HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-09-20 - Minutes -Council Member Sonia Harvey
Ward 1 Position 1
Council Member D'Andre Jones
Ward 1 Position 2
Council Member Mark Kinion
Ward 2 Position 1
Council Member Mike Wiederkehr
Ward 2 Position 2
Mayor Lionel Jordan
City Attorney Kit Williams
City Clerk Treasurer Kara Paxton
City of Fayetteville Arkansas
City Council Meeting
September 20, 2022
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 20, 2022
Page I of 28
Council Member Sloan Scroggin
Ward 3 Position I
Council Member Sarah Bunch
Ward 3 Position 2
Council Member Teresa Turk
Ward 4 Position I
Council Member Holly Hertzberg
Ward 4 Position 2
A meeting of the Fayetteville City Council was held on September 20, 2022 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 Sonia Harvey, D'Andre Jones, Mark Kinion, Mike
Wiederkehr, Sloan Scroggin, Sarah Bunch, Teresa Turk, Holly Hertzberg, Mayor Lioneld
Jordan, City Attorney Kit Williams, City Clerk Treasurer Kara Paxton, Communications
& Marketing Director Lisa Thurber, Chief Financial Officer Paul Becker, Staff, Press and
Audience.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor's Announcements Proclamations and Recognitions:
Mayor Jordan welcomed journalism students from the University of Arkansas.
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. She stated there were several positions still vacant the city did not
receive applications for. She stated these positions would be showing up on the next quarter
vacancies.
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Council Member Hertzberg moved to approve the Nominating Committee Report as read.
Council Member Turk seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Additions: None
Consent:
Approval of the August 16, 2022 City Council Meeting Minutes.
APPROVED
Recognizing Additional Revenue for Parking Facilities and Services: A resolution to approve
a budget adjustment in the amount of $100,000.00 recognizing additional revenue and associated
expenses for certain parking facilities and services.
Resolution 209-22 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
LC Joint Adventures, LLC to Creamer Pilot Services, LLC Agreement: A resolution to
approve the Agreement for Assignment of a lease for Airport property located at 4560 South
School Avenue from LC Joint Adventures, LLC to Creamer Pilot Services, LLC.
Resolution 210-22 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Arkansas Department of Transportation: A resolution to approve a payment of $48,51 l .28 to
the Arkansas Department of Transportation for the construction of a side path along Wedington
Drive at the intersection of Interstate 49, and to approve a budget adjustment.
Resolution 211-22 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
EZest Solutions, LLC d/b/a Dumpster Dudez of Northwest Arkansas: A resolution to approve
an agreement with EZest Solutions, LLC d/b/a Dumpster Dudez of Northwest Arkansas for the
hauling and disposal of solid waste in the City of Fayetteville.
Resolution 212-22 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Water Leak and Sewer Overflow Damage Claims: A resolution to approve a budget adjustment
in the amount of $100,000.00 to appropriate additional funds for water leak and sewer overflow
damage claims that may occur in 2022.
Resolution 213-22 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Water and Sewer Division Minor Equipment: A resolution to approve a budget adjustment in
the amount of $25,000.00 to appropriate funds for minor equipment purchases by the Water and
Sewer Division that may occur in 2022.
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City Council Meeting Minutes
September 20, 2022
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Resolution 214-22 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
State Drug Crime Enforcement and Prosecution Grant: A resolution to authorize acceptance
of a State Drug Crime Enforcement and Prosecution Grant for state funding of the Fourth Judicial
District Drug Task Force in the amount of $91,319.00, and to authorize Mayor Jordan to sign all
necessary documents to receive the grant funds.
Resolution 215-22 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Axon Enterprise, Inc.: A resolution to approve a ten year Service Agreement with Axon
Enterprise, Inc. and authorize the purchase of body worn cameras, taser conducted energy
weapons, interview room video recorders, and digital mobile video recorder systems in the total
amount of $4,186,494.72 pursuant to a Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Contract, for use by
the Police Department, and to approve a budget adjustment.
Resolution 216-22 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Council Member Hertzberg moved to accept the Consent Agenda as read. Council Member
Bunch seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously.
Unfinished Business:
Reallocate CDBG-CV Funding for COVID-19 Outreach, Testing and Protection: A
resolution to approve a budget adjustment in the total amount of $557,298.00 to reallocate CDBG-
CV Funding for COVID-19 outreach, testing and protection. At the September 6, 2022 City
Council Meeting, this resolution was pulled for further discussion and referred to the CDAP
Advisory Board. This resolution was tabled to the September 20, 2022 City Council Meeting.
Yolanda Fields, Community Resources Director/Equity Officer gave a brief description of the
resolution. She stated this was presented to the Community Development and Assistance Programs
Advisory Board who met via Zoom and voted unanimously to support the budget adjustment.
Council Member Scroggin: I recuse from this item.
Council Member Kinion: Yolanda, thanks so much for working with CDAP. I'm glad we have
support from the committee. I think that's real important and I appreciate the extra time it took.
The City Council received one public comment regarding this resolution.
Council Member Kinion moved to approve the resolution. Council Member Turk seconded
the motion. Upon roll call the resolution passed 7-0. Council Members Wiederkehr, Bunch,
Turk, Hertzberg, Harvey, Jones and Kinion voting yes. Council Member Scroggin recused.
Council Member Kinion: This is a good lesson learned, to be sure we are inclusive, and now with
this new CDAP Committee we can utilize it better. I saw public policy work in this instance. In
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the comments, you will see there were concerns, but it's concerns that can be handled in the future
based on what we know from this meeting. It was a very civil meeting, from what I saw. Thank
you, Ms. Terry, for encouraging that.
Resolution 217-22 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Amend §157.02 Development: An ordinance to amend §157.02 Development in Chapter 157
Notification and Public Hearings of the Unified Development Code to require public notification
of administrative items and variances considered by the Planning Commission. At the September
6, 2022 City Council Meeting. this ordinance was left on the first reading.
Council Member Turk 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.
Britin Bostick, Long Range Planning/Special Projects Manager: This is an item that was meant
to be put into our code. It's a policy for notification that currently exists in Development Services.
I don't have any additional updates for the Council from Agenda Session. We have not received
any additional public comment.
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
unanimously.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Mayor Jordan asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed
unanimously.
Ordinance 6600 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Rename Archibald Yell Boulevard to Nelson Hackett Boulevard: A resolution to rename
Archibald Yell Boulevard to Nelson Hackett Boulevard. At the September 6, 2022 City Council
Meeting, this resolution was tabled to the September 20, 2022 City Council Meeting.
Council Member Jones: I believe the last time we met, Britin was tasked to reach out to the
business owners and those who live in close proximity to Archibald Yell. If it's okay at this time,
is Britin allowed to report back to the Council as it relates to what she found?
Mayor Jordan: What I told her to do was to contact business owners and the people that lived
along that area as a request. You did that, correct, Britin?
