Turk, Hertzberg, and Gutierrez voting
yes. Council Member Petty was absent.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Mayor Jordan asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed 7-0.
Council Members Jones, Kinion, Scroggin, Bunch, Turk, Hertzberg, and Gutierrez voting
yes. Council Member Petty was absent.
Ordinance 6447 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk
RZN-2021-041 (431 E. MLK Blvd./Espinoza): An ordinance to rezone that property described
in Rezoning Petition RZN 21-041 located at 431 East Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard for
approximately 0.20 acres from NC, Neighborhood Conservation to RI-U, Residential
Intermediate -Urban.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director gave a brief description of the ordinance. He
stated staff found the proposal to align with existing land uses and adopted plans. He stated at a
high level, rezoning the property leverages a lot of the existing amenities and services in the area,
including the nearby Fire Departments downtown and on Happy Hollow. He stated it's in close
proximity to Walker Park. He stated the property is not located in a floodplain, nor does it have
any hydric soils present. He stated staff believes it would be an appropriate place to support some
additional variety and housing types. He stated staff received public comment during the Planning
Commission process. He stated the neighbor immediately to the West had concerns about parking
and may compromise what they felt is a purely single family area. He stated the RI-U zoning
district is a tool we often see being used for single family dwellings. He stated staff recommends
in favor. He stated the Planning Commission recommend in favor unanimously.
Council Member Turk stated since there was a member of the public concerned about the
parking, if it's zoned RI-U, is that any different than Neighborhood Conservation?
Jonathan Curth: It is not. Our parking code is based on the type of housing being proposed, not
the zoning district. If single family dwellings are built, that's required to provide two onsite parking
spaces per dwelling. If they did want to do attached housing, that's when it starts to be required by
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www fayetteville-ar gov
City Council Meeting Minutes
June 15, 2021
Page 9 of 13
the bedroom. If they did a triplex or a quadplex, if they were one bedroom per unit, it could just
be one space they have to provide, whereas if it gets higher, like some of the ones you see closer
to campus where they're four bedroom, you have to provide four parking spaces.
Council Member Gutierrez: On the tree preservation, the current one requires a 20% minimum
canopy and the new one is 15%?
Jonathan Curth: That is correct. Several of our single family districts have a 20% or 25%
minimum canopy, whereas more of our urban districts tend to get down to 15% or 10% minimum
requirement. If it was developed under the exemption we previously discussed for single and two
family dwellings, which until the stormwater ordinances enacted, it wouldn't be subject to any tree
preservation at all. Staff has started trying to incorporate more of those environmental
considerations into our up -front reports for you all.
Council Member Gutierrez moved to suspend the rules and go to the second reading. Council
Member Scroggin seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed 7-0. Council
Members Jones, Kinion, Scroggin, Bunch, Turk, Hertzberg, and Gutierrez voting yes.
Council Member Petty was absent.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Council Member Gutierrez 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 7-0. Council
Members Jones, Kinion, Scroggin, Bunch, Turk, Hertzberg, and Gutierrez voting yes.
Council Member Petty was absent.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Mayor Jordan asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed 7-0.
Council Members Jones, Kinion, Scroggin, Bunch, Turk, Hertzberg, and Gutierrez voting
yes. Council Member Petty was absent.
Ordinance 6448 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk
RZN-2021-042 (1000 W. Bulldog Blvd./FHS Properties): An ordinance to rezone that property
described in Rezoning Petition RZN 21-042 for approximately 22.80 acres located at 1000 West
Bulldog Boulevard from RMF-24, Residential Multi Family, 24 units per acre; RMF-40,
Residential Multi Family, 40 units per acre; and P-1, Institutional to P-1, Institutional.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director gave a brief description of the ordinance. He
stated the school district plans on making significant capital improvements and using the property
into the future for the high school. He stated staff recommends approving the request. He stated
the Planning Commission agreed unanimously. He stated they also agreed that the likelihood
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www fayetteville-ar gov
City Council Meeting Minutes
June 15, 2021
Page 10 of 13
housing would ever be developed on any of the portions of the property zoned multifamily was
very unlikely.
Zach Hixson, Applicant stated he was available for questions.
