Fayetteville City Council Regular Meeting – November 25, 2024
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Fayetteville City Council Regular Meeting – November 25, 2024
The Fayetteville City Council met on Monday, November 25, 2024, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included announcements, consent agenda approval, quarterly reports from the Fire and Police Departments, a discussion on the School Resource Officer program, public hearings on zoning text amendments and an annexation, and two evidentiary hearings on special use permits for group homes. Key decisions included approval of the consent agenda, acceptance of department reports, adoption of zoning text amendments with exceptions, approval of an annexation, and denial of both special use permit requests.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Meeting Minutes (October 23, 2024 Agenda Briefing; October 28, 2024 Discussion of Agenda Items; October 28, 2024 Regular) – Approved unanimously.
- P24-37: Rezoning from Residential 6 (R6A) to Heavy Industrial (HI) at 3424 Cumberland Road (2.47 acres, property of Kodjo Sam Kouassi) – Approved.
- P24-39: Rezoning from Single-Family Residential 10 (SF-10) to Mixed Residential 5 (MR-5) at 411 Jefferson Dr (0.32 acres, property of Sophia Rickard) – Approved.
- P24-43: Rezoning from Single Family Residential 10 (SF-10) to Neighborhood Commercial (NC) at 202 Hope Mills Road (2.62 acres, property of Saint Matthews United Methodist Church) – Approved.
- P24-44: Rezoning from Neighborhood Commercial (NC) to Limited Commercial (LC) at 822 Hope Mills Rd. (property of Robert Wayne Johnson and Pamela F. Johnson) – Approved.
- Uninhabitable Structures: Demolition Recommendations for 215 S. King Street, 1210 Durden Lane, and 850 Rembrandt Drive – Approved.
- Resolution Calling for Public Hearing regarding permanent closing of a portion of Ottis F. Jones Parkway – Approved.
- Adoption of Capital Project Ordinances and Amendments to appropriate expenditures for FY25 projects – Approved.
- PWC Items (Frame 5 Gas Turbine Compressor Discharge Casing Replacement, AFT Compressor Casing, Stator Vane Kit Bid, #4 Raw Water Pump Rehabilitation, and associated bid recommendations) – Approved.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Public Hearing TA24-09 (UDO Text Amendments): No speakers appeared; the hearing was closed.
- Public Hearing AX24-04 (Annexation – 3424 Cumberland Road): Three speakers in favor: Mr. Kodjo Sam Kouassi (owner) requested annexation to expand his towing business; Daniel Barron (Hornbeam Road) supported the business growth; Herbert Townsend (insurance agent) supported the applicant’s plan to clean up and expand. No opposition speakers.
- Evidentiary Hearing SUP24-06 (Small Group Home at 6302 Cool Shade Dr.): Multiple residents opposed the special use permit, citing incomplete application, inconsistency in definitions (small group home vs. assisted living), concerns about harmony with the single-family neighborhood, potential property value decline, safety, and the presence of another group home within half a mile. The applicant, Kendra Conyers, provided rebuttal, describing the facility as independent living for veterans with minimal staff and no 24-hour care.
- Evidentiary Hearing SUP24-07 (Large Group Home at 709 Hay St.): Numerous residents and property owners opposed the permit, arguing the applicant failed to meet the six findings of fact. Testimony highlighted that the property was already in violation (housing 10+ individuals without a permit), included registered sex offenders, lacked proper management, and was not in harmony with the historic neighborhood. The applicant, Mohammed (J&D Management), stated he was unaware of the permit requirement and that the facility houses veterans needing affordable housing.
Discussion Items
- City Manager Report: Upcoming events including the Night Circus New Year’s Eve celebration (featuring Arrested Development and Diggable Planets), holiday decorations, Holly Jolly Sing-Along Lights Trolley, and a children’s countdown at 9 PM. Reminder of loose leaf collection season and city office closures for Thanksgiving.
- Zoning Commission Annual Report: Presented by Mr. Larm No C. Noted 38 public hearings in 2024, 11 for variances, and that the commission followed planning staff recommendations 96% of the time. Report accepted.
- Fayetteville Fire Department 2024 Third Quarter Review: Chief Kevin Dove reported response times consistent with historical data, a downward trend in fire responses, concerns about kitchen fires and lithium-ion battery fires, and the busiest quarter for the urban search and rescue team (deployed for Tropical Storm Debbie and Hurricane Helene). 7 vacancies at end of Q3, diversity at 23% (goal 30%). 1,094 people trained in hands-only CPR; 241 smoke alarms installed. Report accepted.
- Fayetteville Police Department 2024 Third Quarter Review: Chief Kemberle Braden reported a 5.1% decrease in total crime year-to-date, with violent crime down 7% and property crime down 11% compared to 2023. Homicides down 56.75% from the previous year. Motor vehicle thefts increased. 27% vacancy rate. Traffic stops up 3%. The department has 6 SROs in high schools, with 4 more in training to reach all 10 high schools by January 1, 2025. Report accepted.
- Discussion of School Resource Officer Program and Process: Dr. Richard Watkins and MK Gamble from Science Policy Action Network presented a timeline for developing a comprehensive SRO program, including stakeholder interviews, site visits, and evaluation of support services. The goal is to present a scope of services for the contract with Cumberland County Public Schools by February 2025. Presentation received.
- Public Hearing TA24-09 (UDO Text Amendments): Staff presented proposed amendments to reduce the number of special use permits by over 50%, streamlining development. Councilmember Hondros moved to approve the amendments with the exception of “dwelling single family attached” and “dwelling two to four family” items, which will be referred to the UDO Housing Ordinance Committee for further review at its January 21, 2025 meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
- Public Hearing AX24-04 (Annexation): Property at 3424 Cumberland Road, 2.53 acres, requested annexation into city limits. Staff recommended approval. Council adopted the annexation effective immediately. Motion carried unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (9-0 with Councilmember Hare voting remotely).
- Zoning Commission Annual Report: Accepted unanimously.
- Fire Department Q3 Report: Accepted unanimously.
- Police Department Q3 Report: Accepted unanimously.
- SRO Program Presentation: Received; no vote required.
- TA24-09 (UDO Text Amendments): Approved with exceptions (single-family attached and two-to-four family dwellings sent to committee). Vote: 9-0.
- AX24-04 (Annexation): Approved effective immediately. Vote: 9-0.
- SUP24-06 (Small Group Home at 6302 Cool Shade Dr.): Denied. Motion to disapprove based on findings 2, 3, and 5 passed 4-3 (Councilmember Hare unable to vote due to remote participation).
- SUP24-07 (Large Group Home at 709 Hay St.): Denied. Motion to disapprove based on findings 1, 2, and 6 passed unanimously (councilmembers present).
Meeting adjourned after the final vote.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening to everyone. I would like to call the November 25th, 2024 City Council meeting to order, and welcome everyone. Um, first, I would like to invite Pastor Dunham from Great Harvest Global Ministries up to give us the incation. Welcome, ma'am. If I could have everyone stand. Greetings to all from Greater Harvest Global. Let us pray. Heavenly Creator, Divine Spirit, Source of Wisdom. We gather here today in the spirit of unity, seeking guidance and strength as our elected officials convene for the betterment of Fedville. We ask for clarity of thought, purpose, that each decision made in this meeting reflects the best interests of all of our citizens. May those who lead us be endowed with wisdom, compassion, and integrity. Grant them the ability to listen deeply to the voices of the community, valuing the diversity of perspectives that enrich our city. Inspire collaboration among the council and the mayor, fostering an environment of honor, respect, and dignity. Let us remember our shared commitment to serve with humility and grace, ensuring that every action today contributes to the common good. Amen. Okay, so I have some announcements that I would like to make. Um, first of all, I would like to have Miss Fateville, Jada Johnson to come up, and Miss Fayetteville team, Jenna Grace Nance. These young ladies represented us very nicely at the Miss North Carolina pageant. So we are very proud of them. So I'll let you speak and tell us who you are and what your CIAS is and all that good stuff. Well, hello, everyone. I'm so happy to be here tonight. My name is Janae Johnson, and I'm your current Miss Fayetteville. My community service initiative is called Power of Voice. And with this initiative, I equipped young women with the tools they need to find the power that their voice holds. And I hope that they use this voice to positively impact their communities. So far, I've been able to visit some of the high schools here in Cumberland County and really teach the young women not only how much power their voice holds when we're talking to other people, but when we're talking to them ourselves. Thank you so much for having me tonight. Thank you. Hello, everyone. My name is Jenna Grace Nance, and I am Miss Fayetteville's teen. I attend Grace Creek High School, and I am 16 years old. My CSI is freedom to be kind. My main initiative is to encourage people to always choose kindness, and that is our right, and it is to exercise it every single day with no matter who you're talking to or what circumstances that you're in. I think tonight's a great night for me to be here because I'm a proud member of the Lumby Tribe of North Carolina, and they are here tonight to be recognized. So thank you so much for having me, and thank you for all you do for the community. And if you stay right there, we'll get a picture. Councilmember Banks McLaughlin. Thank you, Mayor. Snout. Okay, there we go. Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim. Um, this proclamation is for the Native American Heritage Month. Um, if you guys can stand up and come to the podium. Come on, I don't mind. Whereas Native American Heritage Month is observed by acknowledging the contributions of Native Americans long before the formation of the United States, which we recognize and extrably woven into the history of this country. And whereas the contributions of American Indians have enhanced the freedom, prosperity, and greatness of the American today. Their customs and traditions are respected and celebrated as part of a rich legacy throughout the United States. And whereas Native Americans Awareness Week began in 1976, and recognition was expanded by Congress and approved by President George H. W.
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