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Britin Bostick, Long Range Planning/Special Projects Manager: To give a little bit of an update
to the City Council on the last meeting, I want to confirm where we are today, a week later. I was
able to connect with several of the businesses and property owners along Archibald Yell. One of
the things we looked at in the last regular meeting is that there are properties addressed on
Archibald Yell. There are properties that front on Archibald Yell but are maybe addressed on a
side street. Some properties would potentially have an address change with the name change and
then some would not. I did my best to reach out to property owners and business owners along
Archibald Yell. We did have seven letters returned, so I was not able to connect with about seven
of the twelve property owners through phone, email or mailing. When I was able to connect with
folks, it was via phone and email. I believe the council has received comments from some of those
folks either in writing or perhaps phone call. In speaking to people, there were some concerns
expressed. There was an ask for an economic impact study to be done first, specifically for the
businesses that might be affected, additional public input, the city to pay business costs for the
changes to the name, whether that be for new signs and other costs associated, etc. Also, for the
city to widely advertise the name change so there would be recognition. One of the things I
highlighted for the council in Agenda Session were some concerns expressed by at least two
property owners that people know where they are on Archibald Yell but they may not be as familiar
with where the business location is if the name were to change. There are proposals to rename a
different street in the city for Nelson Hackett, such as; College Avenue, School Avenue, 15" Street
and 1 lt" Street. They said they think this was done with the MLK street renaming to start with an
honorary naming rather than going straight to the name change. A couple of property owners were
in support and business owners that I spoke with. Folks were maybe ambivalent. They said okay
and then a few were expressing concerns in opposition, which I've summarized for you. I haven't
had much communication since last Tuesday and so not a whole lot of update beyond that to report.
Council Member Scroggin: You mailed out to people on that street with the current name and
got a bunch of them back?
Britin Bostick: That's correct.
Council Member Scroggin: So, the names not working now as far as for those businesses,
because their mail is coming back.
Britin Bostick: It looked like, according to the U.S. Postal Service stickers, it was mostly address
undeliverable or no mail receptacle available.
Council Member Bunch: There were twelve addresses and you got seven letters back? Or seven
were responded?
Britin Bostick: I sent 20 letters out. Our GIS Map is wonderful in that it captures some of the
County Appraisal Data. The mailing address for the property owner may be different than the
property address itself. In trying to use any address that might work, I sent out at least twenty
letters and seven of those have come back as of today.
Council Member Bunch: Did you do your due diligence and check the county records because
that's where their tax record would go?
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Britin Bostick: It looked like, in a couple of instances at least, the property owner had sold the
property where their mailing address was and had not updated their information with the county.
Council Member Jones: Britin, you work with the commission and i have the privilege of serving
on the commission. There's been some concern this was frivolous. Explain to the council the
thoughtfulness in how this came about, the number of meetings, the diligence and how this
commission made sure the decision they made was conducive to what the Council wants them to
carry out. University of Arkansas history professors have been making sure the community is not
being educated against Archibald Yell but telling the story of Nelson Hackett.
Britin Bostick stated Mr. Jennings, the chair of the commission, was in attendance. She spoke of
how the commission started considering this item in their March meeting. She stated Dr. Michael
Pierce, who the Council has heard from in a previous meeting, came and shared the story of Nelson
Hackett and the work of the University's project for Mr. Hackett. She stated there were several
months of meetings of what it would mean to recognize Mr. Hackett in Fayetteville's history and
that began to transition to consider how it could be applied to the name change. She stated they
spoke about code before deciding to move ahead with the recommendations for the marker and the
street renaming.
Council Member Jones spoke about the impact of the story and the research with Dr. Michael
Pierce and Dr. Banton as it relates to educating and how far reaching that has been. He stated
teachers throughout the country were on campus at the University of Arkansas this past summer
to learn about this story. He spoke about Fayetteville's impact on international slave policy.
Britin Bostick: That is something Professor Pierce has highlighted in both of his presentations to
the commission. One of the commissioners asked about their summer program. There's an
elementary school teaching component that the University shares to support the Nelson Hackett
story being taught in school curriculums across the country. He provided an update on their
summer program, which was very successful this year.
Council Member Jones: Fayetteville's having a positive impact on international slave policy and
that history should be told. Thank you for the work you've done for the city and the commission.
JL Jennings, Member of the Black Heritage Preservation Commission stated the President of the
Fayetteville Evergreens Cemetery spoke about the accomplishments of Archibald Yell and his
signing of the document to extradite Mr. Hackett as one of his duties. He stated Mr. Yell did some
great things but that he was on the wrong side of history on this one. He spoke about Archibald
Yell being a founding father of Fayetteville and his legacy. He spoke about men like Nelson
Hackett who were robbed of their legacies and considers Nelson Hackett to also be a founding
father of Fayetteville. He stated all of Fayetteville's voices need to be heard and acknowledged,
including Mr. Hackett. He requested Council to support the resolution to rename Archibald Yell
Boulevard to Nelson Hackett Boulevard.
Kaleb Turner, Member of the Black Heritage Preservation Commission stated his thankfulness
to the Council, Britin Bostick and JL Jennings. He stated his support for the resolution and asks
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the council vote in favor. He read a paragraph from the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Editorial about the street renaming.
Council Member Jones stated this has been very challenging for Fayetteville and he has heard
the concerns. He spoke about how this is an opportunity to practice inclusion and he hopes this is
received in the manner it should be. He stated if we are going to empower groups to do this kind
of work then we need to trust them and not undermine their authority and voices. He stated when
we think of this street renaming five years from now, think about the impact it is going to have.
He gave a brief description of how this is Mayor Jordan's legacy and how the African American
community is eternally thankful for him. He spoke of how racism was declared a public health
crisis in 2020, but the City Council has done little since then and now can do more. He spoke of
how this is not just good for African Americans, but for other groups as well. He believes this is
the right thing, regardless of political pressure and hurt feelings. He spoke of how this is about
diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, which are the four things we cherish in Fayetteville.
The City Council received four public comments regarding this resolution.
Council Member Scroggin: I have an amendment I would like to propose. It allows the Mayor to
reimburse potential costs of the renaming of the street. Kit, what would I need to do to move this
forward?
City Attorney Kit Williams: It adds one Whereas clause, as well as in Section 2 the Whereas
clause would be added says, Whereas the Fayetteville City Council wishes to reimburse any
necessary additional expenses that renaming Archibald Yell Boulevard would cost existing
businesses or residents currently addressed on Archibald Yell Boulevard. Section 2 would say that
the City Council of the City of Fayetteville Arkansas hereby authorizes Mayor Jordan to reimburse
businesses and residents currently addressed on Archibald Yell Boulevard for expenses
necessitated by the change of name of the street. Later this afternoon, Council Member Jones asked
to do an amendment, which I think would not be contrary to yours, but might be combined with it
if you want me to do that. That would add another section; Section 3. It would state that the City
Council of the City of Fayetteville Arkansas hereby determines this resolution will not go into
effect until Juneteenth of 2023 to give businesses and residents addressed on the Boulevard enough
time to make a transition to a new name. If you're also in agreement with that, then we could
combine those and it would be a single amendment or if you want to hear them separately, we
could do that.
Council Member Scroggin: I would consider that a friendly amendment and make it with mine_
Council Member Jones: That's fine. Kit, thank you. When I reached out to you, this was part of
that amendment, and part of the discussion we had last Thursday when we met. We wanted to
make sure the business community understands we're working together in doing everything we
can to accommodate them. Britin reached out to the postal service and they had one year. If it
passes tonight and it's June 2023, they have up until June 2024 to make that change. They also
have an additional six months. We want to make sure we honor and do everything we can to
collaborate with our business owners. We wanted to make sure we are empathetic to their needs
and they have as much time as they need to make those changes.
