Fayetteville City Council Meeting - June 16, 2026

The City Council met on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, to address several items including a new private club permit, a conservation ordinance for climate pollution reduction grant properties, a minor easement vacation, an amendment to align private club definitions with state law, and a major ordinance to regulate data centers. The meeting also included the nominating committee report and consent agenda. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Nominating Committee Report: The council approved recommendations for the Animal Services Advisory Board (Dr. Jesse Hargis, Aaron Ng, Jan Hicks), Environmental Action Committee (Ben Davis, Mary Hemati), Food Commission (Aletha Anderson, Catherine Cabazia, Ashley Utsy), and Walton Art Center Council (Mark Kenyon, Joel Frund). All terms expire by June 30, 2029, except where noted. Motion passed unanimously.
• Consent Agenda: The council voted to suspend the rules and accept the consent agenda as presented. Unanimous.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Brian Teague (Community by Design, representing property owners Chris and Mariah Looney): Spoke on the conservation ordinance, asking the city to keep in mind their adjacent property (3 acres at Razorback Road and Town Branch) as they work on residential development plans needing water access. Expressing support for partnership.
• Matt Van Epps (Watershed Conservation Resource Center): Encouraged support for the conservation ordinance, stating it allows utilities through the easement if no feasible alternative exists, and that the project leverages nearly $5 million in federal funding for stream restoration. He noted the properties were selected for floodplain and ecological value.
• Jeanette Byrd (Ward 1): Asked about enforcement and recourse if data centers violate rules, and what happens to the facility after decommissioning. Urged the council to consider these issues.
• Abel Tomlinson (Greenland): Advocated for stronger data center regulations, citing concerns about surveillance, AI, environmental impact, and the need for 100% solar energy generation. He also raised questions about NDAs and military-industrial ties, and urged the council to not be a "welcome mat."

Discussion Items

• Private Club Application (Oxbow): Ordinance to approve the application of Motelier Fayetteville LLC (doing business as Oxbow) for a private club permit at 2980 North College Avenue (former Motel 6). Applicant Charles Mackey presented details: the Overland Hotel will include a coffee and cocktail bar (Oxbow) with a 31-seat interior and 12 standing capacity, light fare, no conventional kitchen. Alcohol boundaries include bar interior, covered porch, pool area (plastic cups only), and courtyard; no alcohol beyond these areas. Operating hours vary (Sunday-Wednesday vs. Thursday-Saturday). The bar is expected to open January 2027; the hotel renovation earlier. Police had no objections. No public comments. The council approved unanimously after suspending rules to third reading.
• Conservation Ordinance (CPRG Grant): Ordinance to conserve city-owned real property under the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (left on first reading from June 2). After public comments, council members discussed the allowance for utilities through the easement if no feasible alternative, as confirmed by staff. The ordinance was approved unanimously on third reading after suspending rules.
• Easement Vacation (1660 East Cypress Lane): Ordinance to vacate 15.6 square feet of general utility easement to clear a title cloud for a homeowner; the encroachment was discovered during a real estate transaction. Staff recommended approval. No public comments. Unanimous approval.
• Private Club Definition Alignment: Ordinance to amend city code's definition of private club to align with state law, allowing sole proprietorships, corporations, LLCs, and partnerships (previously only nonprofit corporations). Chief Reynolds described it as a housekeeping measure. Unanimous approval.
• Data Center Regulations: The main discussion item. Ordinance to make data centers a conditional use in I-2 (General Industrial) zoning and add regulations on water, noise, power, setbacks, reporting, and enforcement. Mayor stated the city's position is to make data centers difficult to locate within legal limits. Council members Berna and Weedaker sponsored the legislation. City Attorney Blake Pennington presented details, including new draft amendments (e.g., thermal management plan, waste management plan, annual reporting, enhanced penalties). The council amended the ordinance on the floor to add a 1,000-foot buffer from any zoning district that permits residential uses (moved by Councilmember Berna, seconded, passed unanimously). After public comments, the council passed the ordinance on third reading with an emergency clause (unanimous). The council also committed to scheduling an ordinance review committee meeting to consider further amendments (e.g., microclimate impacts, emergency access, cost recovery, performance bonds, renewable energy requirements).

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval of nominating committee recommendations and consent agenda.
• Unanimous approval of private club application for Oxbow (Motelier Fayetteville LLC).
• Unanimous approval of conservation ordinance for CPRG grant properties.
• Unanimous approval of easement vacation for 15.6 sq ft at 1660 East Cypress Lane.
• Unanimous approval of private club definition amendment aligning with state law.
• Unanimous approval of data center regulations ordinance (with emergency clause), including an amendment for a 1,000-foot buffer from residential zones. The council will continue refining through ordinance review committee.
• Announcements: No meeting on June 23, 2026 (next week) due to five Tuesdays in June; city offices closed June 19 for Juneteenth.