HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-0695 (13)
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From:CityClerk
Sent:Wednesday, August 17, 2022 5:41 PM
To:Bolinger, Bonnie; Pennington, Blake; Brown, Chris; Bunch, Sarah; CityClerk; Curth,
Jonathan; Harvey, Sonia; Hertzberg, Holly; Batker, Jodi; Jones, D'Andre; Kelley,
Courtney; Kinion, Mark; Johnson, Kimberly; Rogers, Kristin; Williams, Kit; Jordan,
Lioneld; Mathis, Jeana; Paxton, Kara; Mulford, Patti; Rea, Christine; Scroggin, Sloan;
Norton, Susan; Thurber, Lisa; Turk, Teresa; Wiederkehr, Mike
Cc:esimpson@uark.edu
Subject:FW: Letter from Kyle FOR rezoning of Palmer lot: 2022-0695
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From: Ethel C. Simpson <esimpson@uark.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2022 7:02 PM
To: CityClerk <cityclerk@fayetteville-ar.gov>; Mayor <Mayor@fayetteville-ar.gov>
Subject: RE: Letter from Kyle FOR rezoning of Palmer lot
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Ethel Simpson
409 N Oliver Avenue
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As a courtesy future reference, if you have a comment about a City Council agenda item, you
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at: agendaitemcomment@fayetteville-ar.gov
Thank you.
Office of the City Clerk Treasurer
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Fayetteville, AR 72701
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From: Kyle Smith <kyle.smith@kyle4fay.org>
Sent: Sunday, August 14, 2022 7:46 AM
To: Mayor <Mayor@fayetteville-ar.gov>; Gutierrez, Sonia <sonia@voteforsoniag.com>; Jones, D'Andre
<dandre.jones@fayetteville-ar.gov>; Kinion, Mark <mark.kinion@fayetteville-ar.gov>; Wiederkehr, Mike
<mike.wiederkehr@fayetteville-ar.gov>; Scroggin, Sloan <sloan.scroggin@fayetteville-ar.gov>; Bunch, Sarah
<sarah.bunch@fayetteville-ar.gov>; Hertzberg, Holly <holly.hertzberg@fayetteville-ar.gov>
Cc: CityClerk <cityclerk@fayetteville-ar.gov>
Subject: Vote FOR: C7 Rezone @ Palmer & Hartman
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Bottom Line:
Please support the appeal of RZN-22-029 from RSF-4 to RI-U.
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Please vote against the addition of a Bill of Assurance limiting the number of units in excess of the
zoning requirements.
The property in question is addressed on Palmer Pl, but as a corner lot it has nearly as much frontage on
Hartman as well. Planning Staff recommended approval of the rezoning in accordance with the adopted city
plan, while the Planning Commission (with two absences) cast a split vote, with some questioning compatibility
with the surrounding area. RI-U only allows housing, which is perfectly compatible with an area full of
housing. I strongly encourage you to attend the tour planned on Monday and view the wider area for
yourself.
Here's what you will find on site:
This property is steps from the University. It is less than a block away from some very classy (and large) RMF-24
zoned duplex townhouses. It is immediately adjacent to an RMF-24 apartment complex on the rear property
line. The nearby homes to the north were built from the 60s-80s in typical style, and are nearing 2nd and 3rd
remodels or redevelopment as their upkeep allows. Many struggle with poorly managed storm run-off that is
resolved in redevelopment under modern standards. As a corner lot, it could easily support new construction
facing both Palmer and Hartman with minimal impact on either one. Next door to this property (to the south)
are a pair of cottages that are already non-conforming to the existing RSF-4 zoning.
Why you should approve this rezoning:
One thing is certain: this property will be redeveloped. The existing structure clearly has issues during the rain,
as you can see from the garage sandbags and gravel rutting. So the question is what will be rebuilt here.
RI-U will allow the next incremental step up for this property. It will continue the smooth transition the
adjacent cottages provide between the neighborhood construction from the 60s, 70s, and 80s to the newer and
denser construction to the south by allowing a non-apartment solution in the middle. Some have begun to
villainize RI-U as too dense due to its lack of a statutory density limit - but keep in mind it is still subject to all the
practical limits of tree preservation, street access, lot setbacks, and market demand for the area. (On a larger
policy level, it would be worth taking some time to investigate why so many applications for RI-U are coming
through: It is more flexible and allows property owners to adapt their plans to the local context, whereas most
of our RSF zones are highly limiting.) Here is an in-town example of a corner lot redeveloped under RI-U zoning:
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Leaving this property as RSF-4 will have consequences too. I'm sure someone will object to RI-U on the grounds
that the resulting homes will not be "affordable". And it's true: new construction these days is expensive. But a
single-family redevelopment alternative can be seen right around the corner at 20 Garvin. For RSF-4
redevelopment to make financial sense, the home must be even larger and more luxurious to cover land and
construction costs. I love this building but I don't think it serves the goals of preserving neighborhood character,
providing attainable housing, or conserving our tree and water resources. This is what we get when we prohibit
the next logical development.
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Multiple smaller units developed under RI-U will allow for more flexibility to retain existing tree
canopy than a single large structure under RSF-4.
Multiple smaller units developed under RI-U will allow for better management of storm run-off than a
single large structure under RSF-4.
Multiple smaller units developed under RI-U will fit the neighborhood context better than a single large
structure under RSF-4.
Multiple smaller units developed under RI-U will still be expensive, but will be more attainable than a
single large structure under RSF-4.
Multiple smaller units developed under RI-U will be homes for more residents than a single large
structure under RSF-4.
Please DO NOT Accept the Bill of Assurance:
The Bill of Assurance is not necessary. It is a diversion from our standard zoning code and creates added
complexity for enforcement. Bills of Assurance are forever. This will limit the future value of the land 50-100
years from now and I don't believe you are in an adequate place to judge the needs of Fayetteville that far
out. If the zoning codes are routinely inadequate, change them.
BoAs are useful for addressing site-specific concerns like the preservation of significant trees, streams, views,
etc, but should not be employed to restrict functions like lot size and housing density that are already addressed
in the zoning code. Specifically, the offered BoA limits the right of a homeowner to use the city's Accessory
Dwelling Unit ordinance and that line should be stricken from the BoA if it is ultimately accepted.
The developer would not offer the BoA if it weren't compatible with their current building plans, so it's hard to
see what you gain from it in the near term. The offered BoA only addresses the number of units and does not
address any of the existing tree canopy which would be much more beneficial to guarantee in perpetuity. The
offered bill of assurance is not necessary. Our zoning code provides all the necessary protections the BoA claims
to provide without tying the hands of future generations who will face different challenges. With or without the
added restrictions, the proposed RI-U zoning on this property is still preferable to the current RSF-4 zone.
Summary:
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You can't legislate to retain the past, only to shape the future. So please let go of the nostalgia for the quiet 60s
neighborhood and address the future needs of a growing campus population and an aging housing
supply. Please vote to reject the offered Bill of Assurance. And please vote to support the appeal in either
case.
-
Kyle Smith
kyle.smith@kyle4fay.org
479.274.8881
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