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Record of Proceedings

Fayetteville City Council Meeting - March 17, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, March 17, 2026
BodyFayetteville, Arkansas
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, March 17, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:59:03

Original source
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0:00

Okay, good evening, everybody.

0:02

We are going to go ahead and call the meeting to order, but I would like to just go ahead and announce we are having a little bit of a technical difficulty with some of our uh with council members being able to access Wi-Fi.

0:12

So we are going to get started, and then if we need to pause, we will, though I am hopeful that situation will be remedied.

0:19

So I would now like to call the March 17th meeting of the Fayetteville City Council to order.

0:24

Clerk Paxton, will you please call the roll?

0:28

Mr.

0:28

Stafford here.

0:32

Dr.

0:32

Jones?

0:33

Here.

0:34

Ms.

0:34

Moore?

0:35

Here.

0:36

Mr.

0:36

Wheedaker?

0:37

Here.

0:38

Mr.

0:38

Berna?

0:39

Here.

0:40

Ms.

0:41

Bunch?

0:42

Here.

0:43

Ms.

0:43

Turk?

0:44

Here.

0:45

Minister Jones?

0:48

Mayor Rollin.

0:49

Here.

0:50

Please join me for the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:14

Okay.

1:15

First on our agenda is a report from the nominating committee, which I believe council members should have in paper form.

1:26

Um is that you, Mr.

1:30

Berna, or is that Mr.

1:31

Stafford?

1:32

Stafford.

1:32

Okay, Mr.

1:33

Stafford.

1:34

I do not see that in front of me.

1:36

Oh.

1:38

Oh.

1:44

So uh the nominating committee had two days of meeting where we interviewed all the candidates.

1:49

And uh the results are as follows uh for our committees and board recommendations.

1:55

Uh for active transportation advisory committee.

1:58

We nominate Herschel Hartford for the American Disabilities Representative term ending December 31st, 2027.

2:08

For animal services, no applications were received.

2:12

Uh for board of adjustments, Sam Ada for an unexpired term, public at large, uh ending March 31, 2027.

2:22

For the Black Heritage Preservation Commission, uh two appointments.

2:26

Wendell Huggins, member at large term ending December 31st, 2028, and Nikita Mitchell, member at large term ending December 31st, 2028.

2:37

Uh Civil Service Commission, uh two recommendations.

2:41

Tommy Flowers Davis for public at our public at large term ending March 31st, 2032, and Peter Reagan, uh public at large term ending March 31st, 2032.

2:54

For construction board of adjustments and appeals, uh two positions, Ron Lord, alternate member term ending March 31st, 2031, and Jacob Sheetsley, alternate member term ending March 31st, 2031.

3:10

For the Fayetteville Arts Council, two appointments.

3:12

Bevan Baskin, Arts and Culture Resident, term ending June 30th, 2029, and William Watson, working artist term ending June 30th, 2027.

3:24

We're not done yet.

3:26

For the Food Commission, three appointments.

3:29

Marty Schmidt for the food retailer representative, term ending March 31st, 2029.

3:36

Emily Stone, citizen actively engaged in active agriculture term ending March 31st, 2029.

3:43

And Eliza Herrera, Hunger Relief Programs Representative, term ending March 31st, 2028.

3:51

For planning commission, we have uh two appointments.

3:55

Fred Goley, citizen at large, term ending March 31st, 2029, and Hugh Brewer, citizen at large term ending March 31st, 2029.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Land Use█████████████████████21%
Economic Development█████████████13%
Procedural█████████9%
Transportation Safety█████████9%
Public Safety██████6%
Public Engagement█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Affordable Housing█████5%
Cannabis Regulation████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Fayetteville City Council Meeting - March 17, 2026

The Fayetteville City Council met on March 17, 2026, to consider a range of items including board appointments, a private club permit, multiple rezoning requests, a major economic development lease for Drake Field, and code amendments. The meeting included public testimony and council debate on issues such as drainage, traffic, housing affordability, and airport expansion.