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City Attorney Kit Williams: I would suggest either you or Council Member Scroggin make the
amendment and the other person second it. We could go forward from there.
Mayor Jordan: How much money do you think we need to reimburse these businesses?
Council Member Bunch: That is my question as well, is there a limit?
Council Member Hertzberg: Do we have any idea what we would allow the reimbursement to
be for? Is it just for changing addresses, postage or what? How do we quantify the financial piece?
Mayor Jordan: Paul, do you have any thoughts on that?
Paul Becker, Chief Financial Officer: It's not very clear what we are talking about reimbursing
them for. If you are going to reimburse them for expenses, there should be some type of individual
cap. We should call those reasonable expenses that are directly necessitated for the name of the
street. You could come up with all kinds of arguments for something that's related. I'd like to see
something talked about directly, necessitated and being reasonable by the naming of the street
capped individually.
Council Member Hertzberg expressed concern this amendment could include larger items,
which could rack up the total amount.
City Attorney Kit Williams: I should note from the language, it merely authorizes the Mayor to
reimburse businesses. It does not say must and it leaves the details up to the Mayor, as long as the
expense is necessitated by the change of the name of the street.
Council Member Jones: I'm thinking in terms of just simple postage. I don't know how much
that would incur. Perhaps just changing `whatever's required' to `address change'. I'm thinking in
terms of regular monies for postage.
Council Member Scroggin stated he only expects business cards to be reprinted and signs
adjusted.
City Attorney Kit Williams: One thing Council could do if you wanted to limit this more closely
is to say, `not exceeding $50 dollars per address.'
Council Member Harvey briefly spoke of how she had a business on 6th Street before it was
renamed to MLK. She stated she did not receive any kind of reimbursement. She spoke of her
concerns regarding if the city is going to reimburse businesses every time there is a street name
change.
Council Member Jones: The business owners have almost a year and a half to get this taken care
of. We're looking at Juneteenth, June of 2023, then they have 12 months. Then they have an
additional six months. That is 18 months. I understand there is communication that goes out that
the city will educate the businesses on how to do this. I was not prepared to ask the city to pay
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anything but wanted to be gracious and consider it with the time and making sure the business
owners can take care of what they need, as it relates to changing their address.
City Attorney Kit Williams: It seems like we have two separate amendments that need to be
considered. We should start with one or the other, either with Council Member Jones' amendment
or Council Member Scroggins' amendment. They probably should not be joined, from what I am
hearing tonight.
Council Member Scroggin: I move to amend to Council Member Jones' amendment he has
presented. I'm going with Jones' first, not mine.
Council Member Harvey: No reimbursements?
Council Member Scroggin: We will talk about that next.
Council Member Harvey: Okay, second.
Mayor Jordan: I have a motion and a second to do the street renaming on Juneteenth of next year.
Council Member Hertzberg: This would be nine months? Next June?
Council Member Jones: This would take place June 2023. They have until June 2024 to have
their address changed and updated. They have 12 months and then they have an additional six
months, so 18 months total to make these changes.
Council Member Wiederkehr: Do we need to vote on this first or do we get to have discussion
and then we can decide on this later, as far as an amendment?
City Attorney Kit Williams: No, this is something you should discuss since the motion is on the
floor, it's an amendment to the proposal by Council Member Jones to have the effective date of
the resolution on Juneteenth next year. You should vote on that before you get to any other
potential amendment.
Council Member Jones briefly spoke of how he wants the business owners to understand this
will not happen immediately because they have up to 18 months. He stated the city will not pay
for but guide them through the process.
Council Member Scroggin moved to amend the resolution effective date to June 19, 2023.
Council Member Harvey seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed
unanimously.
After further discussion, Council Member Scroggin withdrew his amendment.
Council Member Jones gave a brief description of his thankfulness and noted there needed to be
a larger conversation as it relates to street renaming.
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Council Member Bunch spoke briefly of how she does not understand the comments of how this
is erasing history. She spoke of how Archibald Yell will still be memorialized and how he is widely
commemorated in Fayetteville. She stated we do not have as much regarding Nelson Hackett and
that his story is integral to our collective history. She stated the Council should listen to the
committee when making their decision on how to vote.
Council Member Scroggin gave his thanks to the commission for bringing this item forward. He
stated he learned about Archibald Yell through a rotary program. He spoke of how there is a
difference between learning history and honoring people, and they are getting that distinction
today. He spoke of how he now knows more regarding the history of Archibald Yell and hopes
Council will vote for the name change.
Council Member Kinion spoke briefly about his family being six generations deep in Washington
County. He stated he recognizes that Archibald Yell did a lot for Fayetteville as a Founding Father
but that does not give anyone the right to be a savage. He explained how he did not know anything
regarding Nelson Hackett and having a street named after him will have people wondering who he
is. He believes the Council had a good discussion regarding two men that had an impact on the
history of Fayetteville. He stated he is happy to support the resolution, but he has empathy for the
business owners who are located on Archibald Yell Boulevard.
Council Member Wiederkehr stated he believes the resolution will pass and it could be a good
thing. He spoke of how the street renaming is a form of social restitution for the harm and
consequences of several centuries of slavery in our country. He stated this renaming will tell a
portion of the community they matter but there is a portion of people who did not feel like they
were included in the process. He spoke of how he wants to be cautious and give room to be
forthright. He explained there are people in Fayetteville that have mixed feelings about this, and
they matter. He stated the costs is not in business cards but in someone who spent years in getting
their name to pop up in a google search algorithm. He believes we need to be cautious in
demonizing one another in saying history is just history and we're just renaming a street. He spoke
of how we lose people because we do not allow them to feel what they contribute matters and that
works against us in being inclusive. He stated he wants Fayetteville to have room for a difference
of opinion. He explained that the city has a monument and that is a significant statement. He stated
a street renaming does not tell the people that come to Fayetteville who that person is, like the
monument does. He spoke of how we must be more inclusive with the community in the future.
Council Member Jones spoke of how he remembers hearing some of the same comments from
the discrimination ordinance in August of 2014. He spoke of how we have been educated on so
many things but when it comes to race, we become defensive. He stated the same thing happened
in 2014 when Council voted, and it came down to the anti -discrimination issue. He spoke of how
Fayetteville was fine and as a result of that, Fayetteville has one of the largest Pride celebrations
in the state. He spoke of his appreciation for Council Member Bunch pointing out the fact the
commission has done exactly what it was commissioned to do. He stated there must be room at
the table for minorities in this city and that he is advocating for his community but that doesn't
mean he loves our community any less. He briefly spoke of meeting with Chief Reynolds regarding
an issue in Fayetteville of African Americans being arrested for marijuana use, far more than any
other group. He stated Chief Reynolds met with his committee and listened, and they saw the
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change. He spoke about when the city placed the Black Lives Matter banner in Fayetteville, there
was backlash they addressed together. He spoke of standing with Chief Reynolds when the city
had the protest and the City of Fayetteville stood together and did not cancel each other. He spoke
of how Fayetteville is different and leading the way in terms of character, diversity and inclusion.
