Fayetteville City Council Meeting - August 18, 2026

The Fayetteville City Council met on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 5:00 PM CT. The meeting covered a rezoning appeal, a historic district proposal, appeal fee amendments, several property vacations and rezonings, and strengthened data center regulations. Notable actions include passing an amended appeal fee ordinance requiring three council sponsors instead of a fee, and tabling the South Fayetteville historic district for further review.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously by roll call vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• B1 – West Weddington Rezone: Nita Winston (1903 Weddington Drive) opposed the rezoning, citing 30 years of stormwater issues and concerns about increased impervious surfaces. Carol Traffigan (1840 Aura) opposed, wanting to preserve neighborhood character. Colin Allen (1915/1927 Weddington) supported the rezoning, citing infill goals, transit access, and housing needs.
• B3 – Appeal Fees: Margaret Britton (1931 North Wheeler Avenue) supported eliminating the fee, describing difficulty raising $667 for an appeal and arguing the fee was a barrier to democratic participation.

Discussion Items

• B1 – Rezone 1845 West Weddington Drive (RZN 2026-18): Applicant Sydney Wilson proposed rezoning 0.55 acres from RSF-4 to RIU to allow two duplexes (four units). Planning Commission had denied 1-6. Staff recommended approval. Council discussed stormwater concerns, lot coverage, and the submitted bill of assurance limiting density but not impervious surface. The item was left on second reading (no final vote).
• B2 – South Fayetteville Local Historic District: Staff proposed removing the Jefferson School (Potter's House) property to allow the district to proceed while applying for grant funding for design guidelines. City Attorney Kit Williams cited state law (Ark. Code § 14-172-207) requiring the council to either accept the report as submitted, return it to the Historic District Commission with amendments, or reject it. After debate, the council voted to table the matter indefinitely and direct staff to return the report to the HDC with guidance to consider a revised map excluding the Jefferson School.
• B3 – Appeal Fee Ordinance: Councilmember Turk's ordinance to eliminate the appeal fee for council-sponsored appeals was amended during discussion. Councilmember Berna proposed an alternative requiring three council members to sponsor an appeal (with no fee). After debate, the amendment passed 7-0. The council then suspended rules and passed the amended ordinance on third reading 6-1 (Turk voting no), with an emergency clause passed unanimously. Statistics: Average of ~12 appeals per year from 2023-2025; current fee $667.
• C1 and C2 – Property Vacations: Two vacation requests were approved unanimously: VAC 26-09 (0.32 acres of right-of-way at 322 S Buchanan Ave) and VAC 26-07 (0.212 acres of utility easement at 615 S Stone Bridge Rd).
• C3 – Rezone near W Catalpa Dr and S Rupple Rd (RZN 2026-03): Applicant Blake Jorgensen proposed rezoning 5.5 acres to RIU, CS, and CCR. Planning Commission vote 8-1 in favor. Staff recommended approval, citing compatibility and floodplain management. The council approved unanimously on third reading.
• Data Center Regulations (Final Item): Senior Assistant City Attorney Blake Pennington presented 10 recommendations from the Ordinance Review Committee, including additional application information, significant industrial user classification, battery storage requirements, noise restrictions, annual reporting, and stronger penalties. An amendment to expand the definition to include on-site/off-site private power generation passed unanimously. The ordinance was approved on third reading with an emergency clause, both votes unanimous.
• Underwood Property License Termination: The council voted to waive the 30-day notice requirement and authorize the mayor to terminate a license for two parcels adjacent to Underwood Park, as the property will be deeded to the city as parkland upon sale.

Key Outcomes

• B1 – Left on second reading; will return for third reading at a future meeting.
• B2 – Tabled indefinitely; staff directed to return the report to the Historic District Commission with guidance to revise the map.
• B3 – Passed (6-1) with amendment: No appeal fee for council-sponsored appeals, but requires at least three council members to sponsor the appeal. Emergency clause passed unanimously.
• C1 – Passed unanimously: Vacation of right-of-way.
• C2 – Passed unanimously: Vacation of utility easement.
• C3 – Passed unanimously: Rezone to RIU, CS, CCR.
• C4, C5, C6 – Tabled to future dates (C4 & C5 to Sept 1, C6 to Oct 6).
• Data Center Regulations – Passed unanimously with emergency clause enacted.
• Underwood License – Motion passed to waive notice and authorize termination.

Note: The meeting adjourned after this motion.