Consent Calendar

  • Items A1–A11: Approved unanimously. Items included the 2026 USGS Joint Funding Agreement, purchase of replacement plow trucks, consultant contracts, and various other routine matters.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Private Club Application (Muse Lounge): No public comment.
  • PZD 2025-5 (Crossover & Zion):
    • Nick Anthony (3301 E Zion Rd) requested “unusual oversight” for drainage coordination between two developers, noting flooding concerns and suggesting coordination with Springdale developments.
    • Colleen Gaston (3270 Rom Orchard Rd) asked for strict scrutiny due to potential impacts on Lake Fayetteville and Hilton Creek.
  • RZN 2025-69 (Dead Horse Mountain/Goth Farm):
    • Abel Tomlinson (60 W Smith St) urged preservation of agricultural soil and community gardens, criticizing conversion of farmland to housing.
    • Bruce Dunn (1629 S River Meadows Dr) expressed concerns about traffic congestion and asked for improved sidewalks and traffic signals.
    • Andrew Williams (2687 S Angels Dr) raised concerns about inadequate single-lane roads, flooding, and drainage pipe issues in the area.
    • Melane Tyree (River Meadows) objected to proposed row homes and flooding in pasture between Gulf Rd and the bridge.
  • RZN 2025-75 (900 E Ash):
    • Elizabeth Bainbridge (1735 N Wheeler Ave) opposed the infill house in the front yard, saying it would cover the existing house and look odd.
    • Barbara Cowan (1751 N Wheeler) supported ADUs and infill but suggested a more strategic, educational approach for the neighborhood.
    • Lark Hodzik (820 E Ash St) opposed the project, citing lack of parking, traffic concerns, and feeling “bulldozed” by the developer.
    • Ross Tomkins (1701 N Old Wire Rd) argued the rezoning does not address affordable housing needs and that large developments offer better opportunities.
    • Ella (617 E Edna St) opposed the project.
    • Clark Eccles (95 E Madrit Ct) supported the infill, stating it would provide gentle density and set a good example.
    • Aaron Caldwell (4261 NE Meadow Creek Cir) urged council to view it as a zoning decision, noting that current zoning already allows two ADUs on the property.
  • OSM Aviation Academy Lease:
    • Abel Tomlinson (60 W Smith St) opposed, citing noise from existing aircraft, reaction motorsports drifting events, and concerns about future jet operations and drone testing.
    • Mark Goodman (chamber of commerce) supported, highlighting high wages, workforce training, and economic impact.
    • Jenny McDonald (328 N Parker Ave, Greenland) expressed concerns about noise and lack of notification to residents.
    • Jeff Amrine (Startup Junkie) supported, noting aviation’s ability to change lives and fill a skilled workforce need.
    • Charles Wallace (aircraft owner and hangar tenant) urged approval, stating OSM is well-planned and will benefit the airport.
    • Pat Ross (Ross Executive Aviation) supported, citing decades of experience and calling it a “win-win.”
  • Paving Program Transfer: No public comment.
  • Detention Pond Prohibition: No public comment.