Council Member Gutierrez: The rezoning is increasing the tree preservation to 5%. It's going
from 20% to 25%.
Jonathan Curth: That is an interesting nuance when I started here at the city. The community I
came from didn't have a tree preservation ordinance. My understanding was you have to plant 25%
of your property worth of trees, which is a misconception. I feel like that leads to a lot of friction
with our state legislature in particular. If a property does not have 25% canopy, we don't make
people plant up to 25% canopy. Similarly, 25% is the aspiration and our foresters work very hard
with developers to keep it if it's already there, but built into our ordinance is the flexibility where,
if you do have to cut some of that down, you may have to plant on site. If you're already below the
25%, anything that's removed at that point does have to be mitigated. The preference always being
that it's preserved on site. The next tier in the hierarchy is, you'd have to mitigate on site and then
going down from there, possibly mitigating on other properties, which the school district has many
that could potentially plant trees on.
Council Member Scroggin moved to suspend the rules and go to the second reading. Council
Member Gutierrez seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed 7-0. Council
Members Jones, Kinion, Scroggin, Bunch, Turk, Hertzberg, and Gutierrez voting yes.
Council Member Petty was absent.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Council Member Scroggin moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading.
Council Member Gutierrez seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed 7-0.
Council Members Jones, Kinion, Scroggin, Bunch, Turk, Hertzberg, and Gutierrez voting
yes. Council Member Petty was absent.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Mayor Jordan asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed 7-0.
Council Members Jones, Kinion, Scroggin, Bunch, Turk, Hertzberg, and Gutierrez voting
yes. Council Member Petty was absent.
Ordinance 6449 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Appeal RZN 2020-028 (East of W. Michael Cole Dr & W. Wedington Dr./Kidder): An
ordinance to rezone that property described in Rezoning Petition RZN 21-028 for approximately
5.1 acres located on West Wedington Drive East of Michael Cole Drive from R-A, Residential
Agricultural to RI-U, Residential Intermediate -Urban and NS-1, Neighborhood Services -Limited.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville. AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www fayetteville-ar gov
City Council Meeting Minutes
June 15, 2021
Page 11 of 13
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director gave a brief description of the ordinance. He
gave a brief history of the project. He stated a previous request was submitted to staff in late 2020
to rezone the property, which is currently RA to RMF-18. He stated staff recommended denial of
that request and in January of 2021 the Planning Commission agreed and denied it. He stated this
request was appealed to City Council. He stated a request was brought forward to rezone the
property from R-A to NS-L and the remainder of the property to RI-U. He stated staff's
recommendation changed to approval and supports the request. He stated Council felt they needed
the input of the Planning Commission and sent it to them for consideration. He stated the Planning
Commission made a motion to forward it and it failed by four to five. He stated this was appealed
to Council. He stated although it may seem like an appeal of the same request, it's just the same
property and a different request. He stated we received a significant amount of public comments
in the form of a petition with the very first request, but with the current request, we've not seen
that petition resubmitted again. He stated staff is in favor of the request and the Planning
Commission failed to vote in favor of a motion to forward the item.
Robert Rhoads, Hall Estill Law Firm: I spoke to Council Members today from Ward 4. Based on
those conversations and questions that Council Member Scroggin brought up at the Agenda
Session, I believe this is going to be left on the First Reading tonight. This is a classic case that I
think this Council and prior Councils have always kind of liked when somebody would come
before Council or the Planning Commission and it got public push back. After that public push
back, there's a sort of give and take. In this case, the petitioners listened to what staff and Planning
Commission had to say and they revamped it dramatically with a whole lot less density.
Mayor Jordan requested to know what the Ward 4 Council Members have heard.
Council Member Turk: I haven't heard much. We are going to have a Ward 4 meeting coming
up in a week and a half. That would be great opportunity to put it on the agenda and make sure
they're aware of this.
Council Member Hertzberg: I haven't heard, but I'm looking forward to our Ward 4 meeting.
Mayor Jordan stated they would hold it on this reading.
Council Member Scroggin: How different is this from RMF-18? Could you build RMF-18 or
something close to that with the new zoning?