He spoke about the city's Police Department and how proud he was of Chief Reynolds addressing
the challenges that have come up. He stated he does not want this to be looked at from the
perspective of canceling and demonizing people. He spoke of how the city has addressed
differences in naming racism as a public health crisis.
Council Member Turk briefly spoke of her love for history and being on the Historic District
Commission. She stated this issue has been a struggle for her because she has heard a lot of
information from both sides and that has been very educational. She spoke of how this has divided
us and as we move forward, she would like to explore other alternatives. She stated honorary street
names with educational materials would be more inclusive rather than renaming certain things.
She stated how proud she was the evening of the Black Lives Matter rally and how it was a great
example of unity, compassion, tolerance and she wants us to keep that same feeling. She stated
she feels a great way to create more education would be if the City Council received a presentation
in the future regarding honorary street names like other cities have done.
Council Member Bunch: When we have division, that is when we grow. This may make me or
you uncomfortable, but we all grow through that. I don't think we will all ever be completely on
the same page. Everybody on this Council is trying to do the right thing. We will vote on this, if it
passes, it passes. If it does not pass, it doesn't pass. It will pass and it will be okay to change the
street name because everything doesn't stay the same forever. At some point down the line we
may want to change the street name again to something else. I'm glad we've had this conversation
and I learned all these things about Archibald Yell and Nelson Hackett. I did not know about Mr.
Hackett until I went to the website of the Nelson Hackett Project. If anyone has not done that you
should.
Council Member Harvey spoke of how she has heard about this for quite some time. She noted
how it took the creation of a commission to prompt the Council and she is glad it has happened.
She explained how she is on the Nominating Committee and part of what they do is choose people
from the community to guide and advise them. She stated this street is the entrance to Fayetteville
in Ward I and welcomes people to Fayetteville. She stated this will help people feel acknowledged.
She believes it is important to think about what the name is and what it stands for in Fayetteville.
She commended all the people who worked on this and those that came to speak for and against
this item.
Council Member Kinion: What I'm taking out of this is we need to have a procedure to name
and rename streets. It needs to be part of our code and inclusive. There needs to be notification of
people involved and it's important to get it done soon. The reason I tabled this two weeks ago was
so that we could have inclusive discussion and explore the impact of this street change. It will
impact businesses, which I hate, but I also have other values that are important.
Mayor Jordan: Thank you Council Member Jones for bringing this forward. Thank you to the
commission for their work on this, you did exactly what the Council wanted you to do. I've spent
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a better part of my life fighting for equity, diversity and inclusion. We fought for LGBTQ rights,
women's rights, African American rights, Latino rights and for other people of color in this city. I
believe in an open door, open mind and an open heart. No matter what the color of their skin,
religious belief, what country they come from or who they love, you accept them. i believe in an
open mind where people can express themselves. i believe in an open heart; you serve, rather than
being served. Those are guiding principles for me. People of color have had a tough time. I don't
know everything, and Council Member Jones, I don't know what it is to be black. But when you
know better, you do better. i didn't really know anything about Nelson Hackett until a couple of
years ago. When I saw that this was going forward and Britin mentioned it in a meeting, I told
them immediately what I was going to do. I would support this if I had to vote because I have
supported equity, diversity and inclusion for as long as I can remember. I appreciate that it's going
to take all of us in a unified effort to change things, but we're going to change things for the better.
I support the changing of the name.
Council Member Harvey moved to approve the resolution. Council Member Scroggin
seconded the motion. Upon roll call the resolution passed 7-1. Council Members Scroggin,
Bunch, Turk, Hertzberg, Harvey, Jones and Kinion voting yes. Council Member Wiederkehr
voting no.
Resolution 218-22 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
New Business:
Miller Boskus Lack Architects, P.A., d/b/a MBL Planning: A resolution to approve a
professional architectural services agreement with Miller Boskus Lack Architects, P.A., d/b/a
MBL Planning pursuant to RFQ 421-09, in the amount of $212,257.00 for the development of a
pre -approved building design program, to approve a project contingency in the amount of
$10,613.00, and to approve a budget adjustment.
Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director gave a brief description of the resolution. He
stated his thanks to Council Member Turk for proposing to take this item off Consent which
resulted in a well written newspaper article and several comments from both residents and the
developer in the area. He stated he is available for questions.
Council Member Turk: Could you describe the process you went through before submitting the
RFP? Did this go through Long Range Planning? I understand its part of the 2040 Plan, but was
this specifically identified as an action from the 2040 Plan?
Jonathan Curth: Yes, it is one of the implementation items specifically mentioned in City Plan
2040. It was discussed as a part of City Plan 2040's updating and adoption a few years ago by the
Planning Commission's Long Range group a handful of times and at one of the Planning
Commission's retreat meetings. It has been vetted and evaluated. A lot of Planning staff and the
commissioners have been watching these programs nationally and seeing what works and what
doesn't work. I don't want to call it novel because it has several years under its belt now and we've
had the opportunity to officially see what can make ours better.
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Council Member Turk: This is $212,000, which is significant. That could go to water and sewer
repairs and a whole host of other worthy projects we need within the city. Have you evaluated
other cities and how much their costs have been and the number of citizens or residents that have
utilized a program like this?
Jonathan Curth: We have looked at it and that gets back to evaluating what other cities have
done because the concern is that some cities, like with a lot of planning efforts, you'll adopt a plan
and it sits on a shelf and everyone feels good about it but it doesn't get implemented. We found
several instances where these programs were not successful and were utilized at a very low rate or
not at all. We sought through working on this contract with the developer to identify ways to make
this more successful. One of those is Miller Boskus Lack Architects, which intends to offer us
more floorplans and building types than we had asked for in the RFP. We submitted asking for
four to six and they suspected they could get approximately 24 out of it. One of the biggest failings
of these programs is there aren't enough iterations of house types. The way that Miller Boskus
Lack has looked at it through their work, most recently in Claremore, Oklahoma and Bryant,
Texas, is having a larger number of plans available makes it more successful.
Council Member Turk: What have the implementation costs been? Did Bryant, Texas pay
approximately the same amount we are being asked to pay here? Was it for a three-year duration?
Jonathan Curth: They did the program differently. It has had limited success. They bought a set
number of plans for the duration of the program. The hope is having that three-year access period
to allow the architect to substitute plans in and out as they see use. If they are not seeing use in
what was developed for the city, they could substitute new plans and that's what comes with that
time period. If it's a successful program, we've negotiated a rate to continue that license agreement
with them. That is not included in this but if it's something the Council sees appropriate moving
forward; we could go that route. To your question about costs, it is very difficult to compare these
programs. A lot are specific to one building type. In Los Angeles they have 12 or 15 different types
that are all submitted by different architects as part of the project, as opposed to using a single
firm. I have not found a program exactly like this that we can compare it too.
Council Member Turk: What is the track record of this company? I noticed they were the only
one that responded to the RFP. Have they had a successful implementation in a peer size city?
Jonathan Curth: The Claremore, Oklahoma project is the most recent one and they have seen
more usage. I don't have numbers of permits pulled but I do know they've been implemented in
speaking with their Planning group.
Council Member Turk: I would like to see that data. The price is high for only three years. It
would take 27 different houses to make up the $212,000 we're being asked to approve. I would
love some additional information.
Council Member Bunch: Are the plans not good for just three years but for a long period of time?
Saying it's only good for three years is the architecture firms contract to develop them, right?
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Jonathan Curth: There are two pieces to this contract. There is the response to the RFP, which is
the city's request for four to six designs. Miller Boskus Lack will work to give us a permanent
license to those designs. In addition to that, there is a three-year program where the City of
Fayetteville can participate in an online portal that is publicly accessible. Those plans can be added
to, removed, swapped in and out as they show themselves to be successful in the program.
Council Member Bunch: It's indefinite once we pay, the plans are ours, right?
Jonathan Curth: For the four to six we have as part of the RFP, yes. For additional ones, no.
Council Member Scroggin: Let's say somebody comes up with a plan identical to one of these,
do they have any benefit other than citizens have say in it? Are they going to get to skip any steps
in the development process? If they needed a variance to make it work, will they still have to go
for that variance?
Jonathan Curth: Correct.
Council Member Scroggin: If they needed a CUP they would still have to go for that CUP? This
is not putting them past citizens in any way?
Jonathan Curth: Right. The intent of this is to incorporate citizens into the process where they
aren't already and to develop plans that acknowledge our existing codes.
Council Member Scroggin: That was my understanding, I just want everyone else to see that. It's
not skipping the citizen input steps; it may add some because they get to kind of develop the plans.
When we talk about rezones, people are concerned because they want to know what it's going to
look like. With people being able to have input, hopefully that is the case and that it's contextual
to what's already there. The state has removed our right to do anymore, so I will be in support of
this. It makes sense to allow citizens to develop what may come next in their neighborhood.
Council Member Wiederkehr: I will be supporting this. I thought we were purchasing a
subscription for three years but at the end of three years we don't have any legal licensing to use
these preapproved plans.
Jonathan Curth: The ones beyond the four to six that are a part of the RFP response.
Council Member Wiederkehr: Sears Catalog used to sell homes. They framed them out, put
them on a train and shipped them to your community. The beauty of that in the community I lived
in previously was some of the most desirable neighborhoods were the Sears Catalog homes
because they fit the time and design sense of the communities purchasing them. I don't have any
concerns about preapproved designs. The real cost at this step in development is the time it takes
to get a plan approved and that's not staff s fault, that's just the number of people submitting plans
for staff to review. This would be an efficiency for even customers that don't use a preapproved
plan just by virtue of freeing up plan checkers to look at someone else's plans instead of these.
This is a tremendous opportunity for us. The cost is going to be greater than in other communities
because we're purchasing community meetings with the consultants and the designers present. The
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number one complaint I received is a gem in a beautiful pitch roof neighborhood and now I have
a three story monolithic block that's been built. It doesn't sit well with the neighbors that felt like
the architecture of their neighborhood is a value in and of itself. Alleviating one additional fear of
the community helps them get behind additional support, density and additional accessory
dwelling units. It's a terrific step in the right direction.
Jonathan Curth: Public input costs are a big portion of that $212,000 contract price. One reason
this local group is appealing to us is because it allows them the potential for more public input
whereas an outside firm often has large travel budgets that have the consequence of compromising
your ability to contribute more to the plan. One piece we have been able to negotiate is a market
analysis. This will be ours to consider as a part of ongoing housing dialog with the city.
Council Member Turk: I ask we hold this for two weeks so we can get information on the success
of more cities and this company. Citizens have concerns about cookie cutter housing so having the
input would be helpful. There is no requirement you use one of these plans or have a contextual
plan in an established neighborhood, right? This is just an option?
Jonathan Curth: Correct. The incentive comes with the savings and permitting times.
Council Member Turk: Could you describe how much time savings, if these were approved, for
the average homeowner or developer?
Jonathan Curth: That depends on the plan. When you submit plans to the City of Fayetteville for
an Accessory Dwelling Unit, for example, that could take anywhere from seven to 30 days. If it's
a homeowner doing it themselves, we have seen those take many months because there is a lack
of familiarity with basic development codes and standards. Sometimes to the point where months
extends into a year and they end up hiring an architect or a design consultant to do the work for
them. It gets complicated if you were to do an attached residential unit, whether it's a stacked
duplex or a quadplex. Those get very expensive and timely. A lot of those require an architect's
stamp as part of the process. It's very difficult to quantify how much time, but it can be anywhere
from two weeks to several months. When it comes to dollar amounts, I can't speak to whether
they're carrying a construction loan or what kind of financing is associated with it or whether they
have design professionals they are paying hourly for every revision or iteration. It's hard to put a
number regarding how much you can save, whether it's resident or developer.
Council Member Turk: With these preapproved plans, you wouldn't skip the grading permit and
many of these other steps. If you do, could you maybe expand or show that to us in two weeks?
Jonathan Curth: One benefit of doing these kinds of programs in established parts of town, there
is an established development pattern. Whether that's a platting that's identical from block to
block, so what that affords a consultant on a project is they can plan for an exact lot size where
they will only need to potentially shift the building footprint around to accommodate if there is
any sort of grading requirement or storm water requirement. That's where the efficiency is gained
in going through all the pre -evaluation with the departments beforehand so it's not something that
has to be done through the development review process.
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Council Member Turk: This would save staff time as well. It's hard to justify this amount of
money. The Sears Catalog, the homeowner paid for that, not the city. The difference here is we
are spending city money and if I can justify it by saving staff time, that would make me feel better.
Jonathan Curth: It's impossible to know how successful the program will be. On average the city
is approving about two single family building permits a day right now. If a small portion were to
filter out into this program it would have a meaningful impact on staff time to use for other reviews
or policy evaluations.
Council Member Turk moved to table the item to the October 4, 2022 City Council meeting.
Council Member Jones seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed 5-3. Council
Members Turk, Hertzberg, Harvey, Jones and Kinion voting yes. Council Members
Wiederkehr, Scroggin and Bunch voting no.
This resolution was tabled to the October 4, 2022 City Council Meeting.
2022 Millage Levy on Real and Personal Property: An ordinance levying a tax on the real and
personal property within the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas, for the year 2022 fixing the rate thereof
at 2.3 mills for General Fund Operations, 0.4 mills for the Firemen's Pension and Relief Fund, 0.4
mills for the Policemen's Pension and Relief Fund, 2.5 mills for Fayetteville Public Library
Operations and 1.2 mills for the Fayetteville Public Library Expansion; and certifying the same to
the County Clerk of Washington County, Arkansas.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Paul Becker, Chief Financial Officer: Annually at this time of the year we bring forward the
Mayor's recommendation for property taxes to the Council. This year we are recommending the
same amount we had last year. That is 2.3 mills for General Fund Operations, 2.5 mills for Library
Operations, 1.2 mills for the Public Library Expansion to pay the bonds, 0.4 mills for the Police
Pension and Relief Fund, and 0.4 mills for the Firemen's Pension and Relief Fund. 6.8 mills is
what the recommendation was for last year.
Council Member Scroggin moved to suspend the rules and go to the second reading. Council
Member Turk seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously.
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 Turk 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.
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Ordinance 6601 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk
RZN 22-037: (SE of W. 18th St & W. Custer Ln/Southern Living Construction LLC): An
ordinance to rezone that property described in rezoning petition RZN 22-037 located southeast of
West 18th Street and West Custer Lane in Ward 1 for approximately 3.10 acres from RMF-24,
Residential Multi -Family, 24 units per acre and C-1, Neighborhood Commercial to Ri-U,
Residential Intermediate -Urban.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director gave a brief description of this ordinance. He
stated the Applicant noted in their request they intend to develop it with single or two family
dwellings. He stated from a long-range perspective, staff finds the request to be complementary of
the future land use map. He spoke briefly of receiving concerned public comments and about the
tour Council had of the property. He stated staff is recommending in favor of the request and the
Planning Commission voted unanimously 7-0 to forward the request to the City Council.
Brian Teague, Community by Design: I am representing the property owner. We are requesting
the Council rezone this property from C-1 and RMF-24 to RI-U. Many might consider this to be a
downzone, but we are willing to forego the commercial use, multifamily use and the five -story
maximum height to trade that for what RI-U has to offer, which is three story height maximum
and more flexible lot standards. Hopefully those would help us navigate the constraints of the site,
stream, trees, utilities etc.
Council Member Turk: Jonathan, thank you for trying to address the issue with that slope of the
different height of the stream bank. Were you or Alan able to do some calculations or drawings
about how that might affect this property where those protections would be bounded?
Jonathan Curth: He was not. I learned a lot more about the streamside protection ordinance than
I knew before this day started. The way it's calculated is, assuming taking this property is a good
example, the stream is protected from property line to property line. When a property is reviewed
with a protected stream a point is taken at each property line and then every 100 feet in between.
If at those points that 15% slope is present, that sets a standard for that portion as far as its
development goes. You don't do a section of the stream the entire length of it, it's intended to be
a general survey of the stream along its route. It looks more like a polygon rather than a linear
curve.
Council Member Turk: Could you describe the variance process if this is approved and the
applicant wanted a variance with the streamside protection?
Jonathan Curth: At the highest level, streamside protection variances go to our Planning
Commission. Staff makes a recommendation like a Planning staff would on a Planning item.
Depending on what the variance is, could result in different conditions being formulated. The
typical variance the Planning Commission sees relates to disturbance in either the management or
waterside zone. If it's needing to place portions of a structure or a footing, Alan Pugh representing
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the Engineering Division, formulates a series of conditions that work to offset any intrusion. It
usually comes with a lot of streambank repair and native planting. If it's something more intrusive,
like a crossing, the expectation is any crossing will span the breadth of the streamside protection
area. If that is not feasible, the Engineering Division requires a determination of `no feasible
alternative'. When that is determined, there's a few different design options which could include
incorporating a culvert or boxes in the stream where you can cut out the bottom of the box to
preserve the stream bed or you have to bury the box to try to preserve the streambed. Engineering
works to formulate conditions that try to either minimize or offset the impact by streambank
restoration or native planting along the stream.
Council Member Turk: When you determine there is no feasible alternative, is that showing a
hardship? Is that the equivalent to that?
Jonathan Curth: It is. It can vary. It can be conditions on the site, cost related and it's one they
have to evaluate internally. The variance would still go to the Planning Commission for public
hearing.
Council Member Turk: When you model, are you modeling on a 10 year flood or 25 year flood?
Jonathan Curth: Mr. Brown, could you answer that?
Chris Brown, Public Works Director: The question is related to the modeling overall for drainage
or just for the streamside?
Council Member Turk: It would be for this piece of property for streamside.
Chris Brown: If you're trying to determine the limits of the streamside protection zone, you start
with the identified top of the bank. We typically expect the surveyor to determine what that is.
Everything is then measured from the top of the bank, so it's not related to a storm event or
anything like that. It's more the physical characteristic of the stream itself.
Council Member Wiederkehr: I received a comment from a resident this was within an
affordable neighborhood with modest homes and their hope was whatever is developed would then
be potentially obtainable to young families. I agree with the applicant about moving from a larger
five story apartment building to single family or duplex homes would be more in keeping with the
context of this neighborhood. I think that is a step in a favorable direction.
Mayor Jordan: I live in that area which is a very modest neighborhood. We live in some of those
houses the Kelly Brothers put together. Those are all pretty much scalable. Mr. Teague, how would
you get into that property?
Brian Teague: The most likely plan would be a driveway coming off Custer and going east. We
would most likely try to cross the stream and some type of courtyard style development in the
southeast corner of the property.
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Council Member Turk stated her thanks to Mr. Teague for being at the tour and thanked Jonathan
for organizing the tour.
Council Member Turk: Jonathan, could you put up some of the photos I took? It might be helpful
for the other Council Members that were not present at the tour. There are a lot of limitations with
what can be developed at the property. I am concerned about the stream and I hope there are no
variances requested.
Council Member Turk described the photos she took at the tour.
Mayor Jordan and Council Member Turk described the concrete that was in the stream.
Mayor Jordan: RI-U is better than a five -story apartment building. I was a sponsor of the
Streamside Protection Ordinance in 2011 and I didn't bring that to do variances on it. I did that to
protect our stream because of the, erosion we were having due to over construction. I want you to
know that in the future, if there is a variance in that streamside protection, I wouldn't be supporting
that at all.
Council Member Harvey: I want to hold this item. I have a lot of business going on with various
items and I was not able to invest as much time in this item for Ward 1.1 got to make it to the tour.
It's thick in there and my concern is just because we did this buying out of the West End
Apartments, I feel like we're going to create a similar type issue. I agree the RI-U is more
appropriate, but that isn't my concern. I feel like if we put any housing near the stream, it's going
to be something that will cause issues for residents and water. I would prefer for us to hold this
and reach out to more of the neighbors in the area.
Council Member Jones: I've had a few residents reach out to me and I agree with Council
Member Harvey. I would like to hold this and have more conversation around it.
This ordinance was left on the First Reading.
RZN 22-039 (726 W. Taylor StBDM Realty LLC): An ordinance to rezone that property
described in rezoning petition RZN 22-039 located at 726 West Taylor Street in Ward 2 for
approximately 0.70 acres from RMF-40, Residential Multi -Family, 40 units per acre to RI-U,
Residential Intermediate -Urban.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director gave a brief description of this ordinance. He
stated he has not received any public comment on the request and that staff recommends in favor.
Planning Commission felt similarly and forwarded it to the City Council with a vote of 7-0.
Gavin Smith, Civil Engineer stated he is joined tonight by the owner of the property and he is
available for questions.
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Council Member Kinion spoke briefly of how there is not a lot of residential single family in the
area that is not affiliated with the university.
Council Member Kinion 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 Kinion moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading.
Council Member Scroggin seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed
unanimously.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Council Member Wiederkehr spoke of how he feels the site is underutilized and it would be an
ideal property to redevelop.
Mayor Jordan asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed
unanimously.
Ordinance 6602 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk
RZN 22-031 (110 S. University Ave./Robson): An ordinance to rezone that property described
in rezoning petition RZN 22-031 located at 110 South University Avenue in Ward 2 for
approximately 0.20 acres from 1-1, Heavy Commercial and Light Industrial to MSC, Main Street
Center.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director gave a brief description of this ordinance. He
stated staff is recommending in favor of the request. He stated a member of the public spoke in
favor of the request at the Planning Commission. He stated the Planning Commission forwarded
this to Council by a vote of 7-0 with limited discussion.
Marcia Robson, Applicant spoke of her history with the property. She stated her reasoning for
the rezone is so she could potentially have a business within her home to supplement her income.
Council Member Turk: Thank you for explaining your rational for MSC. You can go all the way
up to seven stories.
Marcia Robson: I'm not going to do that. i can't afford to do that.
Council Member Turk: Your rational was just being able to live and work in the same and having
that flexibility?
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Marcia Robson: Yes.
Council Member Hertzberg 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 Harvey: I'm interested in this live/work conversation with this being right there
at the Ramble. Jonathan, when she is saying live/work, my ideal situation for an artist or for Ms.
Robson is she can have a shop underneath and then live above. Is that the case? She can have some
type of a small-scale production on this list and then potentially live above or behind, is that
allowed?
Jonathan Curth: That would be from a zoning standpoint under Main Street Center. Building
Code may be another question. I think what Ms. Robson's main concern is the Industrial zoning
doesn't allow her house as it is today. It could remain as a non -conforming use but modifying it
would be not allowed, especially not to modify it to a live/work arrangement. Given the terrain of
the property and the setbacks, she is needing as much flexibility as possible to be able to use it in
that manner.
Council Member Harvey: I just want to make sure, and I'm sure you guys have already worked
with her to confirm that. As we are looking at continuing to advance the Ramble and live/work
type situations with artists potentially having a studio space and maybe creating more artworks of
lower level and then living above. She was saying this was one of the only zonings available for
her to do that. I'm wanting to confirm that configuration they can be there at the same time because
I'm seeing the uses are there. Can we have a small-scale production facility and a home in the
same space?
Jonathan Curth: Yes. Typically, an artist studio would be classified as an office in our Code if
you're looking at the packet, Use Unit 25 is an allowed use. There are other zoning districts that
would afford her the opportunity to do what she wants, but probably not on this property given the
size and how the house is situated. That's where her concerns come from and Planning staff
evaluating zoning districts that would afford her this opportunity, how they landed on the Main
Street Center zoning district for this request.
Council Member Harvey spoke briefly of how she wanted to confirm the information for the
applicant and about potentially bringing it forward for other properties in Fayetteville.
Council Member Hertzberg moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading.
Council Member Kinion 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.
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Ordinance 6603 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk
RZN 22-032 (115 & 121 S. University Ave./Robson): An ordinance to rezone that property
described in rezoning petition RZN 22-032 located at 115 and 121 South University Avenue in
Ward 2 for approximately 0.60 acres from RMF-40, Residential Multi -Family, 40 units per acre
to DG, Downtown General.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director gave a brief description of this ordinance. He
stated staff did not support the request to rezone the property to Main Street Center. He stated the
Planning Commission amended the request to Downtown General before forwarding it to the City
Council by a vote of 6-1. He explained there was public comment received in favor of the rezone.
Marcia Robson, Applicant: These three houses were bought over the course of the last 30 years.
Two of these houses sit back from each other. One is on the 1908 map and the other is not. I suspect
it was built later as a mother in law house. There's 75 feet across the front of it and what I would
like to do is be able to separate those two houses so they each have their own parcel. The
Downtown General zoning allows me to do that because I can have an 18 foot wide lot so the
mother in law house that sits behind the larger house would fit in there and allow me to go ahead
and leave the larger house on the 50 feet. That was one of my main concerns. We added a parking
lot in front of those two houses so there is 50 feet of parking now off the street. It was originally a
single-family home until someone bought it and put a wall down the middle and made it into two
apartments. When we remodeled it, we took the wall out of the middle and turned it back into a
single-family unit. We left the two front doors and added the third door in front of the staircase.
Now that it has three doors across the front and parking, it lends itself for people to be able to run
a business and live in their home. Currently we're just renting it to a couple. Someone mentioned
it being a duplex; there is another unit over it. That unit enters in from the back of the house but
that's not the issue for me. It's just mainly being able to separate it and having some flexibility in
what people can do.
Council Member Turk: I'm wondering if there were other zoning types because there's no
Downtown General zoning type in this area. Are there zoning types that you all explored that
would allow you to split those two houses?
Marcia Robson: I looked at different ones and thought about Main Street Center, but Downtown
General is perfect. Right next to 115 is a vacant lot and there is another house after that and on the
other side of Putnam Street; that's all zoned Downtown General. It's the Eco Flats Apartments.
Further down the street from my house on the other side there's apartments and duplexes that are
al l zoned Main Street Center. It's not that different from the rest of the lots.
Council Member Turk: Thank you. Holly showed me the map a little further out, you're right.
Council Member Wiederkehr: Jonathan, this would not create a flag lot. This would be a separate
stand-alone lot with 18 feet of width and street frontage?
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Jonathan Curth: That's what she's described, yes. To Council Member Turk's question, there is
not a zoning district that allows 18 foot lots and the potential for having a live/work arrangement
on the property. We have RI-U, which allows 18 foot lots. All the other zoning districts allow 18
foot lots also and allow increasing degrees of nonresidential use like DG and MSC.
Council Member Harvey 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.
Mayor Jordan: Jonathan, have we had any public comment?
Jonathan Curth: There was a phone call prior to the Planning Commission meeting, in favor of
this item. There was comment at the meeting in favor of the previous item. I don't know if either
caller distinguished between the two items or not, but both were in favor of the two requests.
Council Member Harvey 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 unanimously.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Mayor Jordan asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed
unanimously.
Ordinance 6604 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk
RZN 22-033 (SE of S. Smokehouse Trail & W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd./McNeal Family
Investments): An ordinance to rezone that property described in rezoning petition RZN 22-033
located southeast of South Smokehouse Trail and West Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in Ward
1 for approximately 2.09 acres from R-A, Residential Agricultural to UT, Urban Thoroughfare.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director gave a brief description of the ordinance. He
stated there was public comment expressed in favor of this item and staff is in favor. He stated the
commission is in favor of the request and forwarded it unanimously 7-0. He gave a brief
explanation of the discussion from the commission saying they would hold a variance request to a
high standard.
Marcia Woody, Applicant spoke briefly of the McNeal family wanting the property to be rezoned
so a developer could potentially purchase and put the property to its best use.
Council Member Turk: Jonathan, I'm a little confused about the Master Street Plan where you
showed that slide. Where is that? Is that a requirement or a plan? Is it just something on the map?
If you could clarify I would appreciate it.
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City Council Meeting Minutes
September 20, 2022
Page 24 of 28
Jonathan Curth: As far as our Master Street Plan goes, it is the guiding transportation document
for the city. It is most readily enshrined in a map that shows all the streets of the city. Some of
them don't have any particular designation. Most of those are existing streets just as they are. There
have been specific streets called out in Fayetteville that are intended to serve a specific function in
the city, typically it's the movement of traffic and ensuring they are built to adequately carry
certain volumes of traffic. When it comes to this one, this street section was adopted by the City
Council. A section of Smokehouse between Rupple to the north and where Smokehouse transitions
into Hoot Owl to the south, this has been applied to that. When a developer comes into the city on
this or any other property, one of our first thoughts is to evaluate it in terms of our Master Street
Plan. Those are the baseline expectations for how they develop their street frontage. You hear me
talk about it in terms of if you build a house you might have to build a sidewalk or if you build an
apartment complex you might build sidewalk, curb and gutter. In this instance, it may be they
contribute to building it out to its parking on the west side, but then preserving that natural buffer
area on its east side. The Master Street Plan gives staff the leverage to be able to require a specific
design from an applicant whereas it might just fall to our standard street sections with sidewalk on
both sides, street trees and turf grass.