Discussion Items

  • Nominating Committee Report: Councilmember Stafford presented appointments for various boards and commissions. Motion to accept passed unanimously.
  • Private Club Application – Muse Lounge: Chief Reynolds detailed the applicant’s past ABC violations (tobacco, sales tax, etc.) and HMR tax failures. Applicant Mr. Khalid addressed questions about corrective actions, employee training, and financial stability. Council voted to approve after suspending rules: 7 yes, 1 no (Councilmember Turk).
  • PZD 2025-5 (Crossover & Zion): Development Services Director Jonathan Kirth presented updates on drainage coordination, topography, and traffic data. Applicants showed combined drainage plans with Chandler Crossing. Council debate focused on walkability, tax revenue, environmental impacts, and the need for oversight. Final vote: 6 yes, 2 no (Councilmembers Moore and Turk opposed).
  • RZN 2025-71 (416 S Willow): Staff proposed an amendment to rezone only part of the property to UN and RIU. Council approved the amendment and final rezoning unanimously.
  • RZN 2025-69 (Dead Horse Mountain/Goth Farm): Kirth reported on traffic signal studies and water pressure improvements. Public concerns about flooding, traffic, and road capacity were discussed. Council voted to suspend rules and approve: 5 yes, 3 no (Councilmembers Jones, Turk, and Minister Jones opposed).
  • RZN 2025-75 (900 E Ash): Staff presented alternative buildable area analyses and noted existing zoning already allows two ADUs. Public testimony was divided. Council voted to suspend rules and approve on third reading: 5 yes, 3 no (Councilmembers Wheedaker, Berna, and Turk opposed). The vote count was initially reported as 4-4 but later corrected to 5-3.
  • OSM Aviation Academy Lease: Economic Development Director Devin Howland detailed the five-year lease for hangar and office space at Drake Field, projecting significant economic impact (80–100 jobs, 192 students annually, $877,000 revenue). Council asked about noise, FAA regulations, workforce training for locals, and sustainability. All council members expressed strong support. Approved unanimously.
  • Police Policy Amendments: Chief Reynolds presented amendments to body-worn camera and professional standards policies. Councilmember Moore suggested annual public reporting. Approved unanimously.
  • Master Street Plan Amendment (D3): Staff proposed realigning a planned neighborhood link to avoid topography and floodplain. Council approved unanimously after public hearing.
  • RZN 2026-1 (3513 W MLK Blvd): Kirth noted the property is partially in floodplain but staff recommended rezone to UT Urban Thoroughfare. City Attorney Williams warned about inconsistency with the future land use map. Council suspended rules and approved unanimously.
  • Paving Program Transfer (D5): Ordinance to transfer paving plan approval from full council to Transportation Committee. Councilmember Turk asked about data-driven process and committee oversight. Approved unanimously.
  • Detention Pond Prohibition (D6): Councilmember Turk proposed prohibiting detention/retention ponds in CCR zones. City Attorney Williams highlighted internal inconsistency with permitted flood control uses. Council left the item on first reading to allow further refinement of language.

Key Outcomes

  • Board Appointments: Approved as presented by the nominating committee.
  • Consent Agenda: Approved.
  • Private Club Permit (Muse Lounge): Approved (7-1).
  • PZD 2025-5 (Crossover & Zion): Approved (6-2).
  • RZN 2025-71 (416 S Willow): Approved unanimously.
  • RZN 2025-69 (Dead Horse Mountain/Goth Farm): Approved (5-3).
  • RZN 2025-75 (900 E Ash): Approved (5-3, with initial discrepancy in vote count noted).
  • OSM Aviation Academy Lease: Approved unanimously.
  • Police Policy Amendments: Approved unanimously.
  • Master Street Plan Amendment (D3): Approved unanimously.
  • RZN 2026-1 (3513 W MLK Blvd): Approved unanimously.
  • Paving Program Transfer (D5): Approved unanimously.
  • Detention Pond Prohibition (D6): Left on first reading for further discussion.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, good evening, everybody. We are going to go ahead and call the meeting to order, but I would like to just go ahead and announce we are having a little bit of a technical difficulty with some of our uh with council members being able to access Wi-Fi. So we are going to get started, and then if we need to pause, we will, though I am hopeful that situation will be remedied. So I would now like to call the March 17th meeting of the Fayetteville City Council to order. Clerk Paxton, will you please call the roll? Mr. Stafford here. Dr. Jones? Here. Ms. Moore? Here. Mr. Wheedaker? Here. Mr. Berna? Here. Ms. Bunch? Here. Ms. Turk? Here. Minister Jones? Mayor Rollin. Here. Please join me for the Pledge of Allegiance. Okay. First on our agenda is a report from the nominating committee, which I believe council members should have in paper form. Um is that you, Mr. Berna, or is that Mr. Stafford? Stafford. Okay, Mr. Stafford. I do not see that in front of me. Oh. Oh. So uh the nominating committee had two days of meeting where we interviewed all the candidates. And uh the results are as follows uh for our committees and board recommendations. Uh for active transportation advisory committee. We nominate Herschel Hartford for the American Disabilities Representative term ending December 31st, 2027. For animal services, no applications were received. Uh for board of adjustments, Sam Ada for an unexpired term, public at large, uh ending March 31, 2027. For the Black Heritage Preservation Commission, uh two appointments. Wendell Huggins, member at large term ending December 31st, 2028, and Nikita Mitchell, member at large term ending December 31st, 2028. Uh Civil Service Commission, uh two recommendations. Tommy Flowers Davis for public at our public at large term ending March 31st, 2032, and Peter Reagan, uh public at large term ending March 31st, 2032.

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