Jonathan Curth: I would say no, generally. The biggest distinction between the RMF-18 zoning
district and either of the proposed zoning districts, is the size of the buildings. Under RMF-18, you
can build up to a five story multifamily building, which is unlikely at this part of town. The RI-U
zoning district breaks down building sizes a bit more. You can only build up to two stories near
the street. If you want to go to a third story, the building needs to be set back a little bit further.
Similarly, you can't build multifamily, so the maximum number of units you can attach by right is
four. If you wanted to pursue multifamily, it would have to come through as a conditional use. So,
in those terms, I would certainly say not. Hypothetically, the Residential Intermediate Urban
113 West Mountain Fayetteville. AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www fayetteville-ar gov
City Council Meeting Minutes
June 15, 2021
Page 12 of 13
zoning district has no density, like many of our hybrid or form based districts. The constraints on
the density becomes our development code, as far as tree preservation, drainage standards and
other pieces of the zoning code, like building height. I would assert that it could not be the same.
Theoretically, you could potentially get the same number of units, but the massing of the building
would be much more relatable to what's in the area.
Council Member Scroggin: That's good to hear. It's kind of known in the development
community that if you want to build houses, you trick City Council with form based design and
then go, "Oh that's great, we're going to get mixed use" and then you don't. I'm not entirely sure
how I'm going to vote on this because we had a massive petition against housing there and that
density. It didn't pass at the Planning Commission, voted based on the potential for mixed use, but
it's only potential, unless the developer doesn't want it and then there's none. This is pretty far
outside the Mayor's box. Wedington is already a death trap. There's a lot of concerns about
residential density. I would love to see some services.
Council Member Gutierrez: Council Member Scroggin, at Agenda Session did you mention you
were interested in connecting about notifications for appeals? Is there any forward movement?
Council Member Scroggin: Yes, I was asked about this from staff. I don't think this particular
item needs any more requirements than we already had. I don't like changing the rules in the middle
of the game. I do think moving forward, we should do that. I'm under the impression that is moving
forward for future appeals that there will be new notification. Hopefully that will be brought to us
to vote. I don't think it would be fair to this applicant to change the rule here.
Council Member Gutierrez: I was definitely talking about the future.
Council Member Turk: We have a Ward 4 meeting on June 28, 2021. I will make sure it's on
the agenda.
This ordinance was left on the First Reading.
Announcements:
Susan Norton, Chief of Staff: You all recall you passed the resolution of intent to have the Office
of Economic Vitality work on a revision to the Development Plan, which also includes an aspect
for economic recovery. There is a platform on our Speak Up site to invite individuals to sign up if
you'd like to participate in any of the focus groups that are ongoing. The plan is underway and has
been very active. There's a questionnaire for people to be able to articulate their priorities for our
economic recovery and economic vitality moving forward. It's online right now, and people are
welcome to please join. The League of American Bicyclists has honored 30 businesses in
Fayetteville for the Bicycle Friendly Business award. The City of Fayetteville has now received a
silver designation, up from last year's bronze designation. We're continuing to excel in our bike
friendly businesses. On June 16, 2021 on the Fayetteville Square from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, the
Community Blood Center of the Ozarks will have the blood mobile and a blood drive. The Gulley
Park Concert series kicks off on June 24, 2021 with Jukeboxx.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar gov
City Council Meeting Minutes
June 15, 2021
Page 13 of 13
Mayor Jordan: The Fayetteville Police Department is having a Pop Up Party at Asbell Park from
Noon until 2:00 pm on June 16, 2021.
Council Member Gutierrez: Slow Streets is happening on June 20, 2021 from 11:00 am to 2:00
pm at the corner of Betty Jo Drive and Jewell.
City Council Agenda Session Presentations:
Agenda Session Presentation - Audit Committee Presentation of the 2020 Financial Audit.
Agenda Session Presentation - Fleet Operations.
Agenda Session Presentation - 2020 Energy Action Plan Update.
ournment: 7:02 PM
GOER K
n ld Jo •da , Mayor Kara Paxton, City erk Trea urer AYE
'•9sy9' ANSNS, ;
ow; 0�,,,```��
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov