The Fayetteville City Council met on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, for a regular meeting. The council approved a consent agenda, adopted ordinances on property tax levies, easement vacation, and zoning changes, and discussed several development proposals. Two items were tabled to the October 7 meeting, and two items were left on first reading to allow for further review or community input.
The consent agenda was approved unanimously.
Councilperson Bob Stafford presented recommended appointments to city boards. Appointments included:
Ordinance levying 6.8 mills on real and personal property for 2025 (collected in 2026): 2.3 mills for general fund operations, 0.4 mills each for fire and police pension funds, 2.5 mills for Fayetteville Public Library operations, and 1.2 mills for library expansion. Staff (Stephen) noted the rates have not changed since 2016. Councilmember Moore asked about unused millage capacity; staff responded the city can levy up to 5 mills for the general fund. Councilmember Jones inquired about remaining debt on library expansion; staff estimated 4–5 years left. No public comment. The council suspended rules and passed the ordinance unanimously.
Ordinance approving vacation of 0.03 acres of utility easement to allow an accessory dwelling unit. Staff recommended approval with a condition that any damage or relocation of facilities be at the applicant’s expense. No public comment. The ordinance passed unanimously.
Ordinance amending the Holt Village PZD to adopt a new site plan, reduce Neighborhood Zone A from 9.9 to 6.1 acres, increase Neighborhood Zone B from 6.9 to 7.72 acres, and reduce minimum lot width in Zone B from 24 to 22 feet. Staff noted a clerical inconsistency in the legal description and recommended amending exhibits. The council amended the ordinance to adopt corrected maps and legal descriptions, then passed the amended ordinance unanimously. Applicant Mary McGetrick (Buffington Homes) explained the changes were driven by detailed construction design.
Ordinance to rezone 9.9 acres from Neighborhood Conservation (NC) to Community Services (CS). Staff and applicant Blake Jorgensen supported the change, emphasizing its consistency with the original intent to create a mixed-use corridor along Rupple Road. Council discussion included questions about allowed uses (e.g., five‑story buildings, liquor store proximity to schools) and hopes for a walkable, commercial hub. No public comment. The council suspended rules and passed the ordinance unanimously.
Proposal for a PZD on 49.2 acres for a market‑rate “build‑to‑rent” community (approx. 300 units, 22.36 acres open space). Staff recommended leaving the item on first reading to allow review of a new PCD booklet. Applicant Andrew Meltzer presented the project, highlighting amenities, connectivity to Underwood Park, and a reduction of 200 units from what is allowed by current zoning. Council questions addressed private vs. public streets, tree preservation, stormwater management, and compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods. Public comment included opposition from neighbors citing traffic and density concerns, as well as a student’s query about a traffic study. The council left the item on first reading.
Applicants requested both items be tabled to the October 7, 2025 City Council meeting. The council voted unanimously to table.
Ordinance to rezone 0.4 acres from Residential Single‑Family (RSF-4) to Neighborhood Services General (NSG). Staff recommended approval, but the Planning Commission had denied the request (3‑6). Applicants Wes Bates and Conrad Shimmick proposed a split: NSG for the existing house and RSF-18 for the remainder, and requested to leave the item on first reading to continue neighbor discussions. Public comment was strongly opposed to NSG, with residents citing traffic, safety, narrow streets, and incompatibility; one resident supported NSG for walkability. Council discussion acknowledged the need for compromise. The item was left on first reading.
Hey, good evening, everybody, and welcome to the Tuesday, September 16th meeting of the Fayetteville City Council. Clerk Paxson, will you please call the roll? Mr. Berna? Yes. Ms. Bunch? Here. Ms. Turk? Here. Minister Jones. Present. Mr. Stafford? Here. Dr. Jones. Ms. Moore? Here. Mr. Wiedaker? Here. Mayor Ron. Present. Please join me as we recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Okay, before we go to our first item of business, I want to just announce to the group that the City Council has received requests from the applicants related to items C6 and C7. That's an annexation and subsequent rezoning. The applicants have requested that that item be tabled. And I suspect that the council will act in that direction in accordance with that request. So if you are here to listen to that item or to speak about that item, there's a strong likelihood that it will not be heard this evening. So okay, and that brings us to our first presentation, which is the nominating committee report prepared by the nominating committee chair, Councilperson Bob Stafford. Thank you, Mayor. The nominating committee recommends the following candidates for appointment. For animal services, no applications received for the unexpired licensed veterinarian term ending June 30, 2028. For Board of Adjustment, public at large term, Peter Norman for public at large term ending March 31st, 2028. For construction board of adjustment and appeals, Andrew Brooks for an unexpired member at large term ending March 31st, 2030, and Kelly Freeman for an unexpired member at large term ending March 31st, 203030. For the Fayeville Public Library Board of Trustees. Public at large term ending April 1st, 2029. For Planning Commission, Ashland Holyfield, citizen at large term ending March 31st, 2029. I believe that was an unexpired term. Or no, we're carrying it through, sorry. For the Town and Gown Advisory Committee. And for the mayor's appointment for the U of A student living off campus term ending September 30th, 2027, that'll be Elizabeth Gunderman. And finally, for Urban Forestry Advisory Board, Carlo Bertani for resident at large term ending December 31st, 2027. And Joe Donahue, unexpired resident at large term ending December 31st, 2026. Okay. Um do we have a motion? Uh Councilperson Moore.