Fayetteville City Council Meeting - September 15, 2026

The Fayetteville City Council met on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, to consider a range of items including appointments, rezoning requests, annexations, a bond appropriation, and a resolution for further study of the aquatic recreation center site. The meeting featured extensive public comment and several votes, with the most notable outcomes being the denial of a rezoning on Weddington Drive and the tabling of a resolution to spend $75,000 on additional site selection studies for the aquatic center.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the nominating committee's appointments for various boards and commissions (unanimous vote).
• Approved the consent agenda as presented (unanimous vote).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item B2 (Weddington Drive Rezoning): Several residents spoke in opposition, citing longstanding stormwater drainage issues, safety concerns, and the lack of a comprehensive neighborhood plan. Speakers included Karen Crap Hagen, John Benedict, Shannon, Nita Winston (who presented photos and videos of flooding), and Alessandra Brown (via Zoom), who questioned consistency in density approvals. The applicant, Sydney Wilson, offered a bill of assurance limiting impervious surfaces to 11,500 square feet, which the council accepted.
• Item B3 (Annexation at Weir Road): Sam Hampton and Alberta Dominguez spoke in opposition, citing traffic, sewer capacity, stormwater runoff, emergency response times, and the creation of a longer peninsula in city boundaries. The applicant, Allie Quinlan, presented the proposal to extend the Foxtail Meadows PZD.
• Item B4 (PCD): No public comment.
• Item C2 (Mission Boulevard Rezoning): No public comment. The applicant, Denny Warren, presented plans for a lot split with a private agreement limiting development to one additional home.
• Item C4 (Oak Drive Rezoning): Turner Tomlinson and a representative from Sunset Woods spoke in opposition, citing spot zoning, tree removal, and worsened flooding. Aaron Caldwell (via Zoom) supported the rezoning, arguing that stormwater concerns are separate from zoning questions. The applicant, Wesley Bates, offered a bill of assurance on setbacks and unit types.
• Item C5 (Aquatic Center Study Resolution): Numerous speakers addressed the council. Supporters of the study (including Bo Counts, Catherine Thacker, Amy Partacley, Rhea Rains, Didi Peters, Helen Ames, Mary Beard, and Aaron Caldwell via Zoom) argued for a transparent, fair comparison of sites and expressed concerns about the impact on Lewis Park, stormwater, traffic, and equity. Opponents (including Anita Perisi, Caroline Haruskin, and Allie Brown) argued that the bond vote had already decided, that the study would delay the project, and that the staff had conducted thorough public engagement. Several speakers disputed the accuracy of the feasibility study's criteria and scoring.

Discussion Items

• Nominating Committee Report (Mr. Stafford): Presented appointments for the Black Heritage Preservation Committee, Civil Service Commission, Historic District Commission, Planning Commission, Town and Gown Advisory Board, and Urban Forestry Advisory Board. No recommendation for the Arts Council. Approved.
• Item E1 (Tanglewood Branch Streamside Protection): Left on first reading at previous meeting. The applicant requested a tabling to October 6 to incorporate neighbor feedback. Council voted unanimously to table.
• Item B2 (Weddington Drive Rezoning): Kit Williams read the ordinance. Brittany Bostick presented staff's recommendation for approval (based on infill score of 8 and future land use) and the planning commission's denial (due to neighbor concerns and lack of neighborhood plan). The applicant, Sydney Wilson, offered a bill of assurance capping impervious surface at 11,500 sq ft. Council accepted the bill of assurance but then voted on the rezoning. After discussion, the ordinance failed (5-3).
• Item B3 (Annexation at Weir Road): First reading. Brittany Bostick presented the staff recommendation for denial of annexation (infill score 1-3, infrastructure concerns) but recommendation for approval of the associated PCD (to ensure compact development). The applicant, Allie Quinlan, explained the need for a second fire access road, the water main extension, and the benefit of adding density to fund infrastructure. Council left the item on first reading after public comment, with requests for more information on sewer capacity and cost-sharing.
• Item B4 (PCD for Weir Road): Left on first reading, same as B3.
• Item C1 (Easement Vacation at Rock Street): Staff recommended approval to allow a front porch. No opposition. Council suspended rules and approved third reading unanimously.
• Item C2 (Mission Boulevard Rezoning): Staff and planning commission recommended approval (infill score 8). The applicant sought to split a 0.2-acre lot and add one detached home. City attorney noted that private agreements are unenforceable. Council suspended rules and approved third reading 7-1 (Turk dissenting).
• Item C3 (Frisco Avenue Rezoning): Staff and planning commission recommended approval. The rezoning would eliminate an industrial island in a residential area. Applicant Will Kelstrom stated intent to build single-family homes. Council suspended rules and approved third reading unanimously.
• Item C4 (Oak Drive Rezoning): Staff recommended approval, planning commission denied. The applicant offered a revised bill of assurance, but it had not been received by the clerk. Council left the item on first reading pending receipt of the document.
• Item C5 (Aquatic Center Site Study Resolution): Councilmember Moore proposed spending up to $75,000 from bond funds for additional site evaluation and study. After extensive debate and public comment, council members expressed a preference for staff to conduct the evaluation without additional funding. The motion to table the resolution indefinitely passed unanimously.
• Item C6 (Bond Appropriation): Stephen presented a resolution to appropriate $176,529,470 in 2026 sales tax bond proceeds, allowing reimbursement of $3.1 million already spent and funding future bond projects. The resolution passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Item E1: Tabled to October 6, 2026 (unanimous).
• Item B2: Ordinance to rezone 0.55 acres at 1845 West Weddington Drive failed (5-3).
• Item B3/B4: Annexation and PCD left on first reading.
• Item C1: Ordinance to vacate 268.5 sq ft of utility easement approved (unanimous).
• Item C2: Ordinance to rezone 0.2 acres at 423 North Mission Boulevard approved (7-1).
• Item C3: Ordinance to rezone 0.66 acres at 710 North Frisco Avenue approved (unanimous).
• Item C4: Rezoning for 0.3 acres at 1137 North Oak Drive left on first reading pending revised bill of assurance.
• Item C5: Resolution to spend $75,000 on aquatic center site study tabled indefinitely (unanimous).
• Item C6: Resolution to appropriate $176,529,470 in bond proceeds approved (unanimous).