Council Member Turk: In other words, you're able to negotiate something that would be similar
to this 36 foot natural buffer area?
Jonathan Curth: Correct.
Council Member Turk: If you weren't able to negotiate that, this would be preserved because we
approved it? .
Jonathan Curth: This has a higher likelihood of being applied because you're not requiring any
street improvements. You're just requiring right-of-way dedication. In this instance, when a
development comes in from the center line of Smokehouse onto the property to the east, they
would have to dedicate right-of-way. It would encompass this natural area, which would then be
the city's to hold.
Council Member Turk: Thank you for clarifying.
The City Council received three public comments regarding this ordinance.
Council Member Wiederkehr: Jonathan, do you have an estimate on the amount of street
frontage it has on the 36 foot tree canopy easement? I'm wanting to see what percentage on that
frontage the 36 feet is.
Jonathan Curth: The length of the frontage extends south from MLK about 237 feet.
Council Member Wiederkehr: In addition to the 15% tree canopy, we are going to get the 36
feet of additional existing tree canopy that's preserved before the 15% gets calculated, correct?
Jonathan Curth: Yes, in the sense that trees in the right-of-way cannot be contributed to that
canopy requirement. The foresters don't count trees in right-of-way.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetieville-ar.gov
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 20, 2022
Page 25 of 28
Council Member Wiederkehr: Thank you.
Council Member Harvey 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.
Mayor Jordan asked if Council Member Jones and Council Member Harvey have been contacted
regarding this item. Council Member Jones stated he has not been contacted and Council Member
Harvey stated she has received letters of support.
Council Member Turk: Jonathan, we have 36 feet of right-of-way that's going to protect those
trees and then if we rezone it, there's the 15%. Does that get us close to 25% tree protection under
the current zoning?
Jonathan Curth: I've not calculated the amount of existing right-of-way and how far we go into
the property. I don't know that number off hand.
Council Member Turk: I'm guessing it's beyond our powers that we could limit this further, that
we just do a straight rezoning to UT? In other words, we can't place additional conditions on the
zoning. Would that be accurate, Kit?
City Attorney Kit Williams: That is correct.
There was a motion and a second to go to the third and final reading. Once the roll call began and
it came to Council Member Turk's turn to vote yes or no, she requested to know if the vote could
stop and she preferred to table the ordinance instead. City Attorney Kit Williams said, "At this
point I think the motion is being voted on, so we probably need to continue with the vote and see
if it gets to a 2/3 vote that it will require to pass." The vote continued as recommended by Mr.
Williams.
Council Member Harvey moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading.
Council Member Scroggin seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed 7-1.
Council Members Wiederkehr, Scroggin, Bunch, Hertzberg, Harvey, Jones and Kinion
voting yes. Council Member Turk voting no.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Council Member Harvey stated her thanks to Frank Sharp and the neighbors for coming together
to do the extra tree canopy suggestion and she is looking forward to seeing how it will come to
fruition.
Mayor Jordan asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed
unanimously.
Ordinance 6605 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 20, 2022
Page 26 of 28
RZN 22-036 (6040 W. Wedington Dr./Houston): An ordinance to rezone that property described
in rezoning petition RZN 22-036 located at 6040 West Wedington Drive in Ward 4 for
approximately 0.39 acres from R-A, Residential Agricultural to RSF-4, Residential Single -Family,
4 units per acre.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director gave a brief description of the ordinance. He
stated from a compatibility standpoint staff is in favor of the request and he has received several
public comments regarding being okay with the applicant rezoning the property, but they reject
the request that's currently at the Planning Commission. He spoke briefly of Planning Commission
being in favor of the request.
Mayor Jordan: Is the applicant here?
Jonathan Curth: Nikki Littrell is the applicant. I was not able to get ahold of them before the
meeting and I don't see them in person or online.
Mayor Jordan: Council Member Hertzberg, have you heard anything?
Council Member Hertzberg: We have not.
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 unanimously.
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 Hertzberg 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 6606 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk
RZN 22-038 (201 E. Spring St./Teague): An ordinance to rezone that property described in
rezoning petition RZN 22-038 located at 201 East Spring Street in Ward I for approximately 0.20
acres from RMF-24, Residential Multi -Family, 24 Units per acre to RI-U, Residential
Intermediate -Urban.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www,fayetteville-ar.gov
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 20, 2022
Page 27 of 28
Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director gave a brief description of the ordinance. He
stated staff finds the request to be compatible. He spoke about the applicant preparing a Bill of
Assurance to potentially include a higher standard of setback, but staff didn't feel this was
necessary. He stated the RI-U district offers inherent protections and contextual ization for the
neighborhood. He stated the Planning Commission agreed and the Bill of Assurance was not
forwarded to the City Council. He stated there was one public comment in favor of the request. He
stated staff is recommending in favor and the Planning Commission forwarded it to City Council
unanimously.
Brian Teague, Applicant spoke about the history of RI-U zoning at the City of Fayetteville and
stated he has used that zoning multiple times as a tool to create good development. He spoke about
previous projects he has built in the city. He stated he would like to see the whole area rezoned to
RI-U.
Council Member Turk: What is the frontage width of the current property we are evaluating?
Jonathan Curth: It looks to be about 50 to 55 feet, but Mr. Teague probably has a recent survey.
Brian Teague: It's 50 feet.
Council Member Hertzberg: Mr. Teague, I really like the two projects you have done in the past
and I would love to see something like that here.
Council Member Hertzberg 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 Harvey: I am familiar with Mr. Teague's work and I am a fan of it. I liked Mr.
Teague's recommendation of potentially changing all the RMF-24 to RI-U. I might follow up
about that with Jonathan Curth.
Council Member Harvey 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
wnanimously.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Mayor Jordan asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed
unanimously.
Ordinance 6607 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Announcements:
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 20, 2022
Page 28 of 28
Lisa Thurber, Communications & Marketing Director gave a brief discussion of the events going
on in the City of Fayetteville. All information can be viewed on the City of Fayetteville website.
There was a discussion when ward meetings would be held. Calendar dates are on the city's
website.
Council Member Jones announced a walk at Gulley Park to end the mental health stigma on
September 24, 2022.
City Council Agenda Session Presentations:
Agenda Session Presentation - Paul Becker 2023 Levy Request and General Fund Projected
Budget.
City Council Tour:
Southern Living Construction LLC Rezoning Tour (Agenda Item 2022-0787) Date: September
19th, 2022, Time: 4:00 PM, Address: Unaddressed; Four lots south of W. 18th St./W. Custer Ln.
on the east side of Custer. Location of prominent overhead electric transmission tower, Parking:
Parking is available on -street along the west side of Custer Lane, Request: Rezone the property
from RMF-24, Residential Multi -Family, 24 Units per Acre, and C-1, Neighborhood
Commercial, to RI-U, Residential Intermediate -Urban.
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113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov